P.O. Box 1722
10102 Country Club Road, S.E.
Cumberland, Maryland 21501
Phone: 301-777-2258
Fax: 301-777-2066

Program Director: Bonnie Fetzer, M. Ed.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ALLEGANY COUNTY

The Jefferson School at Finan Center for Students with Emotional Disturbance

The Jefferson School at Finan Center is a program of Sheppard Pratt Health System, Inc. Located in Allegany County, the school serves as a day school placement for students who have emotional, behavioral and learning needs. The school is a coeducational program for 35 middle and high school students whose emotional problems impede their successful functioning in a less restrictive educational environment. The program offers four classrooms for students ages 12 to 21 in grades 6 to 12 with a primary disability of emotional disturbance. The Jefferson School at Finan Center is academically, psychologically and socially oriented and concerned with the development of the whole child.

Academic Goals
Utilizing the Allegany County Public School's curriculum and Maryland State Department of Education’s Voluntary State Curriculum, areas of study include mathematics, English, social studies, science, fine arts, physical education, health education, technology education, career education, and remedial education. The Jefferson School at Finan Center provides classes that enable students to improve in reading, writing, mathematics and oral/written language; gain awareness of the social and physical environment; build greater capacities to cope with school behavioral expectations; and participate in the development of pre-vocational, vocational and transition skills.

The school’s purpose is to provide a safe, supportive and structured educational environment. Small class size, together with a low student-to-teacher ratio, allow for maximum communication within the school team, highly individualized attention to students’ needs, and the flexibility to respond quickly to changes and growth in the students. The school operates a 12 month, 214 day program, which is comprised of four quarters and a four week summer session. The school day consists of homeroom period, four class periods in the morning, a lunch period and two class periods in the afternoon.

Therapy-Based Program
Individualized instruction
Related educational services
Individual, group and family therapy
Psychiatric services
Crisis intervention
Parent/guardian involvement

A comprehensive range of treatment is carefully integrated into the educational plan for each student. Individual psychotherapy is undertaken weekly so the student may become aware of the issues related to his/her challenges and may rediscover the skills, attitudes and adaptive capabilities that have been lost or compromised by his/her emotional or developmental difficulties. Each student participates in weekly group psychotherapy to gain an understanding and improvement of peer relationships and to learn to work effectively in groups. Each family is encouraged to be involved in weekly family therapy to maximize the family’s potential to support, nurture and enhance the growth and development of the child.

Referrals
Local educational agencies, parents, and other area schools can refer prospective students by submitting educational records. Their records are reviewed by the School Admissions Committee. If a candidate is appropriate, an interview with the student and his/her family is arranged. A final decision is made during the week following the interview and all parties are informed. A date for enrollment is set, or the family and referring agency are given the specific reasons for the rejection.

Eligibility Criteria

The prospective student must have an emotionally handicapping condition which interferes with his/her education.
The student must have at least average intelligence and be able to function within the parameters of the program.
The student must be willing and able to participate in individual and group psychotherapy
The student’s parents/guardian must make a commitment to become involved in family therapy.

All students enrolled must have been approved for placement by the local educational agency with such approval in place prior to enrollment. Families who wish to pay privately may do so if the student meets admission criteria.

Vocational Planning
A Work Study Program offers all students an opportunity to experience a variety of career options and to earn credits for actual paid employment while attending school. This program assists the Jefferson School at Finan Center students with transition to the world of work after graduation and is generally offered in the senior year. Preparation for both the PSAT and SAT exams is offered for students wishing to pursue education at the college level.

Staff at the Jefferson School at Finan Center work closely with students’ home schools to facilitate smooth transitions to less restrictive settings. This includes systemic conferencing and communication with referring and responsible local education agencies.

Staff
The Jefferson School at Finan Center employs teachers who are dually certified in a curriculum specialty and special education. Other educational support staff include teacher assistants, 1:1 instructional aides, a transition coordinator, and two full time resource counselors whose main tasks are de-escalation, crisis intervention and milieu management. There is a registered nurse on campus and medication is monitored by a psychiatrist. Social workers provide services for the clinical component of the program and a clinical coordinator manages the clinicians and directs clinical training for all staff. A psychologist, speech therapist, and occupational therapist contracted by Allegany County Public Schools are available as needed. The Jefferson School at Finan Center is administered by a full time principal, with support from an administrative assistant and school secretary.

For Information, Call:

301-777-2258
Fax: 301-777-2066

Bonnie Fetzer, M. Ed.
Principal/Education Director

The services and facilities of Sheppard Pratt and its affiliates are operated on a nondiscriminatory basis. This policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or any other basis proscribed by law. It applies to the provision of services, use of facilities, granting of accommodations, and opportunity to participate in programs or activities.

Directions:
From Baltimore: Take 695 to I-70 W. at Hancock. Continue on I-68 W. to Cumberland. Take Exit#44 (Willowbrook Rd/Baltimore Ave.). Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp. Turn left onto Country Club Road look for sign "Next left to Brandenburg and Finan Centers." Less than 1 mile take right at Center entrance. Jefferson School at Finan Center is located in the Finan Center at top of entrance road turn left onto "Autumn Drive." Jefferson School is straight ahead at the loading dock entrance. Doors to building are to the right of the loading dock.

From Washington: Take I-270 W. to Frederick. Take I-70 W. from Frederick to Hancock. I-68 W. to Cumberland. Take Exit#44 (Willowbrook Rd/Baltimore Ave.). Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp. Turn left onto Country Club Road look for sign "Next left to Brandenburg and Finan Centers." Less than 1 mile take right at Center entrance. Jefferson School is located in the Finan Center at top of entrance road turn left onto "Autumn Drive." Jefferson School is straight ahead at the loading dock entrance. Doors to building are to the right of the loading dock.