Alternative education provides programming for students who have been unsuccessful in their home school district due to behavior problems or anti-social behavior; students who have substance/chemical abuse issues; students who have been charged with/convicted of a crime; students who are in the country illegally or are awaiting a determination hearing; and/or students who have been removed from their homes by order of the court and are awaiting placement. Programming can be residential or school-based.
contact: Michael Furman
610-987-8656 ~ micfur@berksiu.org
Alternative Education Programs
The
Berks County Intermediate Unit operates secondary alternative education
programs for students who meet one of the following criteria:
 |
Disregard
for school policy and authority< |
|
Display/use
of controlled substances on school
property |
|
Violent/threatening
behavior on school property or during school-related activities |
|
Possession
of a weapon on school property or during school-related activities |
|
Commission
of a criminal act on school property |
|
Misconduct
that leads to suspension/expulsion |
|
Habitual
truancy |
The
goal is for students to return to their home schools. Mathematics,
language arts, social sciences, and combined sciences form the core
curriculum. In addition, students are involved in activities that help
them with daily living skills, social skills, career exploration and
pre-employment skills. Two programs serve Berks County: Alsace in the
eastern section and Wernersville in the western section of the county.
contact: Michael Furman
610-987-8656 ~ micfur@berksiu.org
Berks County Prison
BCIU
provides instructional services to youth who have been charged with, and/or
convicted of, an adult crime. They receive academic diagnostics and remedial
education, allowing them to work toward a high school diploma or general
education diploma.
contact: Michael Furman
610-987-8656 ~ micfur@berksiu.org
Berks County Youth Center
BCIU operates two programs at the Berks County Youth Center. The Youth Shelter program is for youth who have been removed from their homes by order of the court and are awaiting placement by the court. The Youth Detention program is for youth who are awaiting adjudication for an alleged criminal offense.
contact: Michael Furman
610-987-8656 ~ micfur@berksiu.org
Caron Foundation (Primary Care and Extended Care)
Berks County Intermediate Unit provides basic instruction to students who have been placed in
a Caron Foundation program due to chemical dependency. This short-term educational program prepares students for re-entry into their regular school environment while they are engaged in residential treatment for recovery from addiction.
contact: Michael Furman
610-987-8656 ~ micfur@berksiu.org
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
BCIU provides educational services at Berks Heim to foreign youth who are in the United States without a valid visa and who are awaiting a determination hearing.
contact: Michael Furman
610-987-8656 ~ micfur@berksiu.org
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The IOP
program is a joint effort of
The Reading Hospital and Medical Center’s Center for Mental Health and the
Berks County Intermediate Unit. Service Access Management and the Council on
Chemical Abuse are key components.
MISA services adolescents who have
dual disorders, mental health and drug and alcohol-related diagnoses. The
therapy regime includes group, individual sessions, family sessions, and
psychiatric evaluation and follow up. The educational component is provided by
the Berks County Intermediate Unit.
The
program is currently located at the Alsace Alternative Education building, 17
Basket Road, Reading, Pa.
contact: Michael Furman
610-987-8656 ~ micfur@berksiu.org
Migrant
Education
The purpose of the Migrant Education program is to help migrant children remain in their grade level and progress academically to their full potential. Children are considered migrant if their parents or guardians have moved from one district to another within the last three years in order to obtain temporary or seasonal work in agriculture or other related job activities.
Student support specialists provide in-home instruction in a family-based program. Parents are involved and are encouraged to follow up on the teacher's activities. In conjunction with local school districts, migrant staff work directly with students in junior and senior high schools. This program does not take the place of existing school district programs. Migrant teachers provide some school tutorial services throughout the regular school year and during summer academic and enrichment activities. This service is available in selected schools.
contact: Sergio Mery
610-987-8493 ~ sermer@berksiu.org
Partners Program
The
Partners Program at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center is a short-term
therapeutic program for students in need of mental health services.
Psychiatric evaluation and a counseling component work hand in hand with the
educational curriculum. The program is operated in conjunction with the
Reading Hospital Center for Mental Health, Caron Foundation, and the Berks
County Intermediate Unit.
contact: Michael Furman
610-987-8656 ~ micfur@berksiu.org
Services to Pregnant & Parenting Teens
BCIU provides services to pregnant and parenting students in Berks County schools in an effort to encourage them to remain in school and graduate. Services include personal and vocational counseling, parenting and life skills training, and assistance in acquiring quality child care. Services are provided at the school district and referrals are received via the school nurse or guidance counselor.
contact: Lisa Jims
610-987-8628 ~ lisjim@berksiu.org, or
Christina DeJesus
610-987-8629 ~ chrdej@berksiu.org
Transitions Psycho-Educational Program
In cooperation with the Reading Hospital, BCIU opened the Transitions Psycho-Educational Program for students who may have been hospitalized or who are having mental health issues. BCIU teaching staff provide on-site academic instruction, while hospital personnel deliver a strong counseling component. Students benefit from these dual supports as they gain the necessary skills needed to re-enter their home districts.
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