What are Individual Service Plans (ISPs) at Timber Ridge School?

Nestled in the heart of Frederick County, Virginia, there is a smattering of rustic wooden buildings set against sprawling fields. The cacophony of boys’ voices can be heard in the distance, on their way to a counseling session, where they will review their progress individually with a licensed counselor. 

This is Timber Ridge School, a residential treatment center for serving adolescent boys with mental health, behavioral, and/or substance abuse issues, and at the heart of our mission to empower these boys exists one term: Individual Service Plan (ISP).

At Timber Ridge School, ISP is developed with specific objectives initiated on the basis of specific needs demonstrated by students and families. Here are a few examples of the types of services that TRS provides students as a part of their ISP: 

 

1. Developmental-behavioral support program

This program provides a structured environment where students receive individualized support in order to develop essential life skills, self-regulation techniques, and positive behavioral patterns. 

 

2. Trauma-informed care

Traditionally, residential care has been characterized as a points-and-level system. However, Timber Ridge is making an intentional shift toward a fully trauma-informed approach. 

As CEO Derek Unger explains, “One of the goals for a trauma-informed approach is to support kids, adolescents and their caregivers through active engagement in the world, through empowering and a positive future versus living in survival mode.”

This program helps recognize triggers and fosters the youth’s awareness and skill in identifying, understanding, tolerating, and managing their internal experience.

 

3. Family engagement to build healthy, supportive relationships and improve family function

One of the first priorities Timber Ridge implements is to establish a connection with the child’s home community. We believe family engagement begins before a child steps foot on campus. Interviews are held with family members during the pre-placement assessment and we even invite families to come and tour the facility. 

Weekly family sessions are also put in place to help facilitate open communication. Unger says, “One of the good things that came out of the pandemic was Zoom. So if parents live far away, then at a minimum they are going to get a weekly Zoom family session. We want to get them back into their home and get them back into their community.”

 

4. Clinical services providing individual and group counseling and if appropriate, substance abuse groups

Counseling sessions are implemented based on the individual needs of the student. For students requiring additional support, specialized substance abuse groups are also available. These targeted interventions help them overcome addiction and develop strategies for long-term recovery.

Learn more about this program here. 

 

5. Educational services in a supportive, structured setting

Our educational services provide a supportive, structured setting designed to help students thrive academically.

Serving grades six through twelve, all of our teachers are licensed and often have dual endorsements in special education and their core field. We take pride in our rigorous program, which boasts a 94% graduation rate. Our year-round, block schedule allows students to earn eight credits annually, compared to the typical seven, with additional opportunities over the summer. 

We tailor education to each student’s individual needs, helping them stay on track to graduate, whether through traditional coursework or our federally mandated GED program. 

With personalized support, tutoring services, and access to learning resources, we help students reach their academic potential and move forward with confidence. In addition to academics, we also have a well-established athletics program that allows students to participate in interscholastic athletics such as football, soccer, wrestling, basketball, track, and cross country.

Learn more about our Academic Day School here. 

 

6. Medication management

In some cases, medication management is a necessary part of a student’s program and well-being.

Our professionals work closely with families and healthcare providers to ensure medications are safely administered, monitored, and adjusted as needed. Registered and licensed practical nurses are on campus or on-call, providing 24/7 support to our students. Our Health Services department maintains records, administers medication, assesses medical needs, and schedules necessary medical and dental appointments. 

Our nurses arrange a psychiatrist for a student’s medication management. The psychiatrist provides an initial evaluation for psychotropic medications, makes provisions for prescriptions, and monitors ongoing medication use.

 

7. Transitional services for continued success post-discharge

The My Next Step transitional living program at Timber Ridge School is designed for youth who may be wards of the state or lack a clear discharge destination. 

This program helps students build independence and prepare for adulthood by engaging them with the community through part-time jobs or college enrollment. Students learn essential life skills such as budgeting, opening checking accounts, and obtaining driver’s licenses. 

For high school graduates, the program also offers access to the Career Tech and Education Trades Academy, providing hands-on training and job placement assistance to ensure a smooth transition into the workforce or further education.  

 

8. Aftercare recommendations.

When it comes time for a student to leave, we take great care in curating a personalized aftercare plan to support their long-term success. 

By working with their family and community, as well as setting them up with resources, our goal is to ensure they continue to build on the progress they achieved during their time in our program.  

Learn more about our Transitional Living Services program here. 

 

Providing a Supportive Environment is the Key to Success

At Timber Ridge, we are dedicated to providing a comprehensive and supportive environment that promotes both academic and personal growth. From our trauma-informed approach and specialized services to our individualized educational programs and aftercare support, we focus on equipping each student with the skills, resources, and confidence they need to succeed in the next phase of their lives. Learn more about our admissions process here.

A Day in the Life of Students at Timber Ridge School

Timber Ridge School provides a supportive and therapeutic environment for young men 10-18 who face various emotional and behavioral challenges. We aim to help our students discover their potential and develop the skills they need to succeed through our individualized program.

But what does it actually look like to be a student at Timber Ridge School?

We invite you to meet two of our amazing students (who we’ll refer to as Sam* and Melvin*, for anonymity) to receive a first-hand glimpse into the routines, experiences, and personal growth of students at Timber Ridge School. 

Daily Routines at Timber Ridge School

Both students describe a highly structured day that begins early in the morning and includes a mix of academic work, therapy, chores, and recreational activities.

Sam describes an early start to the day at Timber Ridge School. “I wake up at 6:50 AM. I brush my teeth, get dressed, and do a chore every morning. After that, I do a goal review.” 

This routine sets the tone for a day of personal growth and accountability. 

Classes begin around 8:45 AM. and continue until 3:45 PM and are offered on an alternating A/B block schedule. First to fourth block classes are on schedule “A” days and fifth to eighth block classes are “B” days. Sam describes his typical schedule: 

“First block of classes from 8:45 to 10:15-ish. Second block, I usually have Mr. Henry in the gym (for computer lab). Third block I go to history. Then I have 30 minutes for lunch, then more classes for an hour. Fourth block, I usually have science.”

After school, the focus shifts to personal development and recreation. Melvin shares, “After work (in the dining hall on campus), I go to my room for transition where we sit in our room, do homework, whatever we need to do to settle down from the school day. We’ll do another goal review, then come out and do a cottage meeting in the lounge where we set some goals for ourselves.”

Goals are a crucial piece of Timber Ridge School’s program. The structured environment, therapeutic integration, and regular accountability on goals sets students up for learning personal responsibility in a rewarding system of progressive advancement toward independence.

After academics, everyone participates in an engaging unit activity: this could be anything from fishing, to basketball, to even putting on a mini-carnival. 

After that, everyone has a chance to start winding down in the evening with structured free time to play video games, watch movies, or hang out with friends. 

The day ends in the gym with stretches, weights, and any other kind of physical exercise the young men want to do. After that, they return to their units for their evening routines, and quiet hour commences for reading, movies, or just a period of peace. 

Then it’s sleep, reset, and repeat the next day!

Quick View of a Day at Timber Ridge School

 

Morning Routine

  • Wake up around 6:50 AM
  • Personal hygiene (shower, brush teeth)
  • Morning chores (e.g., cleaning kitchen)
  • Goal review
  • Breakfast in the dining hall

Academic Schedule

  • Classes from 8:45 AM to around 3:45 PM
  • Subjects include health/PE, history, science (other subjects include algebra, english,  journalism, career and technical education)
  • Some students work on computer-based programs

Afternoon and Evening Activities

  • Opportunities to get paid job on campus
  • Transition time for homework or reflection
  • Goal reviews
  • Structured free time
  • Dinner
  • Unit activities (i.e., fishing, basketball, mini-carnival)
  • Gym time/weight room 
  • Evening free time
  • Bed preparation and quiet time

Personal Growth at Timber Ridge School

Like many students who first arrive at Timber Ridge School, both Sam and Melvin were hesitant. 

“I’ve been here for almost seven months and I’ve learned a lot,” Sam reflects. “One thing I’ve learned is that you’ve got to want to change yourself instead of coming here and thinking this place is going to change you — I see that a lot. Timber Ridge School has helped me, but I had to help myself too. I want to be home, but this experience wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.”

Melvin further attests to the school’s ability to help even initially resistant students. “I’m going to be honest: when I first came to Timber Ridge, it wasn’t necessarily what I wanted. I wasn’t really in the right mindset to come here and do what I needed to do.”

However, his perspective shifted over time. “My experience from day one to now is pretty good,” he says. “This is a good, productive place that teaches you a lot of lessons. It works on a lot of struggles you may have, and teaches you ways to overcome them. I’m a level 4 getting ready to advance to a level 5, and then I’ll get discharged soon. My experience overall at Timber Ridge School has been very productive and a big learning experience for me.”

These student experiences highlight the heart of Timber Ridge School’s approach. The structured environment, individualized goal-setting, and focus on personal responsibility creates a powerful framework for growth that could set a positive standard for one’s entire life ahead. 

We hope these stories have given you an authentic perspective on life at Timber Ridge School!

Learn more about the mission and work of Timber Ridge School here.