MAYER, ARIZONA, OCTOBER 4, 2021—Spring Ridge Academy is finalizing its quality management plan for the upcoming year. The process has included a data review, data analysis, reflection, and goal setting for this next year. The goals and data that revealed themselves were shared with Spring Ridge staff and students prior to the finalization.  Obtaining feedback and ideas from all participants in the program and working at the program was vital to achieving the goals.   The quality management plan emphasizes the connection and programmatic evolution by setting goals around supporting family transitions and completion, improving communication, providing employee support, and improving data.

Dr. Erin Smith, Director of Operational Excellence explains this growth, “Our overall purpose is to constantly refine and improve our practices. We do not work in a stagnant field. We must stay on top of the leading research and integrate it with our findings.” The clinicians at Spring Ridge Academy offer a variety of therapeutic modalities to help students heal. The key to the program is integrating the work in the therapy into Spring Ridge’s “therapeutic playground” that includes family relations, academics, social skills, and recreation. This integration leads to the actualization of change.  The process has led to a redefinition of Spring Ridge’s services: Treatment and Beyond. 

“The last eighteen months have been difficult for everyone. We are all working through a collective trauma of grief and fear. This is part of the reason we have added a sixth value: Fun,” said Dr. Smith. “Our values of honesty, accountability, responsibility, respect, and connection work to create a safe environment where everyone can learn, heal and grow. Adding fun to this list of values supports the sense of community we want to create. Therapy and change are challenging, and we believe this process can be galvanized and supported with joy.” 

To kick off the process, the students have planned a spirit week.  The activities include dressing like their therapists, sporting school colors to support the volleyball team, wearing tie-dye, and twinning with their roommate. “It’s exciting to shifts already, and we can’t wait for the next round of feedback to see its impact,” said Dr. Smith.

Spring Ridge Academy, located 1.5 hours outside Phoenix, Arizona, serves young women ages 13-17. Founded in 1997 as a female and family-owned Residential Treatment Center, Spring Ridge is licensed by the State of Arizona and accredited by the Joint Commission. The academic program/school is accredited by Cognia. Utilizing evidence-based clinical modalities with a traditional rigorous college-prep curriculum, including fine and expressive arts and team sports, Spring Ridge has created a relationship-based setting that allows the student’s emotional, relational, spiritual, intellectual, and physical to grow.