At Laraway, our admissions process is designed to be informative and inclusive of all involved. 

Children and youth are typically referred to Laraway by their school district or a state social service agency.  Inquiries from parents or other interested parties are also welcome.

Who we serve

Laraway provides high-quality therapeutic, educational and behavioral intervention services for children and youth, ages 5 to 21, who experience:

• Emotional and behavioral challenges
• Learning disabilities
• Mental health challenges

Steps in the process

Referral
The initial referral is the first step in exploring whether Laraway is the proper fit for a child.  To start the process, parents and/or school systems and/or agency representatives contact Laraway to express interest and provide background on the child.  This helps to determine if services offered are appropriate for the child.

Campus Tour
The next step in the process is for the child, family and referring agency to visit and tour the campus.  This provides an opportunity to learn about Laraway’s philosophy and approach while detailing our educational, clinical, health and wellness, recreational, vocational and behavioral services.

For more information, contact:

Laraway School:  Julie Landry, JLandry@Laraway.org, 802-635-2805 x 110

Substitute Care:  Dave McAllister, DMcallister@Laraway.org  802-635-2805 x 201

Backpack:  Rich Smith, RSmith@Laraway.org. 802-760-9243

Clinical:  Matthew Sadowsky, MSadowsky@Laraway.org, 802-635-2805 x 116

Names changed to protect confidentiality

Kelly:  “I was afraid”
Sixteen-year-old Kelly was residing at the Woodside Juvenile Detention Center in Essex, Vermont, when Laraway Youth and Family Services offered her a chance to continue her education and live in a therapeutic foster home.
Kelly, skeptical from thirteen years in state custody, turned them down.
“I was afraid I wasn’t going to get the kind of education I’d get in public school,” Kelly remembers.
Laraway staff’s gentle persistence paid off.  Kelly eventually agreed to move in with a foster family specially trained to help her overcome her behavioral challenges.  She enrolled in Laraway’s individualized educational program, one that capitalized on her creative talents.
Two years later, Kelly is due to graduate with her high school diploma, a first in her family.  She will be a first generation college student as she commences studies in Human Services.  Her ambition is to become a caseworker, to support at-risk youth, because, according to Kelly, “I’ve walked in their shoes.”

Martin:  “Laraway never gives up on kids”
“People should know Laraway never gives up on kids,” Martin observed. “Laraway never gave up on me.”
Martin was a thirteen-year-old resident of Brattleboro Retreat, a mental health medical facility, when Laraway staff picked him up to bring him to his new home.  Laraway Youth and Family Services offered Martin a chance to continue his education---he’s a computer whiz---and live in a therapeutic foster home.
Up until that point, Martin’s home life had been less than ideal. His mother, a single parent plagued by mental illness, retreated to her bed in utter emotional paralysis. She was unable to bathe, feed and otherwise care for her four children.
“I was the father figure,” Martin reflected. Beginning at age six, he cared for his three younger siblings. “I’d try to cook. I’d change diapers. I’d put kids to bed.” Martin assumed these responsibilities while getting himself to school each day.
Laraway stepped in after learning Martin had been at Brattleboro Retreat for six months.  Four years later, Martin is on track to graduate from high school while holding a part-time job.  His ambition is to become a computer technician.