Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Supports Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Norfolk joins four divisions to propose regional recovery school, Harbor Hope Center
Summary
A five‑division steering committee advanced a Harbor Hope Center proposal to provide academic and clinical recovery services for students with substance use disorders; the board was told a Jan. 22 vote is expected to approve Norfolk’s participation.
Norfolk Public Schools staff presented a proposal on Jan. 8, 2025, to join a regional Harbor Hope Center — a full‑day recovery school for students with substance use disorders — developed in collaboration with Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach public schools.
Dr. Michael Cataldo (presenting as a district staff lead) said the center would be fiscally housed in Virginia Beach and located in Chesapeake. The program would offer blended academic options (a multi‑division online platform, credit recovery and GED options), daily clinical groups and individual counseling, and peer‑recovery supports. Students would remain enrolled in their home schools for records, testing and official disciplinary or IEP responsibilities while receiving academics and clinical services at Harbor Hope Center.
Key program elements described in the presentation: a clinical staff that includes a clinical coordinator and a peer recovery specialist; mandatory random drug and alcohol testing for students who enroll (with stated, supportive protocols for positive tests recognizing recovery is often nonlinear); an application and screening process; transportation provided by participating divisions; and a modified year‑round operating calendar with academic services continuing remotely in summer months.
Cataldo said the steering committee analyzed discipline records and drug‑related incident data across the region to determine need and to size the program. He also said the divisions had engaged local health partners and community providers; the program will connect families to local recovery and mental‑health resources. Funding for Norfolk’s share of the initiative was described as coming from city-level opioid-abatement funds rather than the school operating budget, and Cataldo said the next step is a board approval vote at the Jan. 22 business meeting.
Board members asked about staffing ratios, partnerships with community services boards (CSBs), transportation and program metrics. Cataldo said staff positions have been specified in the proposal and that partnerships with CSBs and local providers are part of the plan, and that transportation will be provided. The board did not vote on a final agreement at the Jan. 8 meeting; the presentation was advanced to seek board approval at a scheduled Jan. 22 business meeting.
