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School committee approves partnership with CHOICES program for suspended students
Summary
The committee authorized a memorandum of understanding to allow referrals to the CHOICES PASS program for students suspended for nonviolent offenses; administrators said the program provides assessments, clinical support and transition safety plans and can be funded using an existing healthcare grant.
The Blackstone‑Millville School Committee voted Feb. 11 to authorize a memorandum of understanding allowing the district to refer certain suspended students to CHOICES, a Worcester‑based program that runs a Positive Alternative to Student Suspension (PASS) program and related services.
Billy Beers, founder and CEO of CHOICES, described the program’s model: students referred for nonviolent suspensions attend assessments on day one and participate in clinical and social‑emotional groups and two hours of academic instruction daily during the suspension period. Beers said the center conducts multiple clinical check‑ins and produces a safety plan to support students’ transition back to school. “We come. We pick that kiddo back up, and we bring them back to CHOICES,” he said, describing tiered programming and ongoing follow‑up through a transfer arrangement with a young‑adult provider.
Committee members asked about parent consent, cost and long‑term supports. Administrators said participation requires both district and parent agreement and that parents are encouraged to visit the facility. The program’s stated cost to the district is about $90 per day per student; the superintendent said the district has approximately $100,000 in a health care grant that could be used to pay for student placement under the proposed agreement. Beers told the committee CHOICES currently serves adolescent ages roughly 12–18, operates an APG (alternative peer group) with extended hours and has 97 youth in a related diversion program funded through a multiyear grant.
After questions and discussion about logistics and funding, a committee member moved to approve the use of CHOICES; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
