The Charlton School

July 20, 2011

Mr. Alex Capo, Director of Treatment

The Charlton School

 Dear Alex,

The enclosed survey does not do justice to the services Charlton provides for the girls in your custody and their families.  There were many places where I would have liked to add a column that read strongly agree, particularly items two, three, six and seven.

In the fall of 2008 Tom and I were at the end of our rope, and the rope was rapidly fraying.  We did not want to let Alyssa leave our home but we had no other choice.  Placement at Charlton became a viable alternative especially since Alyssa's psychiatrist had sugested.

We have no doubt that without the Charlton School and their excellent staff, Alyssa would not have made the process that she made.  The cottage program with the "girls group" counseling was a large help for Alyssa to learn how to deal with herself as a young woman as well as to learn to work with others.  The incredible, understanding and knowledgable cottage staff were there for us whether Alyssa was at home for the weekend or at the cottage and having emotional issues.  Sharon definitely became Alyssa's "mother" away from home as well as our lifeline when things got rough.  Alyssa got to the point that she was relating well with all the staff but we belive that she had a soft spot some staff more than others.

It has only recently that we learned that Nora had spent a great deal of time with Alyssa when she was having all of her stomach problems.  Nora taught her to breath through them the way you do with Lamaze breathing.

We know that we had some rough spots during the last year but those too were able to be worked through with your help.

Thak you again for all that Charlton did to help Alyssa during the past two and a half years.