NATSAP National Conference 2018

LIVING OUR VALUES…SHOWING UP, LEADING, DOING WHAT HAS HEART AND MEANING, OPEN TO OUTCOME…AND A GREAT DEAL OF FUN AT THE NATSAP CONFERENCE!

Cherokee Creek Boys School showed up in a big way at the recent National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) National Conference held in Tampa, FL. last week. Shaler Cooper was honored for her third consecutive year as the national conference chairperson. CCBS Executive Director David LePere is on the Executive Board as the Treasurer having also served as Chairman the Best Practices Committees. This is serious and important work for us, but as you can see below, when it comes to having fun, we can be seriously into that, too! One of our core values at CCBS is FUN!

CCBS was this year’s Platinum Sponsor, bringing our friend Michael Gurian to the conference as our keynote speaker. In addition to co-founding the Gurian Institute, Michael is a social philosopher, family therapist, corporate consultant, and the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books published in fifteen languages. Michael, as usual, was both educational and entertaining…plus, he loves Cherokee Creek! Additionally, we know you will enjoy seeing him at the CCBS May Family Seminar!

Michael and former CCBS consultant Susie Pecuch joined CCBS Co-Founders Ron and Beth Black, CCBS Primary Counselor Spencer Palmer, David LePere, CCBS Transition Coach Brandie Burleson and CCBS Therapist Christy Todd for a rollicking dinner of storytelling and friendship.

CCBS also co-sponsored a Great Gatsby Gala during the NATSAP Conference. Music, dancing, trivia games, photo booths, fortune tellers, magicians and great costumes made the evening spectacular. It was a good time for letting our “authentic selves” out to play for a while!

In fact, we proudly announce that the Cherokee Creek brain trust teams took first and second place in the trivia contest. Way to go, Bears!

I am very pleased and proud to announce that CHEROKEE CREEK BOYS SCHOOL’S Executive Director, David LePere, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

NATSAP was created in January of 1999 to serve as a national resource for programs and professionals, acting as an advocate and resource for innovative organizations dedicated to the effective care and education of struggling young people and their families.

Members include therapeutic schools, residential treatment programs, wilderness therapy programs, outdoor therapeutic programs, young adult programs and home-based residential programs. All are working through NATSAP to make sure our industry provides the highest quality services to the young people and families they serve.

Until his recent selection for the Board, David served for two years as the chair of NATSAP’s Best Practices committee and served on the committee a total of 4 years. He has been attending NATSAP national conferences since 2004 and has been a presenter at NATSAP’s national and regional conferences, collaborating with other programs to bring relevant ideas and conversations to conference attendees.

Says David, “As always, NATSAP has an ever-increasing responsibility to bring awareness of our schools and programs to a larger audience. The need for therapeutic services, at the highest level of quality is only increasing, and NATSAP is positioned to help its members continuously improve.”

Congratulations, David, from the CCBS Board and all members of our staff! We are so proud of this recognition of your leadership in our field, and we’re so proud to call you “ours!”

Beth Black, Founder, Cherokee Creek Boys School