OM Updates
Our Out of the MATRIX (OM) process is gaining recognition in many, ever widening circles! What is innovative about this solution for the school environment is that it addresses the cause of the unwanted behaviors (subconscious misbeliefs about themselves and the world they live in) rather than the symptoms (lack of attendance, failing grades, disciplinary issues).
Powerful Results…
The program was so successful at the Alpha Academy (AA) at CEVEC (Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium) that the OM curriculum is now approved as a credit-bearing course through Mayfield High School. In addition, Mayfield City Schools has approved Chris Lauretig’s request to have a teacher training based on Out of the MATRIX, and to give the teachers Professional Development Units to apply toward their license renewal. AA is designed to serve “At Risk” students that were failing in their residential high school. Three students, who were removed from their residential high schools because of failing grades, lack of attendance, and disciplinary issues related to violent outbursts including fights, achieved 3.0 grade point averages or better, an average 40% improvement in attendance and only one disciplinary action for the school year, after completing the program. Five students, who repeated the OM program, improved their grade point average by an additional 1.3 points and their attendance by an average of 20%.
We are now conducting the OM program in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District at Margaret Ireland, and will soon begin at Collinwood High School.
Spreading The Word…
Obviously, our Schools need fresh, innovative solutions and the idea of adding two more weeks – of what already doesn’t work – to the school year, won’t cut it. Out of the MATRIX is not only a viable alternative, but is the one that will transform the school system.
Out of the MATRIX was presented at the spring conference of the Ohio Association of Career & Technical Educators, Special Needs Division. A portion of the presentation was given by high school-aged graduates of OM, who are now training to become Mentors and Facilitators. These graduates went from roaming the streets to coming to class...being belligerent to being kind...F’s to A’s & B’s...refusing to follow house rules to helping out at home without being asked. And we never told them to do these things...when they learn how to change their thinking, their life changes automatically and dramatically. The presentation was rated Outst
anding by 95% of attendees. As a result of their performance, the school system that had originally out-placed these students recently presented them with awards for their participation at this event. Chris Lauretig has been working with the Emotional Disability population for 8 years and is very clear that this program is the most effective curriculum he has employed to help his students improve their self-image and performance.Expanding Our Reach…
We went on to present OM to Special Education Directors of the Wadsworth, Copley/Fairlawn, Norton and Barberton Ohio school districts and the Director of their Vocational Consortium. Now they are interested in bringing OM to their schools, adding to our current list of Warrensville Heights, West Geauga, Chardon, Cleveland Heights/University Heights, Brunswick, Geauga County ESC, Mayfield, South Euclid/Lyndhurst. They are patiently waiting for us to build up our base of Oracles.
We are conducting OM sessions in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District at Margaret Ireland, and will soon be starting sessions at Collinwood High School.
A Pilot Program will be conducted in February at the Juvenile Detention Center in Cleveland. We will be following these teens, along with a control group, to observe how OM has impacted their lives.
Recognized Value…
Dan Heit founded JusticeWorks YouthCare in Pittsburgh, PA in 1999 after a distinguished leadership career spanning more than 20 years. A nationally recognized expert in behavioral health programs, he has been acknowledged as a leader in developing and managing innovative programs for troubled youth. Mr. Heit visited us to audit an OM Young Adult Weekend, and noted we have “a well-developed curriculum and teaching methodology.” He observed that our “anecdotal and school based evidence point to sustained positive outcomes for adolescents and adults.”
Mr. Heit was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve on a 24 member Presidential Commission for model legislation and, as president of a national trade organization, met with President Clinton and served on subcommittees for health care reform. He was a founding member of The National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws and served two terms as President of the Therapeutic Communities of America. As you can see by his credentials, Mr. Heit’s comments are held in the highest regard. We are pleased and excited that Mr. Heit is supporting us in our development and expansion.
Please continue to check back with us, as we will be bringing you more OM Updates as they occur.
2653 S. Taylor Rd.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118info@OutOfTheMatrix.org
www.OutOfTheMatrix.org
440-503-9251
