Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

TFS institutes ACE program in school system

A new program to help children that may do better with extra one-on-one teaching techniques has been implemented through the Gurdon School system and Therapeutic Family Services (TFS).

Serving seven children so far, the program began in Gurdon this fall and is housed in the Alternative Education Center  by the school's bus garage.

The teacher is James Ford, who started with alternative students last year. Ford said Alternative Classroom Environment (ACE) is a combination effort between TFS and the school system.

On the counseling end, Judith Davis is the TFS program coordinator for ACE in both Arkadelphia and Gurdon. It was first in Arkadelphia and now in Gurdon.

Davis said, "ACE just started in Gurdon this fall and is going to expand to a larger number of students. Our focus is on social skills and academics. We already have several more referrals from the Gurdon School. Gurdon School Superintendent Bobby Smithson got together with the owners of TFS, Birkes Williams and David Miller, and formed ACE to help the kids.. The school provides the educational component and we provide the counseling."

Season Smith and Eric Allen, both with TFS, are case managers, while Amanda Snowden, also with TFS, is the therapist.

Smith said the children involved receive the one-on-one counseling that the school has recommended for them to keep on the task of school work.

"We work with our children in regard to tutoring and mentoring, and confidentiality is always respected," Smith said.

Davis said her workers assist children whose goal it is earn make-up credits or stay away from being below grade level.

"We provide activities in the summer as well," Davis said. "It helps keep the kids off the streets. This is our second year in Arkadelphia."

As to the educational component, James Ford said he does the teaching and works closely with regular classroom teachers to keep students on task and on track.

"We get our tests and lesson plans from the regular teachers," he said. "Sometimes we get behind and then catch up, but the goal is for these students to make it through the work and learn. We do have seven students now, but I am prepared to have 15. It just depends on school referrals and need."

Ford holds a Master of Arts and Teaching from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. Last year, before ACE, Ford worked through Alternative Learning Education (ALE) II.

"Last year, there was a facility where the kids lived. Now they live elsewhere. Our ACE program is set up for middle school and high school, grades 7-12," he said.