Dr. Morse is the recipient of the 2011 Montrose Wolf Distinguished Contributions Award from the Teaching-Family Association
Dr. Steven Morse, Superintendent of Garfield Park Academy, was recently honored by the international Teaching-Family Association for his progressive approach to the education of students with disabilities.
The Association has awarded Morse with its 2011 Montrose Wolf Distinguished Contributions Award. The award recognizes an individual for significant contributions to the development, refinement and implementation of the Teaching-Family Model, an evidence-based approach to treatment for at-risk youth.
The award was presented to Dr. Morse in Banff, Canada. Under Morse’s leadership, Garfield Park Academy became the first school-based program in North America to implement the model in a school setting and undergo the rigorous Teaching-Family Association certification.
Morse has been with Garfield Park Academy since 1993. He earned his Doctor of Education from Widener University, where his dissertation addressed the impact of adapting The Teaching-Family Model for use in schools for children with severe emotional challenges.
The Teaching-Family Model is a positively based cognitive behavioral program focusing on helping children and teens learn and apply social skills to replace poor ones. Humane and effective, the model uses scientifically proven methods to teach and reinforce adaptive skills. The model was developed in the 1960’s by pioneers of behavioral psychology, and is widely used by group homes, foster care settings, and home-based treatment.
“Garfield Park Academy represents the gold standard in positive behavioral supports for students with disabilities,” said Peggy McElgunn, Esq., Executive Director of Teaching-Family Association. “This is a prestigious award, recognizing the tremendous accomplishments that Dr. Morse has made in supporting and sharing the Teaching-Family Model,” she added.
Garfield Park Academy is a New Jersey State approved, not-for-profit school that provides effective, evidence-based special education services for students in grades K-12 who have a history of learning, social, emotional and behavioral challenges. The school’s comprehensive services and programs are designed to ‘wrap around’ each student and his or her family to ensure success.
