Severely Emotionally Impaired (SEI) Program Overview
The Severely Emotionally Impaired (SEI) Program at Freedom Acres provides specialized education and comprehensive support for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who experience significant emotional and behavioral challenges. Rooted in trauma-informed care and restorative principles, the program fosters a safe, supportive environment that empowers students to develop the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional skills necessary for success in less restrictive settings and beyond.
Key Components of the SEI Program
Individualized Instruction
Instruction is tailored to meet each student’s unique needs, with an emphasis on skill-building, emotional regulation, and overcoming behavioral barriers to learning.
Behavioral Support
Students receive structured support through positive behavioral interventions, co-regulation strategies, and restorative justice practices that promote accountability, relationship repair, and growth.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
The program embeds SEL into daily routines, helping students build self-awareness, communication, and relationship skills that support resilience and emotional well-being.
Transition Planning
IEP teams support students in transitioning to less restrictive environments, including general education settings, when appropriate. The program also promotes work-based learning and personal curriculum development to align with the vision of every student graduating with a high school diploma.
Trauma-Informed Practices
Understanding the impact of trauma, the SEI program creates a safe and predictable environment that honors felt safety, builds trust, and supports healing-centered engagement.
Family and Community Collaboration
The program partners with families and local agencies to wrap around each student. Monthly community team meetings hosted at Freedom Acres bring together professionals from MDHHS, Community Mental Health (CMH), and the Ionia County Juvenile Court to ensure coordinated care.
Safe and Secure Environment
Freedom Acres prioritizes the physical and emotional safety of all students, ensuring a secure setting that fosters trust, stability, and positive relationships.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Student progress is continuously monitored using data to inform instructional decisions, behavioral supports, and program modifications.
Self-Advocacy and Empowerment
The SEI program nurtures self-advocacy by teaching students how to express their needs, manage conflict, and advocate for themselves—even in moments of difficulty.
Our Mission
To wrap around each student and family—amplifying their strengths, building skills, and addressing challenges—to support movement toward the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and promote independence, dignity, and lifelong success.
