Palisades Father, Daughter Advocate in D.C

PALISADES-POST

By Matt Sanderson, Senior Reporter

One trying night a few years ago Cora Silverman’s parents removed her from their home in the Palisades to receive counseling and treatment at Uinta Academy, a Utah based boarding school for at-risk girls. Cora was 14 at the time.

Flash forward to Thursday, June 19, and Silverman, now 18, was in Washington, D.C. with her father Jay. The pari were advocating on behalf of Uinta Academy to California politicians in Congress, as well as to the offices of U.S. senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

The Silverman’s were joined by a delegation of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) in an effort to educate members of Congress about troubled youth and mental health issues.

Cora only finisher her 2011 freshman year at Palisades High School before being sent away that summer for treatment at Uinta Academy. Cora cited what she called a growing party and sex culture within the hight school for her troubles.

“Around age 13 was when I started doing drugs”, Cora told the Post. She said the majority of freshman her age weren’t getting into trouble”, but it was hanging out with the seniors and sometimes college students that led her to alcohol and drug abuse.

During her two years at Uinta Academy, Cora received treatment for more than just substance abuse. The program offers a comprehensive treatment plan, including the psychological, cognitive, emotional and social aspects of a girl’s life.

“It was definitely somewhere to go to help with my substance abuse and addiction” Cora said. “It also helps with pressure and becoming emotionally stable, and learning how to make mistakes and accept the consequences”.

Cora’s father Jay said it was beneficial for members of Congress to hear the first-hand experiences of a father and daughter going through such a program rather than just hearing the same boilerplate lobbyist advocacy.

“There’s nothing like this program in California” Jay told the Post.

Jay, a filmmaker, is currently in post-production on a film - Girl on the Edge starring Peter Coyote and Makenzie Phillips - which mirrors Cora’s two year journey through Uinta Academy.

According to Cora, “It’s so easy to get into the drug environment. I just hope people can find happiness in other things because life is so much better without drugs”.