A respected Indiana consultant, Thomas Stoughton works with diverse clients in spheres such as technology, education, and business development. Areas of community focus for Thomas Stoughton throughout his career have included addiction recovery and youth education.
A recent article in Chalkbeat drew attention to the significant hurdles faced by foster youth in Indiana. With the opioid crisis identified as a contributing factor, there has been a significant increase in school-age children in the state’s foster care system, with the number now totaling 9,000. Ideally, schools represent an oasis of stability in the oft-chaotic lives of children in foster care. Unfortunately, according to organizations such as Mind Trust and Foster Success, children are often moved to new placements and homes, thus preventing them from setting down stable roots. This continuous changing of schools results in a predictably poor educational outcome, with a first-of-its kind systematic foster youth education analysis revealing that just 64 percent graduate from high school. This compares with a graduation rate of 88 percent among the general population of Indiana high school students.
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With a master of science in instructional systems technology from Indiana University, Thomas Stoughton is an experienced educational and technology consultant. Formerly the president of Business Consulting Incorporated in Indiana, Thomas Stoughton also produced a documentary, Virus of Violence, about the effects of media violence on children.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), violent video games are a risk factor for aggressive behavior, thoughts, and emotions in youth. In addition, the APA Task Force on Violent Media found a link between children and adolescents exposed to these types of games and less empathy for others. One way violent media may increase aggression is by desensitizing children to antisocial and combative behavior, as well as decreasing attention on prosocial ones like compassion and generosity. Studies of children worldwide indicate that those who are exposed to violent video games for longer amounts of time are more likely to display aggression. However, research also suggests that competition between players more effectively predicts adverse behavior than the medium’s violence level. Child-development experts advise parents to limit or avoid exposing their children to violent media and talk with them about aspects of the games they play. ![]() A distinguished public-policy and educational-technology consultant based in Indiana, Thomas Stoughton served as the president of Business Consulting Incorporated for 10 years. Aside from running a successful consulting business, Thomas Stoughton established the Heartland International Film Festival, an annual event held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Heartland Film regularly recognizes studio-released films that make a social contribution beyond entertainment with the Truly Moving Picture Award. Meant to convey the special meaning of these movies to potential audiences, the award program determines recipients through a judges panel that evaluate artistic and technical quality. Recently, Heartland Film presented the Truly Moving Picture Award to Little Woods. Set in a North Dakota-based town of the same name, the film is a moving thriller about two sisters against extreme circumstances beyond their control and the decisions they face. Directed by award-winning director Nia DaCosta, Little Woods opened in theaters on April 19, 2019. The former president of Business Consulting Incorporated in Indiana, Thomas Stoughton graduated from Indiana University with an MS in instructional systems technology. In addition to serving as an Indiana-based educational and technology consultant for 10 years, Thomas Stoughton worked to educate society about the impacts of violent video games by establishing a parent resource center and producing a documentary called Virus of Violence.
Video games have evolved from the Atari consoles of the 1980s to become more realistic and, unfortunately, more violent. For instance, many of the games on the market include criminal behavior, sexual exploitation, drug and alcohol use, foul language and gestures, and killing or harming of people and animals. Some games even allow young users to interact with unknown people via the Internet. Research shows that video games are not harmless. Children who have been exposed to violent games or programs frequently imitate the violence they’ve seen or otherwise exhibit aggressive behavior. Violent media may cause more negative impacts on young children or those with emotional, behavioral, or learning problems. Parents should be wary of what games they allow their children to consume. In addition to evaluating the ratings of the games their children play, parents should set clear rules about what game content is allowed and for how long, discuss inappropriate elements of video games with their children, and encourage their children to engage in other pastimes, especially physical activities. An accomplished technology and business management consultant based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Thomas Stoughton formerly served as the president of Business Consulting Incorporated. Also an experienced education consultant, Thomas Stoughton is responsible for establishing the Indiana Virtual School in 2011.
A public, statewide charter school, the Indiana Virtual School is an educational outreach program that serves children whose potential has been neglected by traditional public schools. The Virtual School brings an enriching educational experience to children who have unique skills and abilities, as well as those whose medical needs or religious beliefs have kept them from full participation in a traditional educational environment. Funded by Mr. Stoughton out of his personal money, 121 students enrolled in the online charter school for the 2012-13 academic year. By the 2018-19 school year, the school’s enrollment had grown to more than 7,000 virtual students from all 92 counties. In addition to being the state’s largest virtual school, it ranks as one of the largest high schools in the state. Aside from educational programs, it coordinates with the Department of Child Services and statewide sheriff’s departments to promote student well-being in underserved areas. An accomplished management and technology consultant based in Indiana, Thomas Stoughton is the former president of Business Consulting Incorporated. In addition to his career spent advising businesses and government agencies, Thomas Stoughton has donated to Progress House in Indianapolis, Indiana, in support of its long-term residential addiction-recovery programs.
Studies show that shorter residential programs have a low effectiveness rate. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, people with a substance addiction with a medium to high risk of experiencing withdrawal are not appropriately served by short-term programs of only a few weeks’ duration. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends a minimum of 90 days for inpatient addiction treatment, with longer stays correlating with better outcomes. Progress House offers a three-phase program, with the first lasting 90-120 days. After Phase 1, Progress House residents can continue their assisted recovery at the inpatient facility for one year before transitioning to semi-independent apartment living to continue receiving support for another year. The former president of Business Consulting Incorporated in Indiana, Thomas Stoughton maintains a commitment to supporting education and addiction recovery efforts in his community. An alumnus of Indiana University, Thomas Stoughton helped to launch the Heartland Film Festival (HIFF).
Indiana’s longest-running film festival, HIFF has been celebrating independent films and filmmakers since 1992. The 11-day celebration is part of Heartland Film, a nonprofit arts organization established in 1991 with the intention of inspiring filmmakers and audiences. In addition to HIFF, the organization hosts the Indy Shorts International Film Festival, an Academy Award-qualifying event focused on the art of short films. The winners of the Indy Shorts event are played during HIFF later in the year. Since 2009, the Indy Shorts festival has shown films that went on to earn 17 Academy Award nominations and six wins. These include documentary, live action, and narrative shorts. To ensure filmmakers of all skill levels are represented at the event, Heartland Film maintains three submission types: High School Film Competition; narrative, documentary, and animated shorts; and Indiana Spotlight Competition submissions. The winners of the Indy Shorts event earn a collective $30,000 in cash prizes. Narrative, documentary, and animated shorts winners each receive $5,000. Following that is the winner of the High School Film Competition and Indiana Spotlight Competition who each earn $2,000. The Best Student Film Award and Audience Choice Awards in varying short categories receive the remaining prize money, with the Best Student Film Award winner getting $1,000 and Audience Choice winners getting $500 in each category. ![]() For more than three decades, Thomas Stoughton has been promoting education, addiction recovery, and violence prevention in Indiana. Over the years, Thomas Stoughton has been responsible for producing the documentary film Virus of Violence and establishing both the Center for Successful Parenting and Indiana Virtual School (INVS). An online public charter school, INVS provides education to Indiana students for free. It’s the only public charter school in the state that uses the Pearson and Florida Virtual curriculum, which has won the Codie award and been around for more than a decade. Below are several frequently asked questions about INVS’ courses: Question: How long are the courses? Answer: Typically, the classes offered by the school last about 16 to 18 weeks. These classes are available year-round, and students may begin most courses on a rolling basis to accommodate their schedule. Q: Are there honors courses? A: Yes, most of the school’s courses are offered for regular or honors credit. To switch to honors credit, students register for the regular course and inform their teacher that they want to earn honors credit for the course. Question: What do courses cost? Answer: Indiana residents are allowed to enroll in INVS at no cost. However, they must enroll on a full-time basis. Nonresidents of Indiana are also allowed to enroll in many individual courses, but they must pay tuition. Q: Are courses accredited? A: INVS is a public school with courses suitable for middle and high school students. These courses are all available entirely online, and the school is accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Furthermore, courses satisfy Indiana Academic Standards requirements. An experienced Indiana business and nonprofit consultant, Thomas Stoughton has engaged with numerous clients to achieve solutions that have brought about lasting social change. Among Thomas Stoughton’s areas of focus is supporting addiction recovery as the chairman of the board of Progress House in Indiana.
In February 2019, the Daily Journal highlighted Indiana State Senator Jim Merritt’s introduction of Senate Bill 33, which would enable the establishment of nine Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Centers statewide. The current situation is one in which only 16 percent of existing clinic providers offer more than a single medication to patients undergoing substance-use disorder treatment. In addition to not offering both naltrexone and buprenorphine opioid-addiction medication options, a number of centers lack the kinds of behavioral remedies that significantly boost positive outcomes. The proposed network is based on a federal model that emphasizes personalized treatment and community collaboration in providing a comprehensive range of programmatic services. Along with access to Federal Drug Administration-approved medications, these include counseling, detoxification, and relapse prevention. ![]() The former president of Business Consulting Incorporated, Thomas Stoughton is a distinguished business consultant who resides in Indiana. Throughout his career, he has advised a variety of private businesses and government agencies. Committed to helping his community, Thomas Stoughton supports addiction-recovery programs such as Progress House in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he serves as chairman of the board. Structured differently from a traditional halfway house, Progress House offers a structured program and environment for people who are motivated to turn their lives around and make healthier choices. While following the 12-step addiction-recovery program, participants engage in daily prayer and meditation, workshops, and intensive case management led by a recovery mentor and a certified peer recovery coach. The program also includes at least five 12-step meetings per week and individual and group therapy with licensed clinical addictions counselors. On weekends, residents of Progress House enjoy recreational activities like paintball, hiking, bowling, and going to museums and sporting events. To support recovering addicts’ continued sobriety, Progress House offers a transitional-living program called Next Step. A sober living apartment complex, Next Step is open to men who have completed six months of sobriety at the Progress House’s main residence. The two- or four-man units help recovering addicts learn to become independent again while still drawing on the structure and support of the Progress House program. |
AuthorThomas Stoughton - Former President of BCI in Indianapolis, Indiana. Archives
May 2019
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