Short-term suspended youth are referred by Durham Public School Administration, Assistant Principals, School Social Workers, and/or Guidance Counselors. One staff person is responsible for coordinating all of the short-term referrals.

Long-term suspended youth are referred by their Court Counselors. The school system also has a couple of slots for non court-involved students; those referrals are made by the Principal of the alternative school. The Program Manager is the contact person for all long-term referrals.