A open invitation to tour and talk to any NATSAP school

[Anonymous]

"In conclusion, we invite the public, legislators, and critics to visit our programs. Inspect
and see for yourselves how we operate. Ask questions, talk to students and their families.
Compare the physical and emotional status of NATSAP students and the satisfaction of
our families to those in regulated public sector programs. Examine the results. Come and
see for yourselves the rich variety of innovative and successful NATSAP programs
before judging us or writing another inflammatory article or white paper based on rumor
and innuendo."  

For the full text go here  http://www.strugglingteens.com/news/ope ... tation.pdf


I saw we take them up on this and tour all the schools regurly and at the worst with all of us visiting the school on a regular basis they will be forced to behave and stop abusing kids.

[Anonymous]

I don't even know where to begin with this pile of shit.

I love how the sadistic language even shows through in a document like this, though.

However, I have a rejoinder.

An Open Response And Invitation to John L. Santa, NATSAP President, from the critics of private residential treatment programs:

FUCK YOU.

[Anonymous]

Academy at Canyon Creek
Residential Treatment Center
Springville, UT
Ages 13-17
Coeducational  
 
Academy at Sisters
Emotional Growth Boarding School
Bend, OR
Ages 13 to 18
Girls Only  
 
Academy at Swift River
Boarding School
Cummington, MA
Ages 13 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Academy of the Sierras
Specialized Boarding School
Reedley, CA
Ages 13 ? 18
Coeducational  
 
Adirondack Leadership Expeditions
Wilderness Program
Saranac Lake, NY
Ages 13-17
Single Gender and Coeducational Groups  
 
Advanced Recovery Center
Transitional Independent Living Program
Delray Beach, FL
Ages 17.5 +
Coeducational  
 
Alldredge Academy
Boarding School & Wilderness Program
Davis, WV
Ages 13-18
Coeducational  
 
Alpine Academy
Residential Treatment Center
Salt Lake City, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Girls Only  
 
ANASAZI Foundation
Wilderness Program
Mesa, AZ
Ages youth (12-17), young adults (18-25)
Coeducational  
 
Ascent
Wilderness Program
Naples, ID
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Aspen Achievement Academy
Wilderness Program
Loa, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Boys and girls in single gender groups  
 
Aspen Ranch
Residential Treatment Center
Loa, UT
Ages 13 up to 18
Coeducational  
 
Auldern Academy
Supportive Boarding School
Siler City, NC
Ages 14-18
Girls only  
 
Benchmark Young Adult School
Transitional Independent Living Program and Young Adult Program
Redlands, CA
Ages 18 to 28
Coeducational  
 
Betton House
Transitional Independent Living
Scranton, PA
Ages 18-24
Coeducational  
 
Birdseye Boys Ranch
Residential Treatment Program
Spanish Fork, UT
Ages 13 to 18
Boys Only  
 
Blackwater Outdoor Experiences
Wilderness Program
Midlothian, VA
Ages 14 to 28
Coeducational  
 
Boulder Creek Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Bonners Ferry, ID
Ages 13 - 17
Coeducational  
 
Bridges Academy
Emotional Growth School
Bend, OR
Ages 14 to 17
Males Only  
 
Bromley Brook School
Emotional Growth Boarding School
Manchester Center, VT
Ages 13 - 17
Girls Only  
 
Building Bridges
Home-Based Residential Program
Thompson Falls, MT
Ages 14 to 18
Boys Only  
 
Buxmont Academy
Home-Based Residential
Pipersville, PA
Ages 12 - 18
Coeducational  
 
Caron Adolescent Residential Treatment Center
Residential Treatment Center
Wernersville, PA
Ages 13 to 19 years old
Males and Females (gender separated)  
 
Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Expeditions
Wilderness Program
Albany, OR
Ages 13 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Cedar Ridge Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Roosevelt, UT
Ages 14 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Center for Change
Inpatient & Residential Treatment for Eating Disorders & Co-Exist
Orem, UT
Ages 14-17 and Adult
Girls Only  
 
Chaddock
Residential Treatment Center & Transitional Independent Living
Quincy, IL
Ages 9 - 21
Coeducational  
 
Cherry Gulch
Therapeutic Boarding School
Emmett, ID
Ages 10 - 14
Boys Only  
 
Chrysalis
Therapeutic Boarding School
Eureka, MT
Ages 13 to 18
Girls Only  
 
Clearview Horizon, Inc.
Therapeutic Boarding School
Program is Located in Montana, MT
Ages 13 to 20
Girls Only  
 
Copper Canyon Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Rimrock, AZ
Ages 13 to 17
Girls Only  
 
Copper Hills Youth Center
Residential Treatment Center
West Jordan, UT
Ages 12 - 17
Coeducational  
 
Coral Reef Academy
Residential Treatment Center
Apia, Samoa
Ages 13 - 18
Boys Only  
 
Cottonwood de Tucson
Residential Treatment Center
Tucson, AZ
Ages 13 to 18
Girls only  
 
DayBreak Behavioral Resources, LLC
Home-Based Residential Program
Flagstaff, AZ
Ages 6-17
Gender Specific Programs: Boys & Girls  
 
Discovery Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Provo, UT
Ages 13 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Discovery Ranch
Residential Treatment Center
Mapleton, UT
Ages 13-17
Coeducational  
 
Dragonfly Adventures
Wilderness Program & Young Adult Program, Transitional Independent Living Program
Klamath Falls, OR
Ages 12+ Wilderness; 18-24 YA/Transitional
Coeducational  
 
Duck River, Three Springs
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Nunnelly, TN
Ages 13-17
Boys Only  
 
Eagles Nest School for Boys
Emotional Growth Boarding School
Woodland Park, CO
Ages 13 - 17
Boys Only  
 
Echo Malibu Youth Treatment Center
Residential Treatment Center
Malibu, CA
Ages 12 - 17
Coeducational  
 
Echo Springs Transition Study Cente
Young Adult Program & Transitional Living
Bonners Ferry, ID
Ages 18 to 24
Coeducational  
 
Eckerd Youth Alternatives E-How-Kee
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Brooksville, FL
Ages 10-17
Coeducational  
 
Eckerd Youth Alternatives E-Sun-Alee
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Deer Lodge, TN
Ages 10-18
Coeducational  
 
Elan School
Boarding School
Poland, ME
Ages 12 to 19
Coeducational  
 
Elk Mountain Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Clark Fork, ID
Ages 13 to 18
Boys Only  
 
Elk River Wilderness Challenge
Wilderness Program
Huntsville, AL
Ages 12 - 18
Coeducational  
 
Evangel House Christian Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
St. Martinville, LA
Ages 12 - 21
Girls Only  
 
Excel Academy
Boarding School
Conroe, TX
Ages 13 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Explorations
Home-Based Residential Program & Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Trout Creek, MT
Ages 12 to 18 and Young Adults
Coeducational  
 
F.L. Chamberlain School
Therapeutic Boarding School
Middleboro, MA
Ages 11 - 18
Coeducational  
 
Family Foundation School
Emotional Growth School
Hancock, NY
Ages 12 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Family Life Center
Residential Treatment Center
Petaluma, CA
Ages 12 - 18
Boys Only / Girls Only  
 
Fulshear Ranch Academy
Transitional Independent Living Program & Young Adult Program
Fulshear, TX
Ages 18 - 26
Girls Only  
 
Gateway Academy
Residential Treatment Center
Salt Lake City, UT
Ages 15-17
Males Only  
 
Granite Hill School
Therapeutic Boarding School
Newport, NH
Ages 9 - 18
Boys Only  
 
Gray Wolf Ranch
Residential Treatment Center
Port Townsend, WA
Ages 14 to 25
Males Only  
 
Grove School
Therapeutic Boarding School
Madison, CT
Ages 11 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Heart Mountain New Beginnings
Home Based Residential
Powell, WY
Ages 13 to 17 (at time of admission)
Boys Only  
 
Heritage Schools
Residential Treatment Center
Provo, UT
Ages 12 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Hidden Lake Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Dahlonega, GA
Ages 13 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Hunter School
Therapeutic Boarding School
Romney, NH
Ages 5 to 15
Coeducational  
 
Innercept
Therapeutic Boarding School & Young Adult Program
Coeur D'Alene, ID
Ages 13-17; 18-24
Coeducational  
 
Intermountain
Residential Treatment Center
Helena, MT
Ages 4-11
Coeducational  
 
Intermountain Hospital RTC
Residential Treatment Center
Boise, ID
Ages 12 - 17
Coeducational  
 
Island View RTC
Residential Treatment Center
Syracuse, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
John Dewey Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School & College Prep
Great Barrington, MA
Ages 16 to 21
Coeducational  
 
King George School
Emotional Growth Boarding School
Sutton, VT
Ages 14 - 18
Coeducational  
 
Kolob Canyon
Residential Treatment Center
New Harmony, UT
Ages 13-17
Girls Only  
 
La Amistad
Residential Treatment Center
Maitland, FL
Ages 5 to 17, 18 and Up
Coeducational  
 
La Europa Academy
Residential Treatment Center
Murray, UT
Ages 12-17
Girls Only  
 
Life Designs
Young Adult Program
Cusick, WA
Ages 18 to 26
Coeducational  
 
Life-Line, Inc.
Home-Based Residential Treatment Program
North Salt Lake, UT
 
Ages 13 to 18
Coeducational    
 
Living Well Transitions
Transitional Independent Living Program
Boulder, CO
Ages 18+
Coeducational  
 
Logan River Academy
Residential Treatment Center
Logan, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Lone Star Expeditions
Wilderness Program
Groveton, TX
Ages 13 up to 17
Single Gender Groups  
 
Menninger Clinic
Specialty Psychiatric & Behavioral Hospital
Houston, TX
Ages 13-17; 18+
Coeducational  
 
Meridell Achievement Center
Residential Treatment Center
Liberty Hill, TX
Ages 5-17
Coeducational  
 
Midnight Mountain Life Skills Training Center
Young Adult Program
Boyds, WA
Ages 18 to 24
Coeducational  
 
Mission Mountain School
Therapeutic Boarding School
Condon, MT
Ages 13 to 18
Girls Only  
 
Monarch Center for Family Healing (formerly Trailhead Wilderness School)
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Georgetown, CO
Ages 10 - 18
Coed and Single gender groups  
 
Montana Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Marion, MT
Ages 14 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Montcalm Outdoor Challenge Program
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Albion, MI
Ages 12 - 18
Boys & Girls in Single Gender Groups  
 
Montcalm School For Boys
Therapeutic Boarding School & Residential Treatment Center
Albion, MI
Ages 12 to 18; STL Program through 21
Boys only  
 
Montcalm School for Girls
Residential Treatment Center & Therapeutic Boarding School
Van Wert, OH
Ages 12 to 18
Girls only  
 
Moonridge Academy
Residential Treatment Center
Cedar City, UT
Ages 11-16
Girls Only  
 
Mount Bachelor Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Prineville, OR
Ages 14 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Mountain Homes Youth Ranch
Outdoor Therapeutic Program & Wilderness Program
Vernal, UT
Ages 12 - 17; 18-25
Coeducational  
 
National Deaf Academy, LLC
Residential Treatment Center
Mt. Dora, FL
Ages 6-17 and 18+
Coeducational  
 
New Dominion School of Maryland
Residential Treatment Center
Oldtown, MD
Ages 11 to 17
Boys Only  
 
New Dominion School of Virginia
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Dillwyn, VA
Ages 11 to 17
Male/Female separate campuses  
 
New Haven, Inc.
Residential Treatment Center
Provo, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Girls Only  
 
New Horizons For Young Women
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Orrington, ME
Ages 13 to 18
Girls Only  
 
New Leaf Academy
Boarding School
Bend, OR
Ages 10 through 15
Girls Only  
 
New Leaf Academy of North Carolina
Emotional Growth Boarding School
Hendersonville, NC
Ages 10 - 14
Girls  
 
New Lifestyles

Young Adult Program
Winchester, VA
Ages 18 - 26
Coeducational  
 
North Idaho Behavioral Health
Residential Treatment Center
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Ages 13 - 18
Coeducational  
 
NorthStar Center
Young Adult Program
Bend, OR
Ages 17.5 to 24
Coeducational  
 
Northwest Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Bonners Ferry, ID
Ages 17
Coeducational  
 
Northwest Passages
Transitional Living Facility
Kalispell, MT
Ages 16 to 22
Girls Only  
 
Oakley School
Boarding School
Oakley, UT
Ages 14 to 19
Coeducational  
 
Odyssey Wilderness Programs
Wilderness Program
Bellingham, WA
Ages 14 - 18
Coeducational  
 
Open Sky Wilderness Therapy
Wilderness Program
Durango, CO
Ages 13 - 17
Coeducational  
 
Optimum Performance Institute
Young Adult Program
Woodland Hills, CA
Ages 17 - 25
Coeducational  
 
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Residential Treatment Center
Gallup, NM
Ages 7 to 17
Girls Only  
 
Outback Therapeutic Expeditions
Wilderness Program
Lehi, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Paint Rock Valley
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Trenton, AL
Ages 10 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Pasadena Villa
Residential Treatment Facility
Orlando, FL
Ages 18 and above
Coeducational  
 
Passages To Recovery
Wilderness Program
Loa, UT
Ages 18 and up
Coeducational  
 
Peninsula Village
Residential Treatment Center
Louisville, TN
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Penrith Farms
Young Adult Program
Newport, WA
Ages 18 to 26
Coeducational  
 
Pine River Institute
Therapeutic Boarding School
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ages 13-18
Coeducational  
 
Prescott House
Residential Treatment Center
Prescott, AZ
Ages 18+
Male Only  
 
Provo Canyon School
Residential Treatment Center
Orem, UT
Ages 12 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Rancho Valmora
Residential Treatment Center
Valmora, NM
Ages 12 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Red Rock Canyon School
Residential Treatment Center
St. George, UT
Ages 13 to 18
Coeducational  
 
RedCliff Ascent
Wilderness Program
Enterprise, UT
Ages 13 to 17, 18 -24
Coeducational & single gender groups  
 
Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating Disorders
Inpatient & Residential Treatment Center
Wickenburg, AZ
Ages All Ages
Females Only  
 
Ridge Creek
Therapeutic Wilderness Program
Dahlonega, GA
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Rogers Memorial Hospital - Child & Adolescent Center
Intensive Residential Treatment Center
Oconomowoc, WI
Ages 12 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus
Residential Treatment Center
Rockford, IL
Ages 12-18
Coeducational  
 
SageWalk, The Wilderness School
Wilderness Program
Redmond, OR
Ages 13 through 17
Single Sex Groups  
 
San Cristobal Ranch Academy
Young Adult Program
Taos, NM
Ages 18 to 26
Boys Only  
 
Santiam Crossing
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Scio, OR
Ages 13 - 18
Coeducational  
 
Second Nature
Wilderness Program
Duchesne, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Second Nature Blue Ridge
Wilderness Program
Clayton, GA
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Second Nature Entrada
Outdoor Therapeutic Program & Young Adult Program
St. George, UT
Ages 13-17 and 18-50
Coeducational  
 
Shortridge Academy
Boarding School
Milton, NH
Ages 14-17+
Coeducational  
 
Sky Ranch For Boys, Inc.
Boardng School
Camp Crook, SD
Ages 10 to 18
Boys Only  
 
Soltreks
Wilderness Program
Two Harbors, MN
Ages 13 to 25
Coeducational  
 
Spring Lake Ranch
Young Adult Program
Cuttingsville, VT
Ages 17 and Up
Coeducational  
 
Spring Ridge Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Spring Valley, AZ
Ages 14 to 17
Girls Only  
 
Spruce Mountain Inn
Residential Treatment Center and Young Adult Program
Plainfield, VT
Ages 17 and Up
Coeducational  
 
St. Paul's Preparatory Academy
Boarding School
Phoenix, AZ
Ages 14 - 18
Boys  
 
Star Meadows Academy at Hope Ranch
Therapeutic Boarding School
Whitefish, MT
Ages 13-17 years
Girls Only  
 
Stone Mountain School
Therapeutic Boarding School
Black Mountain, NC
Ages 11-16 @time of enrollment
Boys Only  
 
Summit Achievement
Wilderness Program
Stow, ME
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Summit Preparatory School
Therapeutic Boarding School
Kalispell, MT
Ages 14-17
Coeducational  
 
SunHawk Academy
Residential Treatment Center
St. George, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Sunrise RTC
Residential Treatment Center
Hurricane, UT
Ages 12 - 17
Girls Only  
 
SUWS Adolescent and Youth Programs
Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Shoshone, ID
Ages Youth - 11 to 13; Adolescent - 14 to 18
Coeducational  
 
SUWS of the Carolinas
Wilderness Program
Old Fort, NC
Ages 14 to 18
Coeducational; Single Gender Groups  
 
Tamarack Center
Residential Treatment Center
Spokane, WA
Ages 12-17
Coeducational  
 
Telos Residential Treatment, LLC
Residential Treatment Center
Orem, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Boys only  
 
The Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Myrtle Point, OR
Ages 12 to18
Coeducational  
 
The Cedars Academy
Therapeutic Boarding School
Bridgeville, DE
Ages 10 to 18
Coeducational  
 
The Oliverian School
Boarding/Day School
Haverhill, NH
Ages 13 - 17
Coeducational  
 
Three Rivers Montana
Wilderness Program
Belgrade, MT
Ages 13-17
Coeducational  
 
Three Springs Courtland
Residential Treatment Center
Courtland, AL
Ages 12 - 19
Boys Only  
 
Timpanogos Family Services, LLC
Residential Treatment Center
Orem, UT
Ages 12 thru 17
Girls Only  
 
Top Flight Academy
Residential Treatment Center
Mt. Pleasant, UT
Ages 13 - 17
Boys Only  
 
Transitions of Galveston Island
Young Adult Program & Transitional Independent Living Program
Galveston, TX
Ages 18 and over
Men Only  
 
True North Wilderness Program
Wilderness Program
Waitsfield, VT
Ages 14-17
Coeducational  
 
Turn-About Ranch
Residential Treatment Center
Escalante, UT
Ages 12 to 18
Coeducational  
 
Turnabout/Stillwater Academy
Home-Based Residential Program and School
South Jordan, UT
Ages 12 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Turning Winds
Therapeutic Boarding School
Troy, MT
Ages 12 - 18
Coeducational  
 
Uinta Academy
Residential Treatment Center
Wellsville, UT
Ages 12 to 17
Girls Only  
 
University Behavioral Center
Residential Treatment Center
Orlando, FL
Ages 6-17
Coeducational  
 
Valley View School
Therapeutic Boarding School
North Brookfield, MA
Ages 10 - 15 (at admission)
Males Only  
 
Villa Santa Maria
Residential Treatment Center
Cedar Crest, NM
Ages 5 to 14
Coeducational  
 
Visions Adolescent Treatment Center
Residential Treatment Center
Malibu, CA
Ages 12 - 17
Coeducational  
 
Vista, RTC
Residential Treatment Center
Magna, UT
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational  
 
Wediko NH School & Treatment Program
Residential Treatment Center
Windsor, NH
Ages 6-21
Boys Only  
Wediko NH Summer Program

Residential Treatment Center & Outdoor Therapeutic Program
Hillsboro, NH
Ages 6 - 18
Coeducational, Single Gender Groups  
 
Wendigo Lake Expeditions
Wilderness Program
South River, Ontario,
Ages 14-17
Boys Only  
 
West Ridge Academy
Residential Treatment Center
West Jordan, UT
Ages 9-18
Boys Campus and Girls Campus  
 
Wilderness Quest
Wilderness Program & Residential Treatment and Young Adult
Monticello, UT
Ages 14-17/18-28
Coeducational/Adolescent & Young Adult Groups  
 
Wilderness Treatment Center
Residential Treatment Center and Wilderness Program
Marion, MT
Ages 14 to 24
Boys Only  
 
Willow Creek School
Residential Treatment Center
Provo, UT
Ages 14-17+
Coeducational  
 
Youth Care
Residential Treatment Center
Draper, UT

[Anonymous]

THAT... is WAY too fucking many.

[Anonymous]

"In conclusion, we invite the public, legislators, and critics to visit our programs. Inspect
and see for yourselves how we operate. Ask questions, talk to students and their families.

Oh really? I'd like to make a surprise visit with my Congressman to a few NATSAP programs. How many do you think would welcome us through the door to inspect the facility and talk privately with students or staff, unannounced? I can't be sure of the exact number, but it's somewhere around ZERO!!!

[Anonymous]

I can guarandamntee you this one will not. So you can mark it ZERO dude!


Peninsula Village
Residential Treatment Center
Louisville, TN
Ages 13 to 17
Coeducational

[Anonymous]

Might be interesting just to see what would happen. Would you be turned away, or allowed to tour the facility?

[Deborah]

Apparently Santa didn't appreciate the "Who's Watching the Kids" piece re: Montana programs, where programs self-regulate. Understandable as his program is in Montana.
John L. Santa, Ph.D. NATSAP President, Co-founder, Co-owner and Clinical Director, Montana Academy

What I am suggesting is that we as a profession must define our own measures of success and effectiveness. If we derive our own legitimate measures and are able to demonstrate effectiveness, as I am confident we can, then we have a chance of succeeding and protecting the creative psycho-social approaches we have all developed. If we wait passively to be measured by the standards imposed by governmental agencies, or compared to drug treatment and manualized treatments in terms of effect on their measures, we will fail and be absorbed into a standardized managed care world.
http://www.natsap.org/newsandmedia_pres ... y_2006.asp

[MightyAardvark]

Deleted

[stoodoodog]

I went to visit  my child when she was first incarcerated at one of the facilities listed above. After waiting for nearly half an hour in the lobby of the "rustic cabin" admissions unit, I was taken back to a clinicians office with another senior staffer. I was told NEVER to visit unannounced and that if I did want to visit I would need an appointment. I asked then to set an appointment for the following day. I was advised that appointments to visit with my child would need to be set up several weeks in advance. So as far as "surprise" visits? I concur with the Dr. above.

[ZenAgent]

What the hell is Santa babbling about?  NATSAP is joke, it's a dues-based membership.  Instead of us going out to inspect, WHY DON"T THEY?  Not that they would find anything wrong of course, as long as your dues are up to date.  From NATSAP:

The Association is governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors comprised of representatives from the NATSAP membership.   Now THERE'S a trustworthy bunch.  MightyAardvark has mentioned "the fox guarding the hen house," and here's a prime example.

Programs and schools join our organization voluntarily. The process in applying for NATSAP membership includes agreement to follow the NATSAP Ethical Principles and completion of self-reports on the NATSAP Principles indicating their compliance with each principle.
You KNOW these facilities would never, ever lie.

Full NATSAP membership status requires the school or program to be in full compliance with all of our principles. Membership is renewed annually at which time each member is required to sign the NATSAP Ethical Principles, submit a copy of their current licensure and/or accreditation and submit a self-report on any new principles that may have been established in the prior year. [/color]   NATSAP is a trusting bunch of souls.  Considering the crew on the Board of Directors, no surprise there.

The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs is not an accrediting or licensing body.    No shit.  

I'll say it again, Santa - NATSAP is a sham, as bogus as the wilderness camp outcome study.  Do you really expect people to believe NATSAP is an unbiased entity, capable of enforcing these "Ethical Principles"?  Your Board of Directors shows NATSAP is run by the programs, for the programs.  It looks impressive to have the "NATSAP Seal of Approval" at the top of a boot camp's website, but it means absolutely nothing.  Also:

"It has been allege that private residential programs treat serious emotional disorders without proper diagnosis or credentialed staff."

It has been ALLEGED...proofread, for God's sake.  You don't lend much credence to your ranting...and yeah, that's a fact, Santa, not an allegation.  We can back it up.

[Deborah]

Santa makes some wild, sweeping claims about NATSAP programs:

As member programs, we pledge to market our programs in a manner that is honest, complete and accurate in disclosure. We openly describe our treatment methods, and the qualifications of our staff. We agree to refuse payments for referrals and to fully disclose our costs.

"Pledge", not a guarentee. See the HLA forum for how the "cream of the crop" program markets its services. To the state they are a traditional boarding school providing no "therapy". To parent/Ed Cons they are a "therapeutic" facility. They also advertise as a Drug Treatment facility, although they are not licensed as such and have no Certified Addictions Counselors. Treatment methods are not openly described. Punishments are used that are not spelled out in the Parent Manual. Participants are strip searched without parents knowledge or consent. Staff qualifications have been misleading and deceptive. The staff MD's license was revoked years ago for stealing drugs for personal use, yet they just recently removed the MD from his bio. To name a few.

NATSAP Principles of Good Practice insist that programs operate with the utmost concern for human dignity and specifically prohibit any behavioral management procedures that involve sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, or that deny a nutritionally adequate diet for our participants. All programs must also have a clear written statement of participants rights openly disclosed to both participants and parents.

"Insist"? Who is checking and what are the "consequences" for a program when found to be in violation? A clear written statement of participants rights was never disclosed to me. Indeed my own parental rights were violated. My son was not given adequate calories while on Restrictions and made to throw his food away if he talked without permission, and further punished if he didn't throw it away when ordered to do so. Restraint was used inspite of HLAs claim to be a non-restraint facility. The program is emotionally abusive by design.

It has been allege that private residential programs treat serious emotional disorders without proper diagnosis or credentialed staff. Again our Principles of Good Practice, endorsed by all NATSAP programs, specifically require the full disclosure and description of staff qualifications. We agree not to provide services beyond our areas of
competence. Virtually all NATSAP programs operate with a full range of licensed psychologists, social workers, educators, and health care providers. The level of care and sophistication of individualized treatment in NATSAP programs stands in stark contrast to allegations of institutional abuse. Care is sensitive, nurturing, and highly professional.

Nice sales pitch. HLA has taken seriously disturbed, violent, suicidal, court-ordered kids inspite of claims to the contrary, and several were referred by the owner- a PhD and Ed Con. This is documented in the HLA forum and is a complaint in the Federal Class Action suit filed last week. Staff have complained about this for years.

But critics should understand that our programs are not based simply on the DSM IV symptom clusters. We draw from models of education, experiential education, psychology, psychiatry, social work, and family systems theory. NATSAP programs provide a complex milieu of bio-psycho-social-educational treatment that address multiple aspects of a child?s failure to mature and develop a resilient, adaptive character
structure. Each program places a unique emphasis on the various aspects of treatment.

Mr Santa, please disclose which evidence-based models NATSAP programs use and any related research that might show efficacy. Many here have been asking for this for years. And don't toss out the "study" NATSAP recently funded. It has no merit and was conducted and presented by two women with ties to the industry. Your programs need to be licensed so the public can get some real data and statistics.  

The result is 170 member programs each with a somewhat different blend of approaches, but all committed to the same basic principles of ethics and practice in which the value, dignity and safety of our students is paramount.

Like Booby (woops Bobbi Trott) Christensen. She agreed in a settlement not to run another program following the deaths of several students and staff. So what does she do? Moved to another state and hung out her shingle. Shall we hold her up as another glowing example of NATSAP programs? http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/155 ... sed02.html

Some allege that NATSAP opposes regulation and state licensure. We do not. This rumor is false. In fact, most NATSAP programs are fully licensed and accredited for all parts of their service. Only in states where appropriate licensure is not available for private programs is membership allowed without specific licensure.

The nerve!! That's just a bald-faced lie. Here's the challenge Mr Santa- reveal on each program's page if they are licensed by the state and provide a link, and if not, why NATSAP condones them operating without a license. If a program provides Drug Abuse Treatment/Education services, then list which agency they are licensed or certified by and which of the "counselors" are certified to provide these services.

In such cases programs must still certify that they are in compliance with the NATSAP code of ethics and practice principles.

What will HLAs consequence be for violating your Code of Ethics and Practice Principles? Does NATSAP condone their methods and procedures?

Indeed, NATSAP and its member programs have been
instrumental in lobbying states for strong regulation. As with any complex profession, we ask that regulation be deft, well informed and intelligently designed. We ask that regulators consider input from those who understand the profession, that the regulation recognize the unique qualities of programs, and that regulators do not simply apply standards designed for hospitals, extended stay hospitals , nursing facilities, detention centers, or traditional schools.

Any committee considering this needs to have Activists helping design the regulations. With NATSAP assistance you were able to create a self-regulating board in Montana, with only one independent person out of five
who doesn't have ties to the industry (that I'm aware of). Self-regulation of any industry is just wrong. It should be a huge Red Flag for any parent considering a placement in Montana. By the way buddy, where are the rules and regs for Montana programs? I'd like to read them.

We welcome intelligent state regulation and encourage all states to consider the NATSAP ethical principles and practice standards as a basis for state regulation and licensure.

I bet you do. I sure wish I could make the rules I have to follow in my business.

We resent well intentioned, but uninformed critics who call for restrictive and oppressive regulation that could eliminate professional, creative and competent alternatives to failed conventional diagnosis and care.

In the interest of transparency, you need to replace "creative" with Experimental.

Certainly we who operate NATSAP programs have our own tasks if we are to achieve a new level of trust. We must do a better job of educating the public about our programs and strive constantly to improve all aspects of what we do. We must operate with impeccable ethics. We must examine all of our individual and collective business practices to insure there is not even a perception of impropriety. Quality of care and safety in programs derive from our own self-study and efforts to improve our profession. Regulation and licensure are important, but not to create the ethics and practice standards of our profession. This we must do for ourselves.

Heaven help us and protect the kids.

[Deborah]

I went to visit  my child when she was first incarcerated at one of the facilities listed above. After waiting for nearly half an hour in the lobby of the "rustic cabin" admissions unit, I was taken back to a clinicians office with another senior staffer. I was told NEVER to visit unannounced and that if I did want to visit I would need an appointment. I asked then to set an appointment for the following day. I was advised that appointments to visit with my child would need to be set up several weeks in advance. So as far as "surprise" visits? I concur with the Dr. above.

I was required to attend a workshop after four months in order to see my son for 36 hours. I drove to HLA the evening before. As I pulled into the parking lot I saw my son come around the corner of a building wearing work clothes and picking up trash. I was driving over to say hello when I was accosted by a staff member who inquired as to who I was and what I was doing. She told me to leave the property and not return until the scheduled time. Did she consider saying hello to my son to be therapeutically counter-productive? Was this a "school" or a prison?
Ethical? Creative? Or just down right controlling and disrespectful?

[stoodoodog]

Ethical? NO!
Creative? Certainly NOT!
Controlling, disrespectful and I can think of a few other choice words.  Santa needs a brand new bag.

[ZenAgent]

I went to visit  my child when she was first incarcerated at one of the facilities listed above. After waiting for nearly half an hour in the lobby of the "rustic cabin" admissions unit, I was taken back to a clinicians office with another senior staffer. I was told NEVER to visit unannounced and that if I did want to visit I would need an appointment. I asked then to set an appointment for the following day. I was advised that appointments to visit with my child would need to be set up several weeks in advance. So as far as "surprise" visits? I concur with the Dr. above.

I was required to attend a workshop after four months in order to see my son for 36 hours. I drove to HLA the evening before. As I pulled into the parking lot I saw my son come around the corner of a building wearing work clothes and picking up trash. I was driving over to say hello when I was accosted by a staff member who inquired as to who I was and what I was doing. She told me to leave the property and not return until the scheduled time. Did she consider saying hello to my son to be therapeutically counter-productive? Was this a "school" or a prison?
Ethical? Creative? Or just down right controlling and disrespectful?

Ooooh...It's like deja vu all over again.  HLA and PV seem to share the philosophy that parents are meddlesome cretins bound to interfere with the behavior modification.  A parent is likely to be detrimental to the program by telling the child he(she)is not a worthless dirtbag, or worse yet, offer them hope of leaving before the "treatment" destroys them completely.