Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > Facility Question and Answers

topflight academy in Utah

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Deborah:
Yeh, I've read that site.
I'm not in disagreement with you. I said that Utah has some of the best regulations in the industry. If you've read and compared them to others, you know this is true. But that there is a problem with enforcement.
My neighbor was killed at Skyline Journey. The owner walked. He did loose his license for SJ, but just opened under a different name. I'm well aware of the politics in Utah. I've posted on that issue many times over the years, including numerous citiations of Stettler publicly claiming to have overlooked violations committed by his "fellow mormon saints".

And inspite of it all, it still makes sense to me that all programs be licensed and regulated. Without it, they are self-regulating private corporations and NO outside agency can enter the premises without negotiating or aquiring a court order. I'm under no illusion that regulation will ensure complete safety and appropriate treatment of children. Residential treatment has, and always will be, dangerous and risky by it's very nature.  

I also know that it ocassionally works, particularly when public pressure is applied to the licensing agency to do their job. If they have no jurisdiction, their hands are tied. Did you watch the Montana PBS documentary? This was made clearly evident. The state could not bring charges against Spring Creek in the death of Karlye Newman because they had no jurisdiction- they weren't licensed by DHS. Here we had a state agency prepared to take action, and couldn't. And now, there is no public record of this, except what one might find in news articles and forums. Parents can't call Montana DHS to acquire information about complaints or violations, or if accidents/deaths have ocurred at any of the 30 some programs there. For that benefit alone, they should be regulated, imo.

Deborah:
Yep, I hear ya. Depends on the smuck they send out. Licensing will never work as we wish it would because the reps are usually just someone doing a job for a check, or someone who likes weilding power. They frequently cite the small violations, overlooking the glaring red flags.
But, if I call in a complaint on a licensed program, they have to investigate. If the program is found in violation, they are cited. This goes in their public record. Staff can make complaints as well, and anonymously. Wish more would.
When licensed they are required to report serious injuries and deaths as well. Who else will document this?
To my knowledge all licensing agencies have the power to cite violations, issue fines, or close a facility; depending on the severity of the offense. It's rare that they revoke a license, but it does happen.

Joyce Harris:
Top Flight Academy hired Gayle Palmer DeGraff.

Palmer DeGraff owned/ran the program Summit Quest where Michelle Sutton died.  She was not charged in Michelle's Sutton's death, but she is not allowed to be licensed to run another facility in Utah.

You can also read about Gayle Palmer DeGraff's close association with Sue Scheff in the WWASP vs PURE transcripts.

This information alone would make me check this facility out throughly before considering placing any child there.

cove:
As far as I can tell Degraff does not work there any more. she is not mentioned on the website and her position is now handled by someone else.

mel0731:
Does anyone have any information about this institution?  I am really quite desparate and in need of this info soon.  My son's life is depending on it!

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