Alamar Ranch- Idaho

[Deborah]

IDAHO CITY - In a quiet community south of Idaho City off Highway 21 sits what was once a tree farm. If approved by Boise County, it could become a residential treatment facility for teens called Alamar Ranch.

Organizers of the project say it will begin with one house that will hold 12 male student. They would sleep, eat, and go to school in cabins, staying up to a year.

When it's totally finished, more than 100 teens could live at Alamar Ranch.

Besides offices, a gym, cafeteria and additional school rooms would be built. Alamar Ranch would serve teens from around the country who are dysfunctional, depressed, or have experimented with drugs and alcohol.
 
"If they are psycotic or anti social, they have a history of angry, agressive behavior or even if they have a history of being a sexual predator or having sexually acted out on someone else they would not be accepted here," said executive director Amy Jeppesen.

However, people in neighboring residential areas are against the creation of Alamar Ranch. A petition is circulating, and so far hundreds of signatures have been collected.

Many of those people gathered at the Osprey subdivision to explains their concerns.

They feel there isn't enough ambulance and fire service in the county to handle the additional population. Another worry is that Alamar Ranch is just too close to other residential property, creating a problem if kids escape.

"Our concern and nightmare would be to have Alamar Ranch staff going though our neighborhood with floodlights in the middle of the night looking for runners," said Brian Bulow.

Alamar admits sometimes teens take off, but the say that would not present a hazard to neighbors.

"The type of students that we are taking are not the kind of kids that are going to break into houses and hurt people, those are not the kind of kids that will be here," said Jeppesen.

Ranch offcials says they are working with local fire and law enforcement to address concerns, but opponents maintain it should not be built.

The Boise County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Alamar Ranch application March first at 6:30 p.m.

Until then, they are not commenting on the proposal.

Watch this Video:
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stor ... 0bb82.html

We need to get stories to send to the opposing neighborhood association and/or the P&Z Commission before Mar 1st. re: runaways at other programs, starting with the recent incident where the three girls hit the lady on the head with a frying pan, tied her up, and stole the car. Jeppesson is claiming that they won't have any kids there that would do such a thing.

[Anonymous]

So the locals aren't fond of the idea now, either?

Good.

Let's make them less fond of it.

[the sunday stealer]

This seems the most effective strategy in keeping programs from opening, the 'walmart grassroots strategy'. Ironic though, the reason keeping the place from opening is because the neighbors think the kids are all murderous hooligan druggies!  :rofl:

[Deborah]

I'd prefer to send information directly to the Osprey Property Owners Association, but can't find their contact info.
There may be someone on the P&Z Commission that supports the program, but if all else fails, their contact info:

Craig Wolford
Administrator        
413 Main Street
Idaho City, Idaho, 83631
cwolford@co.boise.id.us
Phone: 208-392-2293
Fax:  208-392-2259

Let's compile a list of news articles in this thread, which might come in handy in the future.

[Deborah]

Here we go. This is what I've been looking for. Sounds like it's not a good idea to send info to the Commissioners.....

http://www.noalamarranch.com/
www.noalamarranch.com.
 
"An operation like Alamar Ranch has no business being located near any residential property anywhere in Boise County." Bulow said.

He said residents out there wouldn't be bothered by low-density residential development, but they fear a treatment center for troubled teens will cause a lot of noise, traffic and safety concerns.  "You're
talking about young men who are in trouble and who need help," Bulow said. "You're talking about a facility that is adjacent to a residential area."
===========================================

My friends,
A "108 bed residential boarding school for troubled male teens" seems to me to be nothing more than marketing spin on what used to be called "Juvenile Hall". I believe it will NOT be a positive addition to the communities of Osprey and High Corral, and could have a similar negative impact on WR, Robie Creek and surrounding communities. As the President of Mores Creek Ambulance and a member of Wilderness Ranch Fire Protection District, I have grave concerns about the increase in call frequency a facility of this size could represent.

I also have concerns regarding the significant differences that exist between responding to an emergency call in a private home versus a group facility as proposed for Alamar Ranch. The fact this facility is intended to house (read = contain) troubled teens only adds to this concern. I can say with confidence that the personnel that comprise MCA and WRFPD (many folks volunteer for both) are well trained and adequately equipped for the frequency and types of emergency calls received from the communities we serve at this time. The addition of a facility of this size and proposed purpose will require additional training and equipment for which no funding is currently available.

Dirk Myers
President Mores Creek Ambulance

===========================================

Letter to Editor of Idaho World, Sent to IW but yet to be published
Dear Editor,

I am a Boise County resident who lives 1.5 miles from the proposed site of Alamar Ranch, a residential treatment center.  Because of its close location, I have been researching the issue and in questioning Boise County citizens, many have mentioned that I should not be concerned because it ?will probably be like Project PATCH which is a community asset.?  After reading the Alamar Ranch application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and becoming familiar with PATCH through its website, I find the two programs very different.

First, Alamar Ranch will be a for-profit enterprise while PATCH is non-profit with its land gifted to the cause.  Millions of dollars will be spent to purchase the Alamar Ranch land and to construct the buildings.  This leads me to fear what Lon Woodbury, an educational consultant from Bonners Ferry, Idaho who provides a nationwide referral service for parents with at risk teens, describes in his January 26, 2007 newsletter that ?faceless and powerful large corporations put[?] success for profits ahead of service to the children.?

What makes me feel even worse about the proposed venture is its size and quality of program compared to PATCH which averages 32 students at a time. Larry Stednitz, who has over forty years of therapy experience and has developed and managed over ten programs throughout the country, writes in his December 21, 2006 article for The Woodbury Reports newsletter about a 32 boy program saying the owners ?could easily expand their bed space . . ., but they choose to keep the census down in order to maintain their strong staffing and clinical programming.?   This description sounds like it could be written about PATCH.  

Unfortunately, what Stednitz explains next describes Alamar Ranch in the near future.  He says that ?once a program hits forty students, the character of that program changes significantly.?  The smaller programs ?require more fund-raising [as there is] more expense per day for the students.?  This means, the more students, the less cost, resulting in more profit for the owners of Alamar Ranch since by 2009, the plans are to build nine 5500 square foot homes to house 12 students each.  That means 108 students will be in treatment at a time.

Just as worrisome is the October (less than two months before the CUP was submitted) hiring of the Alamar Ranch executive director, Amy Jeppesen, who according to her previous employer?s, CERTS, website bio, has seven years of ?extensive experience working with adolescent girls.?  If the hiring company, of which Jeppesen is listed a co-owner, truly had the well being of 108 young at-risk boys in mind, surely a more qualified director would have been hired sooner in the planning process.
 
While PATCH uses a faith based healing program, the application for Alamar lists no details about the type of treatment they will use.  PATCH is accredited by numerous agencies, including the Wilderness Program; however, licensing has yet to take place for Alamar Ranch.  As of December 22, 2006 the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare had not been notified of Alamar?s application for a CUP.  None of these issues makes the families or owners of the 150 or so homes and lots that are adjacent to the proposed Ranch feel very secure. Neither does it sit well that a company would view Boise County as a place that would support such ambiguous plans.

Another difference between the two programs is that Project PATCH offers a sliding scale to decide on the cost to charge the families for the program as well as scholarships from donors.  Alamar Ranch will create a non-profit foundation (from their profits) to provide a scholarship benefit to local families; however, they do not say in which year these scholarships will begin.  The application mentions that they will also conduct fundraising efforts to help add to the fund.  According to this summer?s PATCH newsletter, this is the first year they finished with no debt.  Unfortunately, I predict money needed at the non-profit, gift-reliant Project PATCH may end up going to a for-profit corporation that owns Alamar Ranch.

One way the two programs will be similar is in the percentage of Idaho children served.  At PATCH just 7% of the participants are from Idaho.  So, does Boise County really need Alamar Ranch?

While the proposed ranch application lists several reasons why we do, I question them.  They claim they will employ mostly Boise County residents, but also explain that they expect over half the employees will carpool.  From Boise city, do they mean?  Why would most Boise County residents carpool when the proposed location is just 15 minutes south of Idaho City right off Highway 21?  Many of the jobs require specialized college educations to which I worry will leave our local public schools competing with Alamar Ranch for qualified teachers and assistants.  The application also claims they will purchase food stuffs for 108 boys plus staff from the local grocery stores.  I wonder if the Idaho City store owners have been contacted about these plans?

They say the property values of nearby homes will increase, but the research stating this comes from ones like the STEP project in California cities where drug treatment homes, not large adolescent treatment facilities, were the ?best kept in the neighborhood,? and decreased crime for several blocks around.  The reason for their research is to make sure residents had substance abuse centers nearby versus having to travel great distances for such services.  Using such reports as if they apply to the Alamar Ranch project or to Boise County is very misleading.
 
After contacting the Alamar Ranch Project Manager, Chris about the proposed location of the treatment center, he responded on December 27, 2006 by email, ?In searching for our location, we did change from Garden Valley to a location near Idaho City.?  In my opinion, all Boise County residents should be concerned about this project as the location could change again.
 
For these reasons and many others which will be addressed at the January 18th public hearing in Garden Valley, please seriously consider the impact of Alamar Ranch on our county.  Planning and Zoning requests letters of opinion be received by January 10th.  Project PATCH is testament to the fact that it takes more than money to successfully create a healing environment.  Any project aimed at caring for children should be carefully scrutinized, for their sake, as well as for the ongoing reputation of Boise County.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Gammon

=========================================

The copy of the Letter to Boise County P&Z originally listed in this space under the authors approval, has been removed at the authors request.  Copies of the text are not available from noalamarranch.com.

===========================================

Letter to Editor of Idaho World, Published Dec 27, 2006

Boise County residents need to be aware that they have been targeted yet again for inappropriate development by the developer Oaas Laney.  Yes, this is the same outfit that is behind the overly dense Garden Valley development - South Fork Landing.  Oaas Laney would like to build a Teen "Residential Treatment Center" near Hwy 21 and Grimes Creek called "Alamar Ranch".  Their specific property of interest is Green Ranch, which is directly adjacent to the neighborhood of Osprey.

 Alamar Ranch LLC has filed an application for Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow Oaas Laney to develop a 80+ acre ?Residential Treatment Center? housing 72 troubled young men ages 13 to 17.  Alamar?s planned customer base is male youth with a history of At-Risk Behavior, Anger Control Problems, and most importantly, Substance Abuse Issues.  On the surface this sounds like a beneficial facility and a good idea if located in a remote, non-residential area.  Would you consider the Osprey Neighborhood near Hwy21 and Grimes Creek to be remote?   Alamar has no business whatsoever being placed close to ANY residential area ANYWHERE in Boise County.  Placing a "Residential Treatment Center" that caters to troubled teenage young men adjacent to ANY residential area is just ludicrous.

According to documentation dated early 2006, Alamar was initially planned to be built in the Garden Valley area (also an inappropriate location).  But this was before South Fork Landing became a possibility for Oaas Laney and their attention turned toward that effort.  This Idaho World reader finds it curiously convenient that South Fork Landing was approved by then County Commissioners Jackson, Lawson, and Stutzman in a closed door session and not a year later the very same developer is planning Alamar for the opposite side of the county.  I also find it interesting that according to the Idaho Secretary of State, Alamar Ranch LLC is owned by, you guessed it, Oaas Laney.  What does a major Boise based developer know about rehabilitating male youth ages 13-17 with substance abuse issues?

The Boise County Zoning and Development Ordinance requires an approved CUP any time certain land uses are proposed that ?will cause damage, hazard, or nuisance to persons, or property in the vicinity?.   A Teen "Treatment Center" certainly qualifies for all of these negative affects upon ANY residential real estate ANYWHERE along the Hwy 21 corridor.  If approved, the real estate values and critical tax base of Osprey, Wilderness Ranch, Idaho City and any other residential real estate along the Highway 21 corridor will be affected.  Safety issues are also a huge concern.  Alamar plans to offer ?Equine Therapy?.  Do we want problem male youth riding horseback around the county causing who knows what kind of trouble?

Without exception every person I have discussed this issue with to-date feels the CUP must be denied outright without amendment or appeasement.  If you agree, here?s how to help:

1) Write Boise County P&Z stating your opposition to the Alamar Ranch CUP.  List the reasons for your opposition, including negative affect upon real estate and tax base values, safety concerns, increased traffic issues, and other concerns you have.  Comments must be into P&Z by no later than Jan 10, 2007, per County regulation.  Mail to: Boise County Planning and Zoning, PO Box 1300, Idaho City, Idaho, 83631.  You may also walk-in your letter to P&Z at: 413 Main St, Idaho City.

2) Attend the P&Z hearing on this issue scheduled for January 18, 2007 at Garden Valley High School.  As learned from South Fork Landing, it is important to have MANY people speak in opposition to the CUP application or ANY Teen "Residential Treatment Center" planned near a residential area.

3) Join others opposing Alamar Ranch and share your comments at NoAlamarRanch@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

Like that lardass Sky, I find this hilarious.

These people are acting out of stupid, short-sighted NIMBYism, not out of concern for anything else, especially not the kids. They think it's like Juvenile Hall. Ha!

So, I'm wondering- is it a good idea to keep the stupid, short-sighted NIMBYism as our tool or send them something to enlighten them?

I think I'm going to send them a combination of both.

Let's see, which pseudonym should I use...

[Deborah]

Anyone know anything about Oaas Laney? I don't have time to research this, so if anyone can assist there I'd appreciate it. Just sent an initial email to the contact for NoAlamarRanch.

AMY JEPPESEN- Director, Co-Owner
And she's only a licensed clinical social worker with seven years experience in the industry.

CHANGES AT NEW HAVEN
(January 6, 2005) Dustin Tibbitts, Executive Director of New Haven, Provo, UT, 801-380-4367, announced that on December 1, 2004, John Stewart, LCSW, was promoted to Clinical Director for all three of New Haven?s homes. He also announced that Amy Jeppesen, LCSW, was appointed as the Marketing Director. Jeppesen started at New Haven over five years ago as a therapist, then Assistant Clinical Director, and most recently, was the Clinical Director at North House. She will work with David Mayeski, LCSW, who continues as Admissions Manager

LA EUROPA ACADEMY ANNOUNCES NEW STAFF
(June 8, 2005) Kent Tasso, Admissions, 801-755-8802, Amy Jeppesen, Clinical Director, La Europa Academy, Salt Lake City, UT, 801-633-3653, announced that the newest addition to the Certified Educational Recreation and Therapeutic Schools and Programs (C.E.R.T.S.) now has 12 students enrolled with a capacity of 30 girls. They also included the following staff announcements: Kori Mayeski, M.S., Education Director; Nora Urbanelli, LCSW, Program Director; Johanna Beeman, MA, Art Therapy and Courtney Merrill, Wilderness Therapist.

JEPPESEN DIRECTOR OF ALAMAR RANCH
(October 26, 2006) Chris Tverdy, Alamar Ranch, Boise, ID, 208-514-4620, announced that Amy Jeppesen has accepted the position of Executive Director and a co-owner of the program. To contact Amy, please e-mail her amyj@alamarranch.com or call her at 208-514-4543.
Amy, who has more than seven years of experience in the residential treatment industry, will lead Alamar Ranch's efforts in designing an innovative therapeutic, academic and residential program. Her knowledge, skill and experience in the residential treatment industry fit well with Alamar Ranch's mission to provide the best quality of care and education to our youth and their families.
Amy brings with her extensive experience working with adolescents in a residential setting. She has worked as a therapist, clinical director, marketing and admissions director and executive director. Amy has also served on the NATSAP Board of Directors during the past year and on many NATSAP committees. Amy has a great passion for working with adolescents and providing the highest quality of care. Amy's innovative approach and great team building skills will help us build a team and treatment facility that is dedicated to outstanding care.
Alamar Ranch is located in a quiet mountain community near the entrance to the Boise National Forest just 30 minutes north of Boise, Idaho. Alamar Ranch will specialize in servicing adolescent males with therapeutic/educational programs that have a comprehensive, integrated treatment approach.
Please join us in congratulating Amy on her appointment to executive director of Alamar Ranch and in wishing her continued success in positively impacting today's youth.

Sincerely,
Chris Tverdy
Alamar Ranch
www.alamarranch.com
208-514-4620
~~

November 6, 2006
Dear colleges and friends,
I hope this letter finds you well. I have enjoyed working with many of you through the years we have spent in the industry together. I feel blessed to have many of you as close friends. It has been fun to work closely with you in helping students and families find healing and peace.
Through much thought and careful consideration I have decided to leave CERTS as the Executive Director. I will be departing from CERTS on November 10 , 2006. I feel very confident in Kent Tasso, David Mayeski, Kori Mayeski and the rest of the CERTS team to continue to provide excellent care. I have enjoyed my time as the CERTS Executive Director.
While I am saddened to leave my friends and colleges at CERTS, I am also very excited for this new opportunity to be the Executive Director of a program that will be committed to individualized, creative care and providing the highest standards for students and families. I will be starting my new position on November 27, 2006.
I look forward to continuing to work with all of you in the future with this new adventure. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ajeppesen@gmail.com or call me at 208-514-4543.
Warmest regards,
Amy Jeppesen L.C.S.W.

[Deborah]

Like that lardass Sky, I find this hilarious.
These people are acting out of stupid, short-sighted NIMBYism, not out of concern for anything else, especially not the kids. They think it's like Juvenile Hall. Ha!
So, I'm wondering- is it a good idea to keep the stupid, short-sighted NIMBYism as our tool or send them something to enlighten them?
I think I'm going to send them a combination of both.
Let's see, which pseudonym should I use...

Does it matter what they're acting out of?
What I see, is that they are attempting to educate themselves on what is going in their backyard, and some appear to be doing their homework. Contact them if you have something to that effect to contribute. Not to attack them for being ignorant about the industry.

[Anonymous]

Deb. Give me some credit. I might be nasty here but I'd never actually attack people like that in email. I did, however, give them some disturbing information...

(Hi, guys! You reading this? Think what you want of me, but that info I gave you? It's all true. Every word. They're even sicker than THAT but I didn't want to get repetitive with the quotes.)

[Deborah]

I have to run some errands, but could use some help compiling links to news articles on:

1) Kids who have runaway and injured themselves or others. ie- the boys who left the staff for dead after beating him with a baseball bat, the boys who beat staff and ran from one of the wilderness programs, the girls who ran last month after knocking the lady out and tying her up... I know there are others I'm not thinking of right now.

2) Riots at programs like Ivy Ridge.

3) Example of programs that were denied permits to operate, like Hinton at Kemper, due to the nature of the program and client demographics.

I'm also interested in anything about Oaas Laney, and the programs Jeppesen has worked at previously.

Thanks to anyone willing to help compile this info.

[Deborah]

Here's what I've got. Got anything to add?

Maximum Life Skills Academny- Two boys beat program counselor to death with baseball bat and flee.
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?p=39589#39589
 
Aspen Achievement Academy- 6 teens beat counselor and escape program
http://www.isaccorp.org/aspen/aspen-ach ... 12.96.html
 
Redcliff Ascent- 8 teens escape after beating one counselor (tried to break his legs) and tying up the other [Attorney says "self defense"]
http://www.teenliberty.org/RedCliffs.htm
 
Ivy Ridge- 30 teens riot and escape
http://www.isaccorp.org/ivyridge/ivy-ri ... 17.05.html
 
Bethel/Eagle Point- 6 in custody, 7 to the hospital, following riot
http://www.isaccorp.org/bethel/eagle-po ... 10.05.html
 
Obsidian Trails- 2 run, hold rancher and wife a knifepoint before stealing car
http://www.nospank.net/n-g82.htm
 
Montrose Alternative Youth Adventures- 4 flee program
http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2 ... news01.txt
 
Bethel- Eleven girls run away from program, claim abuse
http://www.isaccorp.org/bethel/bethel-g ... 16.05.html
 
CEDU- 18 escapes in 3 months, 41 calls for service
http://www.isaccorp.org/cedu/cedu.05.01.04.html
Another report claims 30 calls a month for run aways
http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_d ... osing.html
 
Alldredge Academy- Staff consistently failed to notify police when residents ran
http://cafety.org/index.php?option=com_ ... &Itemid=87
 
CEDU- Riot at program reveals abuse, lawsuit
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:L7 ... cd=2&gl=us
Five injured
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:tP ... cd=3&gl=us
 
Cottonwood Youth Academy- Riot, one escape, Council considering a change to zoning laws, program currently define as "school"
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=117967
 
Wellspring Academy- Riot, threats to burn down the facility
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?p=19552#19552
 
Spring Creek Lodge- Teen falls off cliff attempting to escape abuse at program
http://www.isaccorp.org/springcreek/spr ... 22.05.html
 
Eagle Point- Teen runs away, claims abuse
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?p=86622#86622
 
New Hope- 3 pregnant teens assault staff with frying pan, tie her up, and escape in company van
http://www.caica.org/New_Hope_Maternity ... -20-07.htm

Royal Gorge Academy- Director arrested following girls escape and allegations of abuse
http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.ph ... 492#241492
 
Kemper- Council vetos bid on facility slated to house at-risk youth
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:L7 ... cd=2&gl=us
when former student allege abuse
http://www.caica.org/NEWS%20Kemper%20st ... lleges.htm

Ivy Ridge- Accreditation suspended
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600128053,00.html
Behavior modification facility can not operate as a private school
http://www.isaccorp.org/ivyridge/ivy-ri ... .06.b.html

Analysis of the Industry by three PhDs
http://www.nospank.net/pinto.htm

[Anonymous]

No, to multiple people.

[Deborah]

Alamar's web site, "Alamarranch.com" has been "suspended" and is not available

This is typically a voluntary action made by the domain owner (Oaas Laney).   We do not know why Oaas Laney would suspend their own web site but we are hopeful it is good news for our effort!  Our guess is that Oaas Laney has made a change in approach to Alamar and wants to review or update the site, but that's only a guess. We will list updates here as soon as we know anything further.

Update: Jan 17, 2007  -  Alamar's site is up again
We notice minor changes such as:
"Strategic University Partnerships" is now "University Partnerships"
"Integrated Treatment Center" is now "Integrated Treatment"
"Oppositional defiant conduct disorder" is now "Oppositional defiant"
And of course the presentation stating Garden Valley as the location,  is now missing.

[Deborah]

So do you want to send that information to all the same person?

I'll be sending the list to the NoAlamarRanch group when it's complete. There's no reason to duplicate. What I want now is links to any stories I've missed. I know runaways are common, but only a fraction make it into the media.

I'm also curious about the players:

Owner/Developer: Amy Jeppesen and Joanne Green
Joanne owns the property (80+ ac) at 30 Green Ranch Rd

Planning for 9 buildings with 12 students in each or 108 total.
Are they licensed? How many kids have they been approved for?

Is Jeppesen licensed? I can't find her listed as an LCSW.
https://secure.ibol.idaho.gov/eIBOLPubl ... owser.aspx

Statutory Penalties Under Article IV. Violations of licensing requirements is a misdemeanor. (Idaho Code 39-1220). Imprisonment for up to one year and/or a $500 fine and possible loss of license. Any person who practices social work in Idaho without a license shall be guilty of a misdemeanor (Idaho Code 54-3217).

Articles of Organization- Limited Liability Co
Alamar Ranch, LLC
Registered Agent (Manager)- Oaas & Laney, Inc
Paul M. Boyd- person responsible for forming LLC
Filed Mar 2006

Who is Paul Boyd. What if any, connections does he, Oaas, Laney have to the industry?

[psy]

i got something to add to the CEDU section

http://http://www.mountain-news.com/articles/2005/03/31/news/news1.txt

it's an article on CEDU in Running Springs (where Jayne used to work as Director).. it details the almost weekly visits of the cops and the impact on local business.