Who Hit The Chicken Switch?

[Anonymous]

Lon doesn't sound stable.  He sounds shrill.  Hysterical

"It might be changing as old models, approaches and well known leaders fade away to be replaced by new models, approaches and new leaders"

You're not being replaced by new models, Lon.  There will be no more models, production has moved to the Far East and you shunt out of a gig real soon.  Stay in the same field of interest, like selling time-shares or televangelism.  

the private residential network for struggling teens is holding its own

Lon is holding his own too.  He has a stess boner.

Despite the economic downturn, this network is not dying.

It's puking blood, writhing in it's own shit and having seizures.  But oh no, it ain't dying.

That they are being replaced by lesser known new programs seems to be the reality. Some of these new programs will probably become well known in the future.

Nothing gets past Lon Woodbury.  The man is on top of it at all times.  Those new programs will be well known here.

programs for struggling teens from which parents can choose is still a dynamic force and this trend is holding its own.

He's still got a death grip on his weenus.  Inappropriate spontaneous priapism sometimes occurs during moments of great panic or fear.  

it appears pressing the Panic Button would be an overreaction.

Never trust an angst ridden, terrified compulsive masturbator.  You are a shitty cheerleader Lon.  You do a lousy Polly Anna.  

http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... tml#Jumpto

Essays
   


Posted: Oct 24, 2008
13:21
   

ARE WE READY FOR THE PANIC BUTTON YET?


by Lon Woodbury

As I write this (mid-October), virtually all the media is talking about is the economy. Our attention is riveted on the wild ride of the Stock Market, the freeze in credit and a crisis in the housing market, along with government and private efforts to solve our problems. Even coverage of the Presidential and Congressional campaigns emphasizes what the candidates are proposing to "fix" the problems in our economy.

This concern over the economic crisis and how it will impact the network of private residential parent-choice schools and programs for struggling teens has been a major topic of conversation among professionals in this field all year. Some have expressed the fear that the network is dying, while others point to declining enrollments, partly due to parents feeling the economic pinch. These fears have been fed and magnified by notices of several well known and respected programs closing, with many fearing there are many more closures coming.

The positive side is that, despite all this, there have been some new startups this year. Incredibly, despite all the economic doom and gloom talk starting in January, a few visionaries are confident they can be successful in establishing a program that works with struggling teens in this economy. To get a quick feel for what the true picture is regarding closures and startups, I asked our Market Analyst, Candace Bynum, to research a list of each with the hope that some specifics will provide a clearer picture of what is really happening in this network. Both of the following lists are limited to residential programs for struggling teens that are private and open to working directly with parents in making a placement decision (parent-choice). Every effort was made to ensure accuracy, but please let me know if there are any errors or overlooked programs.


13--Programs closed in 2008
NAME    STATE    CORPORATE
AFFILIATION    YEAR
OPEN    MONTH
CLOSED
Achievement Valley Ranch    Tennessee    --    2002    July
Mountain Brook    Georgia    Hidden Lake    2007    February
Manuia Plantation    Samoa    --    2007    April
Transitions    Texas    Solicium    2005    July
Choteau Youth Ranch    Montana    --    2002    July
Mission Mountain    Montana    --    1989    August
Betton House    Pennsylvania    Family Foundation    2005    August
Willow Creek    Utah    Second Nature    2005    September
New Dominion    Maryland    Three Springs    1981    September
Duck River    Tennessee    Three Springs    1990    October
Excel Academy    Texas    CRC    1997    October
New Horizons    Maine    --    2001    October
Moonridge Academy    Utah    Certs    2004    October


15--Programs opened in 2008
NAME     STATE     CORPORATE
AFFILIATION     MONTH
OPENED
Cramer Creek     Montana     SLE     January
Schrom Home Care     Idaho     --     January
Renovo Boys Academy     Missouri     Proficio     March
New Directions     Florida     --     April
Vantage Point & Momentum     Utah     Aspiro     May
Elements Wilderness     Utah     --     May
Shelterwood     Colorado     --     May
Ponca Pines     Nebraska     Uta Halee Girls Village     July
My Choice     Samoa     Coral Reef     August
Becket House at Warren     New Hampshire     Becket Family of Services     August
Grace House     Montana     --     August
Red Hill Academy     California     --     September
Austin Sendero Eating Disorder     Texas     CRC     September
Wingate Wilderness     Utah     --     September
Center for Change Las Vegas     Nevada     Center for Change     October



The most obvious generalization from these two lists is that the private residential network for struggling teens is holding its own. Despite the economic downturn, this network is not dying. It might be changing as old models, approaches and well known leaders fade away to be replaced by new models, approaches and new leaders, but residential programs for struggling teens based on parent-choice remain a dynamic and significant part of residential schools and programs for teens with problems.

Another aspect to keep in mind is the context of how many private parent-choice residential schools and programs there are. Woodbury Reports works from a growing list that was about 650 residential programs last Spring which we have been able to find from around the country that fit the definition of being private, residential, parent-choice for struggling teens. The list of closures above represents just two percents of the total. That some of them are well known and have been around for several years just magnifies the emotional impact of their closing. That they are being replaced by lesser known new programs seems to be the reality. Some of these new programs will probably become well known in the future.

It seems that the number of residential schools and programs for struggling teens from which parents can choose is still a dynamic force and this trend is holding its own. Although all professionals in this field should be cautious and concerned about developments in the economy, so far it appears pressing the Panic Button would be an overreaction.

[Anonymous]

This is what's known as "sampling bias", boys and girls. I don't think he mentioned all the closures. And he definitely doesn't mention the bleeding from the larger ones that are only staying in business on stored-fat cash.

I'll wager that half of those upstarts, assuming they even exist (never put anything past Lon Woodbury, ever; he'd rape every survivor on this forum to shut them up if he thought he could get away with it) don't even see a single kid cross their doors. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't find out who the owners are, how many outstanding warrants they have, how many divorces they've gone through, and/or if they have any adult children who would be horrified if they only knew what their fuckshit parents were doing.

Ah, 'tis a task for investigators more dedicated than I...

[Ursus]

It seems to me that logic would dictate that there will be an overall decrease in total enrollment regardless of industry efforts, or of those who are opposed to it, for the simple reality of the current direction the economy is taking. This kind of "luxury" is one of the first things people re-think as they address the feasibility of continuing their current lifestyle.

The industry wants to prevent people from realizing that, and certainly wants to prevent people from considering that it might not just be entirely due to the economy that total enrollment is dropping. I found it noteworthy that Lon's Market Analyst, Candace Bynum, compiled two lists composed of programs which had ended in 2008, and programs which had begun in 2008 (with the latter list conveniently a little longer than the former), rather than actually address the question of the factual and comparative total number of individuals enrolled at these places head-on. A list of programs? Come on! What kind of bullshit market analysis is that?!!

So anyway, given the situation as it is, the question of appearances becomes critical. A program that has displayed a continued pattern of dropping enrollments must be excised or retooled and renamed so as to present an appearance of progress and growth. How many of those so-called "new" programs on Lon's list are really just repackaging of some "old" programs whose marketing campaigns clearly failed? Obviously, large conglomerates like Aspen and WWASPS will have a much easier time at this than the smaller family-run affairs. Hence the increase of "services offered" and the newly formed partnerships and alliances that we are seeing. Probably we'll even see discounted rates or "SALE!" for "limited time only" as things continue.

Why, even U.S. Transport wants you to know that they offer candy, snacks, and movies for that "ride of a lifetime" that is now being offered at reduced rates (!!), for a limited time only...

[ZenAgent]

So anyway, given the situation as it is, the question of appearances becomes critical. A program that has displayed a continued pattern of dropping enrollments must be excised or retooled and renamed so as to present an appearance of progress and growth.

You're a prescient man, Ursus.  Peninsula Village is already putting forth the "kinder, gentler" routine.  While never saying they failed in the past and they won't acknowledge the past.  With tuition at $100,000 per annum, PV is one of the first to take the nosedive nosedive in admissions Ursus mentions.  PV counselors are bitching on their blogs that the attempt to change is utterly failing, they can't control the kids and some are threatening to quit.  One counselor bitched about the kids acting "entitled".  Girls' STU was empty and one of the cabins and a clan were deleted.

From Bob Pegler: a whitewashing that never admits fault but refuses to look back. My notes are in blue.

http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 0915.shtml

MOTIVATIONAL ENHANCEMENT & INTERVIEWING

By Bob Pegler, CAS

Over the past two decades there has been a movement to integrate various models of addiction into a more comprehensive approach. There are several themes that have changed the way we see our patients. These themes include emphasizing the patients’ strengths and competencies rather than simply focusing on their limitations.
There has also been a movement away from authoritative standardized treatment approaches to an approach based entirely on the patient’s individual needs. In the traditional medical model patients received treatment from practitioners. Now the client is seen as a partner who works with the staff on treatment goals. There has also been an increased understanding of the need for empathy rather than authority and power to encourage change. Finally, there is greater integration of treatment approaches for patients with co-occurring disorders.

Beginning this spring, Peninsula Village has embarked on a more client-centered approach which incorporates the changes mentioned above. This approach is called Motivational Interviewing (or Motivational Enhancement). We are currently training our staff in this approach. As the name applies, the focus of this counseling technique is to utilize each young person’s own motivation to help them change.
There are five stages of change in recovery according to this model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1984).

1   Precontemplation – the patient is not considering change and is at least partially unaware problem exists.
2   Contemplation – the patient is aware that problem exists, but is ambivalent about change.
3   Preparation – the advantages of change outweigh status quo.
4   Action – the patient chooses strategy for change and begins to pursue it.
5   Maintenance – the patient learns to detect and guard against triggers. Relapse can be part of this learning process.

Relapses are simply understood as a recurrence to one of the earlier stages of change and are a normal process of change. This helps us understand why our patients so frequently return to old behaviors soon after experiencing success with new behaviors. (Relapses have become such a problem that parents have been questioning the worth of the program.  So, Bob Pegler now spins relapses into part of a "normal process of change".  Most people view relapses as setbacks, not normal.  The "success with new behaviors" means the patients didn't do any drugs (other than PV's) or drink while in the program.  Forced sobriety in a locked facility is not teaching a new behavior, it's denial of access. PV has no reliable study showing any long term success and parents are talking to each other about their kids problems following treatment and getting pissed)   Research into this approach compared to other treatment methods has been very positive. Project MATCH was the largest clinical trial ever conducted comparing different alcohol treatment methods. It consisted of a variety of patients with different severities of problems, most of whom met the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Dependence. Short sessions of Motivational Enhancement Therapy yielded long term outcomes as good as or better than longer outpatient methods (Project MATCH Research Group, 1997a).

The central element of Motivational Enhancement is the FRAMES approach:
•   Feedback – assessment of the patient’s substance abuse or other destructive patterns
•   Responsibility – responsibility for change lies with the patient
•   Advice – advice on how to change is presented to patient in non-judgmental manner
•   Menus – change and treatment options are offered to the patient
•   Empathy – warmth, respect and understanding are emphasized ("I understand you don't want the shot of Klonopin and the transport jacket is uncomfortable.  I feel you, and I respect your opinion.  Let me get some warmth in my hand before I lay it on your butt to give you the booty juice jab")
•   Self-Efficacy - optimistic empowerment helps patient encourage change


Just as change is difficult for our patients, treatment centers like Peninsula Village are often challenged when we try to make changes. Over the past couple of months Peninsula Village has experienced some staff loss as we have begun to make these changes. Teaching and practicing a new treatment approach with over 100 staff has been both exciting and challenging. For the Village, as for our patients and families, change is a process and it will not occur overnight. The difficulties and setbacks that we experience will provide us with experiences we can learn from and are not failures.(Translation:  We don't know what we're doing and we're going to use your kids as guinea pigs.  If your kid is one of our setbacks, it's not our failure and your kid was a learning experience)

We appreciate the feedback and support we have received from our staff, patients, alumni, families and referral sources during this process. Your feedback helps us navigate these changes.

[ZenAgent]

Pegler made a complete turnaround in a few months from defending PV's practices to abandoning them.

http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 0107.shtml

Worried by What you See in the Media and on the Internet About Adolescent ‘Tough Love’ Programs?  Know the Facts.

By Bob Pegler,
Manager of Community Relations and Recovery Services
(Now program director and no degree at all in his curriculum vitae)


January 06, 2008

I wish to speak about a serious issue that currently faces the adolescent treatment field and to share with you my perspective on that issue. You likely have heard that the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor conducted a hearing in October on “tough love” type programs for adolescents. Committee Chairman, George Miller of California seeks to eliminate programs that abuse and neglect children in the name of therapy. The impetus for the hearing was a series of allegations regarding the abuse and death of youth enrolled in residential treatment programs across the country.

I wish to applaud the committee for its efforts and to assure you that Peninsula Village is 100% supportive of its goals. As a society of people, we simply cannot tolerate the things that have occurred in some facilities. There are two things, however, that are occurring in relation to these efforts that are problematic.

First, there is much confusion in the general public about the kinds of facilities where these things have occurred and facilities such as Peninsula Village. That confusion has caused some parents to not place their children in residential treatment when needed. Such decisions will certainly cause some adolescents to spiral further out of control and face even greater dangers because of the lack of treatment. Below are some distinctions I believe are worth noting:


    * The Government Accountability Office report presented to the House committee in October included a discussion of 10 deaths that occurred between 1990 and 2004. All of them occurred in programs that refer to themselves as wilderness therapy programs, boot camps or academies. These are relatively new designations with less universal definition and therefore little regulation. By contrast, Peninsula Village is classified as a “residential treatment facility” – a designation that has existed in the mental health field for decades, is universally understood, and is well regulated.


    * Generally those programs where abuse and death have occurred are not licensed by the state in which they operate nor are they accredited by a national healthcare accreditation body. By contrast, Peninsula Village is licensed by the State of Tennessee as a residential treatment facility and is accredited by the Joint Commission, the most prestigious national accrediting agency for healthcare facilities.


    * Most of those programs have very limited involvement of professionally trained and licensed mental health staff. By contrast, Peninsula Village employs a licensed doctoral level psychologist as our full-time Clinical Director. We also employ eight masters prepared mental health therapists and two masters prepared activities therapists.


    * Most of those programs have even less involvement of medical professionals. By contrast, Peninsula Village employs a full-time, Board Certified Child Psychiatrist who is also Board Eligible in Addictions Medicine. We employ a psychiatric nurse practitioner and a staff of eight psychiatric registered nurses. We also have family practice physicians who come to the Village daily as needed to treat our children with general medical problems.


My second concern is about a parallel movement occurring across the country that seeks to destroy the reputation of adolescent treatment providers and thereby limit the number of adolescents who access such treatment. This movement is being driven by a variety of people including former patients and their families – most often those who did not have a successful treatment experience.[/size]("did not have a successful treatment experience" sounds disdainful.  What made it unsuccessful, Bob?  Why would people still be traumatized from PV 14 years later?  He admits the program failed, but wishes we'd all "get over it" and "move on") The internet is full of postings that either distort the facts about a specific treatment facility or make allegations that are 100% fabricated.  (Patients have gotten there records from PV, and the abuse is documented by the staff and clinicians.  Is Bob calling the treatment team liars?) Some have even posted entries on blog sites posing as staff of treatment facilities and saying outrageous things. All of this saddens me deeply, because it will once again prevent some families from getting the help for their adolescents that is needed. Making that decision is already one of the toughest experiences of a parent’s life, and these distortions only make that decision tougher.

For those parents facing such decisions at this time, I encourage you to dig a little deeper in your research to ensure that you have the facts straight. If you are considering Peninsula Village, I suggest that you know as much about us as possible.  (But don't go to any of those vulgar sites for "survivors") Below are a few tips I offer:



    * Visit us early in your search. Stay as long as you like. Ask as many tough questions as you like. Talk to as many people as you like.


    * Ask us about our excellent treatment outcomes.  (Ask about the database and who was chosen to participate in the "outcome questionnaire")


    * Ask us about mental health treatment in general, our philosophies in specific, and what we believe are the most critical determinants of success.


    * Go to our web site and listen to the testimonials of real former patients and their families. Ask us to overnight mail you a DVD of those testimonials if you are unable to access the web. (Why not ask some of the parents and patients who had "unsuccessful treatment experiences" for testimonials?  To get a full view)


    * Attend one of our parent support groups in Knoxville, Atlanta or Raleigh. Phone in to the Raleigh group if you live too far away to travel to one of these locations.


    * Ask us to put you in touch with one of our former parents who has offered to have such conversations because they know the difference Peninsula Village made for their child and they are distraught that this movement may prevent some families from getting the help that their child needs.  (Yeah...how distraught?  Like the woman who sneered at Act.da?  These former parents wouldn't be of much use now that PV is undergoing a change in treatment policy, or at least trying to change their well-deserved reputation for being a violent, drug soaked and abusive failure of an RTC.  Old programees can't vouch for the new and unstable PV )



I will close by offering myself or any other Peninsula Village staff member to you. You may e-mail, call, or visit us in person to discuss our 22-year history of helping to restore families and mend young lives. We do not claim to be a perfect organization because such an organization does not exist anywhere in any field. But we do proudly deliver excellent mental health treatment. We are in a continual process of examining our practices and seeking to become even better. We take very seriously the trust that parents place in us relative to the well being of their most precious resources.