Colorado Kidz Ark licenses suspended pending investigation

[Inculcated]

2 Logan County Residential Child Care Centers Shut Down
Kidz Ark Licenses Suspended In State, County Criminal Investigation
ABC7 News Colorado Written by Wayne Harrison, Web Editor POSTED: 3:16 pm MDT July 15, 2011

STERLING, Colo. -- State operating licenses for two Logan County residential child care centers for children had their licenses suspended Friday.

The Kidz Ark centers house a total 62 children, according to Liz McDonough, with the Colorado Department of Human Services.

By Friday afternoon, all but six of the children had been put in alternative care facilities. State Human Services staff will stay until the remaining children are removed.

A criminal investigation has also been launched into the facilities outside Sterling and at New Raymer, according to McDonough. She would not say what type of criminal investigation had been launched or what prompted the investigation but did say the Logan County sheriff is conducting the probe.

The New Raymer facilities is a ranch for boys, according to the Kidz Ark website.
The Kidz Ark Centers also had licenses for day treatment, McDonough said. The centers were notified Thursday that their licenses were going to be suspended.

"They cannot undertake any activity that a child care license is required," McDonough said.
A series of issues over the last year led to Friday's suspension, according to McDonough.
A hearing will be scheduled in the coming months, after Logan County Human Services and Sheriff's Department investigations are completed.

The Kidz Ark website describes the company as a therapeutic residential child care facility, specializing in the treatment of troubled children. Children being treated range in age from 10 to 18, according to the Kidz Ark website.
"We have specific qualifications and experiences which enable us to meet the needs of severely damaged children, including children with developmental disabilities," the website states. "The majority of all our kids have been violently abused or grossly neglected."

[Inculcated]

Kidz Ark residential facility licenses pulled
By Sara Waite Journal-Advocate managing editor Posted: 07/15/2011 06:30:53 PM MDT
Children being relocated to other sites

STERLING -- The Colorado Department of Human Services has issued a summary suspension of the licenses for the Kidz Ark facilities in Sterling and New Raymer. The facilities are owned by Jay and Linda Littlefield.

The children who lived at the therapeutic residential childcare facility are being relocated. According to CDHS spokeswoman Liz McDonough, the children came from counties all over Colorado, and the county offices are responsible for finding alternate placements for the children. She said that as of Friday afternoon, only six children remained at the facility. CDHS staff are on site and will remain there until the last child is removed from Kidz Ark. Families of the children are being contacted to let them know about the moves, and those with questions can talk to their case worker, McDonough said.

McDonough said the licenses were suspended because the department believes the facility poses a "substantial danger" to public health and welfare, and has committed willful violation of licensing requirements.
"This is not an action that we undertake lightly," she said. She noted that while the move is disruptive to the residents, "our first priority is to ensure the kids are safe."

She noted that both the Logan County Human Services office and the Logan County Sheriff`s Office are investigating. Social Services Director Fred Crawford said he could not comment on the situation. No one from the LCSO could be reached for comment.
McDonough said that allegations include abuse and neglect, as well as improper training and failure to report abuse. She said the facility has also provided false information to CDHS.

The order required licenses for both facilities to be surrendered. The Littlefields are banned from undertaking any activity which requires a childcare license, McDonough said. After the county investigations are complete, a licensing hearing will be held to determine whether they can get their license back.

After press time, Linda Littlefield responded to the Journal-Advocate's request for comment. She said they plan to contest the suspension of their license. "We do not believe the state has sufficient grounds to suspend the license," she said, adding that they had not had time to review or respond to the complaint.
According to the Kidz Ark website, the facility serves 60 residents and day treatment clients, ages 10 to 18, on a daily basis. Many of the clients are developmentally or emotionally delayed, and the majority have been violently abused or grossly neglected, the website reads.
"Providing hospitality, healing, heart and hope" is listed as the facility`s mission. "With a philosophy of 'unconditional love + accountability,` Kidz Ark believes in the rights and dignity of individuals and families and the sanctity of all human life," states the online description. It also says Kidz Ark follows CARF (The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission) standards.

Both Articles (above) also cited and linked by Rally on ReformTalk.blogspot.com

Also by Sara Waite: Kidz Ark owner plans to fight license suspension Sheriff`s Office: Investigation should be complete soon