I am actually suprised to hear these stories about these Brown Schools programs. I was a resident at a Brown Schools RTC program in San Antonio (Laurel Ridge Treatment Center) and it was a pretty good place. Maybe thats because it wasnt affiliated with CEDU, I dont know.
I had been kicked out of Island View after 5 months there, Feb - June, and was sent to Laurel Ridge immediatly. I tried to manipulate, bull shit, fight and argue my way out of doing anything but their staff was great and didnt let me get away with anything. I had an amazing therapist that got me interested in things that I wouldnt have given a damn about in the past, and got me on the right track to a better life. I went in there an angry, depressed, mean, self abusive 17 yr old and came out a happy, caring 18 yr old.
I was not brainwashed nor was I abused, either physically or emotionally. I was restrained twice while I was there, both times it was necessary, as all less restrictive means of intervention had been exhausted and I was most certainly posing a danger, once to myself and once to staff.
Now, 5 years later I find myself working at a former Brown Schools RTC in Austin, working with kids that were just like I had been. I am also training director for the crisis intervention program. Soon I will be graduating from nursing school and will probably keep working there as an RN.
So... While I am sure that people have their negative experiences, there must be some positives out there. Admittedly I have no experience with CEDU, as a resident or as an employee.
Please dont take this as me discounting your experiences. I briefly worked at a Brown schools RTC that was abusive, and did my best to stop it. So I know that it happens. I guess I got lucky.
Anyone else out there who went to a Brown Schools RTC, email me at
duxburyboi@gmail.comThanks
Andrew
