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Topics - Deborah

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16
Open Free for All / Rules for a Safe Halloween
« on: October 29, 2007, 11:10:23 PM »
Subject: Rules For A Safe Halloween

1. When it appears that you have killed the monster, NEVER check to see if it's really dead.

2. Never read a book of demon-summoning aloud, even as a joke.

3. Do not search the basement, especially if the power has gone out.

4. If your children speak to you in Latin or any other language which they should not know, shoot them immediately. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. However, it will take several rounds to kill them, so be prepared. This also applies to kids that speak with somebody else's voice.

5. When you have the benefit of numbers, NEVER pair off and go it alone.

6. As a general rule, don't solve any puzzles that open portals to Hell.

7. Never stand in, on or above a grave, tomb or crypt. This would apply to any other house of the dead as well.

8. If you're searching for something which just caused a loud noise and find out that it's just the cat, GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE!

9. If appliances start operating by themselves, do not check for short circuits...just get out.

10. Do not take ANYTHING from the dead.

11. If you find a town which looks deserted, there's probably a good
reason for it. DO NOT stop and look around.

12. Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're sure you know what you're doing.

13. If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall down at least twice. Also note that, despite the fact that you are running and the monster is merely shambling along, it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.

14. If your companions suddenly begin to exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes, increasing hairiness, and so on, kill them immediately.

15. Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are
listed here: Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, the Bermuda Triangle
Or any small town in Maine.

16. If your car runs out of gas at night on a lonely road, do not go to the nearby deserted looking house to phone for help. If you think that it is strange because you thought you had half a tank, just go ahead and shoot yourself. You're going to die anyway, and most likely be eaten.

17. If you find that your house is built upon a cemetery, now is the time to move in with the in-laws. This applies to houses that had previous inhabitants who went mad or died in some horrible fashion, or had inhabitants who performed satanic practices in your house.

18. If you wonder upon a strange alien-looking pod that is beginning to open, DO NOT stick around to see what it is going to do.

19. Do not look in a mirror and chant mystical names or phrases.

20. If you are in a confrontation with the undead and manage to cut off a head, arm or leg, you will now have to battle the severed appendage as well.

21. In the event that you have to face one of Satan's minions, don't use Holy Water or a crucifix as a weapon because it only angers them.

22. Don't use garlic as a vampire repellant. This is an old wives tale, and if you were to ask your garden variety vampire they would most likely tell you that the garlic actually improves the flavor and the strong odor makes the victim easier to find.

17
The Troubled Teen Industry / Children's Rights in Texas Programs
« on: October 29, 2007, 12:35:05 PM »
748.1101(b)(1)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to appropriate care treatment in the least restrictive setting available that meets the child's needs
748.1101(b)(10)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to have training in personal care, hygiene, and grooming
748.1101(b)(11)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to reasonable opportunities to participate in community functions
748.1101(b)(12)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to have adequate personal clothing, suitable to his age and size and comparable with peers
748.1101(b)(13)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to have personal possessions at his home and to acquire additional possessions within limits
748.1101(b)(14)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to be provided with adequate protective clothing against natural elements
748.1101(b)(15)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to maintain regular contact with his family unless not in the child's best interest
[Who determines this? Program? Parent? Court?]
748.1101(b)(16)  Children's rights-Adhere to child's right to send and receive uncensored mail, have telephone conversations, visitors and keep a personal journal
748.1101(b)(17)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to hire independent mental health professionals, medical professionals, and attorneys at his expense
748.1101(b)(18)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to be compensated for any work done for the agency or home as part of the child's service plan
748.1101(b)(19)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to have personal earnings, allowances, possessions, and gifts as his personal property
748.1101(b)(2)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from discrimination on basis of gender race religion national origin, sexual orientation
748.1101(b)(20)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to be able to communicate in a language or any other means that is understandable to the child
748.1101(b)(21)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to confidential care and treatment
748.1101(b)(22)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to have to consent in writing before permitting any publicity or fund raising activity for the agency;
748.1101(b)(23)  Children's rights-Adhere to child's right to not be required to make public statements acknowledging his gratitude to operation
748.1101(b)(24)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to not receive unnecessary or excessive medication
748.1101(b)(25)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to have a comprehensive service plan that addresses the child's needs
748.1101(b)(26)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to participate in the development and review of his service plan within the limits
748.1101(b)(27)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to receive emotional, mental health, or chemical dependency treatment separately from adults
748.1101(b)(28)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to receive appropriate treatment for physical problems that affect his treatment or safety
748.1101(b)(29)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to report abuse, neglect, exploitation, or violation of personal rights without fear of punishment
748.1101(b)(3)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to have his physical, emotional, developmental, educational, social and religious needs met
748.1101(b)(4)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation as defined in Texas Family Code 261.401
748.1101(b)(5)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from any harsh, cruel, unusual, unnecessary, demeaning, or humiliating punishment
748.1101(b)(5)(A)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from being shaken
748.1101(b)(5)(B)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from being subjected to corporal punishment
748.1101(b)(5)(C)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from being threatened with corporal punishment
748.1101(b)(5)(D)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from any unproductive work that serves no purpose except to demean the child
748.1101(b)(5)(E)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from being denied food, sleep, toileting facilities, mail, or family visits as punishment
748.1101(b)(5)(F)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from being subjected to remarks that belittle or ridicule the child or the child's family
748.1101(b)(5)(G)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free from being threatened with the loss of placement or shelter as punishment
748.1101(b)(6)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to discipline that is appropriate to the child's age and developmental level;
748.1101(b)(7)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to have restrictions or disciplinary consequences explained to him when the measures are imposed
748.1101(b)(8)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to have a humane environment, including any treatment environment, which provides protection from harm
748.1101(b)(9)  Children's rights-Adhere to the child's right to receive educational services appropriate to the child's age and developmental level
Informing Child of Rights
748.1103(a)  Informing child of rights-Review the child's rights with the child and a child's parent within 7 days after a child is admitted
748.1103(b)(1)  Informing child of rights-Child rights must be written in simple, non-technical terms
748.1103(b)(2)  Informing child of rights-Child rights must be written in English, if he does not understand English it must be written in his primary language
748.1103(c)  Informing child of rights-If the person has a visual or auditory impairment, you must explain the child's rights in a manner that is understandable
748.1103(d)  Informing child of rights-Person being informed must sign statement indicating read and understands the rights-signed copy filed in child's record

Personal Care
748.1105(1)  Personal Care-Reasonable opportunities to select his clothing as outlined in the operation's policies
748.1105(2)  Personal Care-Appropriate equipment and supplies for personal care, hygiene, and grooming

Parental Contact
748.1107(a)  Child Rights parent contact-Allow contact between a child and his parent whose parental rights have not been terminated
748.1107(a)(1)  Child Rights parent contact-Allow contact between a child and his parent according to your policies
[And what if that conflicts with the aforementioned rule?]
748.1107(a)(2)  Child Rights parent contact-Allow contact between a child and his parent according to the provisions of a court order or any visitation agreement
748.1107(b)(1)  Child Rights parent contact-Document in the child's record any plans for contact between the child and a parent
748.1107(b)(2)  Child Rights parent contact-Document in the child's record any decision to limit contact with a parent
748.1107(c)  removed
748.1107(c)(1)  Child Rights parent contact-Before restricting contacts/ communication between child & parent, operation must explain reasons to child & parents
748.1107(c)(2)  Child Rights parent contact-Before restricting contacts/ communication between child and parent, operation must document reasons in child's record
748.1107(d)  Child Rights parent contact-Restrictions that continue more than 30 days must be re-evaluated monthly by PLSP
748.1107(d)(1)  Child Rights parent contact-PLSP must explain reasons for continued restrictions for more than 30 days to child and parents
748.1107(d)(2)  Child Rights parent contact-PLSP must document in child's record reasons for restrictions that last more than 30 days
748.1107(e)  Child Rights parent contact-Discuss practical reasons for limiting communication or visits w/ parent with child and parent-document in the record

Sibling Contact
748.1109(a)  Child Rights sibling contact-Provide child reasonable opportunity for sibling visits and contacts in an effort to preserve sibling relationships
748.1109(b)  Child Rights sibling contact-Address plans for sibling visits and contacts in the child's record
748.1109(c)  Child Rights sibling contact-Document justification for restricting sibling contact-re-document every 90 days for restriction more than 90 days
748.1109(d)  Child Rights sibling contact-Make provisions for sibling contact through letters, telephone calls, or some other mean, If barriers to visits exist

Phone Calls and Mail
748.1111(a)(1)  Child Rights contact others-Service planning team, treatment director, PLSP, or parents must approve opening or reading child's incoming /outgoing mail
748.1111(a)(2)  Child Rights contact others-Service planning team, treatment director, PLSP, or parents must approve listening to or screening child's phone calls
748.1111(b)(1)  Child Rights contact others-Document in the child's record any reason for restricting the child's mail or telephone calls
748.1111(b)(2)  Child Rights contact others-Document in the child's record a listing of the mail or telephone calls that are restricted
748.1111(c)  Child Rights contact others-Inform the child and parent about restrictions placed on the child
748.1111(d)  Child Rights contact others-Restrictions that last more than 30 days are re-evaluated monthly by PLSP
748.1111(d)(1)  Child Rights contact others-PLSP must explain the reasons for restrictions that last more than 30 days to the child
748.1111(d)(2)  Child Rights contact others-PLSP must document in child's record reasons for restriction that lasts

Searches
748.1113(a)  Child Rights searches-Child's possessions free of unreasonable searches and unreasonable removal of personal items
748.1113(b)  Child Rights searches-Search a child, his possessions, or his room only when reasonable suspicion exists
748.1113(b)(1)  Child Rights searches-Search a child/possessions only when reasonable suspicion of the presence of a prohibited or endangering item exists
748.1113(b)(2)  Child Rights searches-Search a child/possessions only when reasonable suspicion that the child made suicidal threats to hurt himself or others exists
748.1113(b)(3)  Child Rights searches-Search a child/possessions only when reasonable suspicion that the child or children was involved in theft exists
748.1113(c)  Child Rights searches-Searches involving removal of clothing, other than certain outer clothing, are only conducted by caregiver of same gender
748.1113(d)  Child Rights Searches-Second caregiver must witness a search that involves the removal of clothing
748.1113(e)  Child Rights searches-Caregiver ensures other children do not witness a search that involves the removal of clothing, other than outer clothing
748.1115  Child Rights searches-With the exception of a child's mouth, a caregiver may not conduct a body cavity search of a child in care
748.1117  Documentation of searches-Caregiver documents searches in the child's record if they result in the removal of personal items or clothing
748.1117(1)  The search date; Documentation of searches-Document the search date in the child's record if it results in the removal of personal items or clothing
748.1117(2)  Documentation of searches-Document the name of the child in the child's record if it results in the removal of personal items or clothing
748.1117(3)  Documentation of searches-Document the reason for the search in the child's record if it results in the removal of personal items or clothing
748.1117(4)  Documentation of searches-Document a description of what was searched in the child's record if it results in the removal of personal items or clothing
748.1117(5)  Documentation of searches-Document the articles of clothing removed in the child's record if it results in the removal of personal items or clothing
748.1117(6)  Documentation of searches-Document name of person conducting search in the child's record if it results in the removal of personal items or clothing
748.1117(7)  Documentation of searches-Document name of witness, if applicable in the child's record if it results in the removal of personal items or clothing;
748.1117(8)  Documentation of searches-Document the results of the search in the child's record if it results in the removal of personal items or clothing
748.1117(9)  Documentation of searches-Document resolution of issue with children involved, in the record if results in the removal of personal items or clothing

Prohibited Techniques
748.1119(1)  Children's Rights prohibited techniques-Prohibited from using chemical restraints, mechanical restraints, and seclusion on a child
748.1119(2)  Children's Rights prohibited techniques-Prohibited from using aversive conditioning, including any technique likely to cause a child physical pain
748.1119(3)  Children's Rights prohibited techniques-Prohibited from using pressure points on a child
748.1119(4)  Children's Rights prohibited techniques-Prohibited from using rebirthing therapy on a child
748.1119(5)  Children's Rights prohibited techniques-Prohibited from using hug and/or holding therapy on a child


Lone Star Expeditions was inspected in Oct 07 and had no violations of Children's Rights listed.
How does the state insure that the program in in compliance?
Do they glance through files?
Interview kids?

18
Thayer Learning Center / Texas Youth Escapes From Thayer
« on: October 28, 2007, 03:10:59 AM »
Youth escapes Thayer custody
By D'Anna Balliett
Citizen Observer
October 11, 2007
Photo by D'Anna Balliett

A Thayer Learning Center student escaped custody during a medical visit to a local doctor's office on Thursday.  

Last week Cameron police were called out in response to a Thayer Learning Center youth who had escaped custody during a medical visit at a local doctor's office.

The police were prepared to search for the youth but called off their efforts after determining that the youth was accepted into the center on a voluntary basis and was 17 years of age making him a legal adult in the state of Missouri.

The youth was originally from Texas. After fleeing custody of the Thayer representative escorting him to the medical appointment in Cameron, his parents were notified and filed a missing persons report.

The Thayer Learning Center located in Kidder, Mo. markets itself as a military based Christian boarding school and targets children ages 13 to 17 and is owned and run by husband and wife, John and Willa Bundy.

However, reports of questionable conduct, including documented stories of abuse by former students and employees, controversial practices in addition to an alleged lack of licensing have been associated with the center.

In 2004, several parents pulled their students from the boot camp and boarding school after a student died a week after enrolling. The parents of Roberto Reyes, who was 15 at the time of his death, sued the center in a wrongful death lawsuit.

According to reports, a Missouri child fatality review panel, made up of state and county officials, reviewed the circumstances of Reyes' death and in December of 2004 concluded that, "earlier medical treatment at the Thayer Learning Center may have prevented this fatality."

And, symptoms of Reyes' failing health "would have been present for a significant period of time prior to his death," according to the lawsuit.

In March 2006, the case was settled out of court when Thayer agreed to pay just over $1 million in damages

19
It's been a while since I dealt with the public school system. My question-Why is the public school system dispensing Fluoride tablets?? To ensure there are an adequate number of patients to keep the cancer industry profitable into the future?

http://www.wtvh.com/news/local/10807071.html
Parents are still outraged that a school nurse gave a DeRuyter kindergarten class Ritalin pills instead of fluoride tablets. A week after the mix up, parents say the Board of Education should do more to keep their kids safe.
[How about the parents refuse to allow the school to dispense anything to their child.]
Several parents who have children in the kindergarten class who took the Ritalin pills came to the Board of Education meeting. The kids spit the medicine into the garbage and things could have been a lot worse, but parents say on principle alone, the nurse needs to be disciplined. "I'm still not going to send him back to school, not until I can see a lot of different changes," says Michael Race, who has kept his son home since last week. "They can say they did this, that and the other, but I don't think it's adequate."
The mistake happened when the nurse transfered the fluoride tablets from their original container into a standard prescription bottle.
For now, administrators stopped the hand out of fluoride tablets to students while they work on changing policies. New rules for dispensing medicine will include reading a label three times and meds will only be given out in the nurse's office by the nurse. "Unfortunately this was a serious mistake," says DeRuyter Superintendent Bruce Sharpe. "We are in the process of investigating it. The state dept of education is investigating it. So we're waiting for their response. Once we complete all of that, we'll be deciding what appropriate action should be taken." The nurse is being closely monitored now. The Board of Ed says she has a yearly review like all employees and problems have never happened before but parents say that doesn't count for much. "Suspend her, I don't care. Until you're done with the investigation," says Amy Randall, who has a five year old daughter. "You're taking care of other children and you don't know how many other mistakes she can make." There will be a special meeting for kindergarten parents Tuesday, October 30th, at 7pm at the school.

20
The Troubled Teen Industry / Woodbury Attacks Miller's "Drama"
« on: October 24, 2007, 08:50:51 AM »
Posted: Oct 23, 2007  12:21  
CONGRESSMAN MILLER'S DRAMA
by: Lon Woodbury

Congressman Miller treated us to a legislative drama on October 10, 2007. Make no mistake about it; his hearings were a first class, top quality, orchestrated high drama that was executed perfectly. All parties played their parts as he intended, making the emotional impact compelling enough to brush aside logic, reason, rationality, fairness and inconsistent facts. This is not intended to belittle the tragedy of the three parents who testified; those are real tragedies and all facts regarding those specific circumstances should be fully exposed. This is just to point out that their specific stories were useful to Congressman Miller's ambitions.

For an overview of the status of American youth, it is obvious many American teens are in trouble. The increasing incidents of attempted suicides, addictions, drug overdoses and poor preparation for adulthood, although still only a minority, are appalling. In response, vast resources are being put into residential attempts to help these teens, with mixed results and some tragedies, which I try to document in the Breaking News section of my website www.strugglingteens.com/news/news.html. I have talked with hundreds of therapists, attorneys, judges and parents who, for their children, are fleeing the all too frequent inhumane treatment found in public run and public-private residential facilities under the juvenile justice system, and state mental health residential facilities (For the most appalling example go to www.strugglingteens.com/news/florida_bo ... index.html, a public boot camp facility with both federal and state money, regulation and oversight, which was not seriously talked about in the Congressman Miller Hearings). The parents and professionals I have talked with often seem like refugees from public programs, people who are looking for quality private facilities and want to avoid the poor quality private programs. Any professional and experienced Educational Consultant will know about the poor programs, can steer the parent toward the ones with good reputations for effective and safe work and would love to see the poor private programs shut down.

Miller Calls for Federal Investigation of Boot Camp Death
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/200 ... n-cal.html

With this national concern and activity as a backdrop, have you ever wondered why some legislation becomes law while other legislation languishes? Ignore your old high school civics lessons; they don't have much to do with it. In reality, the process most often used has been fine tuned over the decades, which consists of a few simple steps. When carried out successfully, not only does the legislation become law but the author of the legislation becomes famous. Bridges, schools and buildings are often subsequently named after him or her, and he/she is praised as a distinguished leader, all because he/she managed to get landmark legislation passed. The basis of all this opportunity for congressional fame and fortune is that we the voters want a problem fixed. That's what we elect him/her to do. Congressman Miller was obviously following these basic steps in his bid for Congressional fame by starting a process to solve a carefully crafted definition of a problem.

THE CONGRESSIONAL STEPS TO FAME AND FORTUNE

Step One:
Find a problem to fix! Find some tragedy, unjustness, abuse or similar thing that the average person would say, "That's not right!" This isn't hard. In an imperfect world where accidents and unforeseen events are around every corner, in a diverse country of a third of a billion people and having the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, opportunities are all around you.

Step Two:
Find a constituency. In this vast country, everybody is upset about something, and some of them can be enlisted in the good fight to conquer some perceived ill of the world through your legislation. Work with them and convince them you are on their side. If you are clever, you can even convince bitter enemies to join with each other to support you in solving this overriding concern you are refining.

Step Three:
Define/ Identify: Define the issue and identify a culprit (target of the planned legislation). Don't let conflicting facts confuse the issue. Your definition should be clear and simple, suitable for a sound bite on the news. If simple enough to fit on a bumper sticker, that is even better. The chosen culprit must be vulnerable to being painted very darkly (facts and fairness have little to do with it, popular emotional perspectives are key - demonization is all-too-frequently the politics of choice in current American politics). Blur boundaries so that entirely different and competing approaches and philosophies that work with what is perceived as the same population can be lumped together. This gives you additional sources of ammunition and the tragedies of the non-targeted group can be used to confront the targeted group. That will put the defenders of the targeted group off balance. This also makes more effective the use of "Have you stopped beating your wife?" type questions, which are impossible to answer in the short sound bites favored by the media. So long as you can continue to define the issue and prevent defenders from establishing their definition, you will maintain the initiative.

Step Four:
Reassure: In preparing for the initial hearings, reassure the defenders of the targeted group [NATSAP?] that you want to be fair. Reassure them that they will have a chance to present their case, and that you just want to get to the bottom of these problems. Reassure them you want to work with them to eliminate the abuses they and all responsible people want to prevent. Be sure you keep your targeted group's focus narrow enough that associated groups working with the same or similar population feel unthreatened and so avoid defending the targeted group.

They had their 5 minutes like everyone else. NATSAP presented a pathetic testimony. Can that be blamed on Miller?

Step Five:
Alert the Media: Let the media know that there will be enough sensationalism and drama to satisfy them for days. Since the media nowadays is more inclined to parrot official offerings than to dig behind the story, especially of sensational drama, they will be there in full force. At this point all will be in readiness for the first preliminary public hearings.

Step Six:
Public Hearings: These hearings are ostensibly a preliminary report on research to determine if the problem is serious enough to warrant further research, future hearings and possible legislation. In actuality, this is drama, and you will know exactly what will be presented, the appearance and impact it will have, and already have in mind follow-up actions to further the cause and produce more headlines.

Further action is warranted. They aren't there to hear a few anecdotal success stories. Do a few "successes" outweigh the abuses/ neglect/ deaths/ unproven methods inherent to the industry?

Selection of the testimony to be given is vital. This stage is purely emotion driven. Logic, reason or rationality has little or nothing to do with it. The deeper and more sensational the tragedy, the more effective and useful it is and the more impact on the public, resulting in expanding your constituency and chances of passing legislation. The most powerful image is of a parent grieving their lost child. Nothing he or she says can be challenged. Better yet is when some of the testimony also is directed against a program respected by the defenders, undermining the defender's sincerity and credibility.

Hmm... would you secretly like to "challenge" the three parents? Hey, CFW has been a member of NATSAP since the beginning. Does NATSAP advise parents that there have been three deaths at CFW? The hit on CFW was hard, as it deserved to be.

Ambush is the term for the most effective approach. In the House, the minority party is usually kept out of the loop so they can be caught off guard and be unable to challenge the tone of the hearings. It is hoped the defenders of the targeted group will also be caught off guard and will appear to be confused, defensive and ineffective.

Step Seven:
Follow-up: Acting like this is the first time you have heard these outrages, you can use the tragedies presented as a foundation in expressing righteous indignation and call for further research to get to the bottom of the cause of these tragedies, push any action that might currently be within the power of the federal government and work to expand your constituency among people who are outraged by the emotion-driven revelations they have just heard.

Stay tuned as Congressman Miller's drama unfolds. Since there is never a second chance to make a good first impression, the tone of the just completed hearings will strongly influence subsequent happenings. Will there be more focus on public program tragedies in the next round? Will definitions become more accurate? Will representatives of private programs be given a full and adequate chance to present their case? Will satisfied parents or alumni be called on to give balance for accuracy? Don't count on it.

The irony is few make the connection that in the October 10th hearings, they have just watched a polished politician in action providing a carefully orchestrated drama--a drama in this case that is intended to bring wholly private programs under the federal government influence just as juvenile justice and state mental health facilities already are. The possibility exists that this Federal legislation, if passed, would very well force private programs to start looking and acting more like their public counterparts. If this happens, parents will be the losers (and by extension their children) in having fewer choices, all in the name of protecting "the children."
~~~


*150+ deaths in children's residential and outdoor programs
*Untold accidents, injuries, assaults
*Previous reports by OIG and Inspector General regarding the lack of regulation and efficacy of residential programs
*20+ years of following/investigating the industry

and Lon labels Miller's effort "Drama"

People need to view the hearing and judge for themselves.
http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/fc101007.shtml

Here's some Drama
http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.ph ... 464#289464

21
The Troubled Teen Industry / Denise Woodbury Weighs in on Pinto Study
« on: October 22, 2007, 01:14:13 PM »
A-START SURVEY
By: Denise Woodbury, JD

As a parent of a graduate of both a short term wilderness program and a long term therapeutic boarding school, I filled out the on-line questionnaire.

I also studied the structure of the survey as a lawyer first admitted to the Bar 27 years ago, in which I have worked with issues involving juvenile crime and negative behaviors, interstate compact and child abuse, and over 15 years as a prosecuting attorney where I also represented the state’s Department of Health and Welfare on child protection and mental health issues. I have been court appointed on numerous occasions as a guardian ad litem for youth.

In my opinion, this survey would fall into what is recognized in law as “junk scienceâ€

22
The Troubled Teen Industry / Aspen Troll Ranks on Maia
« on: October 18, 2007, 03:58:37 PM »
Aspen troll posts negative review of "Help At Any Cost"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-rev ... centReview

Critique of Maia's book
A Heartfelt Plea Indeed, But Extremely One-Sided, February 3, 2007

I would have given 2 1/2 stars if possible, in acknowledgment of the thorough research as well as the sensationalistic style Ms. Szalavitz employs in her book. I just read an excerpt from Help At Any Cost in the January 2007 edition of The Sun magazine, which clued me in to this book. While I do admit I have not read Help At Any Cost cover-to-cover just yet, I have read enough of the beginning and thoroughly read other sections to be aware of Ms. Szalavitz's well-intentioned yet shoddily presented journalism in her "expose" of the teen help industry. I am also well acquainted with the industry on a personal level, which led to my eyebrows being raised in disbelief at Ms. Szalavitz's assertions, which are broadly painted indeed, as one other reviewer termed it. Ms. Szalavitz appears to be a competent writer. She is clearly also a biased journalist who displays selective information to drive home her point, which is not at all the hallmark of a good reporter.

I have worked with "troubled," "at-risk" teens since 1999, at three programs:
Aspen Ranch (a residential treatment center in Utah),
Aspen Achievement Academy (a wilderness therapy program in Utah), and
Open Sky Wilderness Therapy (Utah).
(Note: I put the terms "troubled" and "at-risk" in quotes because they are such catch-all phrases that tend to bring up intimidating images in people's minds. I prefer to say just teenagers who need guidance in this crazy world, although sometimes that definition needs qualification for those who do not have knowledge of the industry.)

I can assert without a doubt that no child has ever died, been starved, beaten, mistreated, etc., at either the Academy or Open Sky. Are these programs easy or cushy? Not particularly. Do they compassionately challenge students to grow, learn, discover their own limitations and push past them if they wish? Yes. Do they operate with love and logic (a copyrighted term), with the notion of success, support, love, encouragement, open communication? Yes. Are they regulated? YES!!!!! To the most minute details! I should know that for a fact; I am currently working on licensure in Colorado for one of these programs, and the state regulations are extremely rigorous and regularly updated in their efforts to protect children from the horrors that happened to some, such as Aaron Bacon. And, above and beyond such regulations (which also exist in Utah, I might add), the people I have worked with in this industry over the last 7+ years are loving, compassionate, highly-trained professionals, from the office staff to the field instructors to the therapists and everyone else.

There are regulating organizations within or oversighting the industry that have high standards for teen therapy programs. These organizations include National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps (NATWC), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and Council on Accreditation (COA), among others.

Hey troll, of the three programs you worked for, AAA is the only the one that has JCAHO accreditation. The other two have no accreditation. Did Open Sky get caught operating in Co with a Utah license? http://www.natsap.org/program_details.asp?id=209

These organizations condone neither brutality nor lack of training. (And if you are a parent, student, or prospective staff member looking at a program that is not positively associated in some way with one of these regulating organizations, I suggest you take a closer look and do your research as thoroughly as possible.)

Parent considering a program should do their own research. Google the program name. And, watch the GAO hearing.
http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/fc101007.shtml

Part of a 2005 letter from NATSAP to Shay Bilchik, President and CEO, Child Welfare League of America, read: "The majority of the programs that serve young people are regulated and overseen by a licensing or accrediting agency, and all one hundred and fifty programs that are members of NATSAP ascribe to codes of ethics and practice standards that place the utmost importance on quality treatment and child welfare."

NATSAP does not accredit or certify programs, does not inspect or sanction programs. It is an organization of, by, for program owners.

My main point is that there are plenty of programs out there that are doing a great, highly-regulated, loving job with teenagers in need of help. I know, because I've worked for some. Ms. Szalavitz went into old, albeit tragic (and industry-changing) news and dragged it out into the light again as if it were all-pervasive. The unbelievably horrific deaths of some teens and the egregious treatment of others absolutely were terrible incidents that should not be forgotten. (And they haven't been, as the current scrupulous industry standards prove.) However, the enormous strides taken by this industry since then should also not be overlooked in favor of more shocking news.

The "enourmous strides taken by this industry since then"... you mean

since 28 June when Brendan Blum died at Youth Care or
May when Caleb Jensen died at AYA or
April when an Unidentified teen died at AAA or
Jan when Darrell Hammond died at Provo Canyon or
since Rocci Magliozzi died at SUWS
Lenny Ortega died at Star Ranch
Angellika Arndt was killed for gargling her milk  
Giavinni Alteriz and James White died at Summit Quest  
or since Mikie Garcia died at Star Ranch
Matthew Meyer died at Lone Star Expeditions
Karlye Newman died at Spring Creek Lodge
Roberto Reyes died at Thayer Learning Center
or an Unidentified teen died at Island View Academy
or since Danita Ritchie died at Three Springs or
Erica Harvey, Unidentified teen, and Corey Baines died at the "cream of the crop" wilderness program, Catherine Freer  
or since Chase Moody died at On Track Wilderness
or Ian August died at Skyline Journey
or Katherine Lank died at Red Rock Ranch
[and the list goes on.... sorry about those I left out]

Hey troll, here's a question for you.... Should any form of 'therapy' subject kids to the potential of serious injury or death?


Are there poorly-run programs out there? To be sure. Are there poorly-trained staff out there? Yes. Are there individuals as well as corporations out there that see only walking dollar signs rather than human beings in desperate need of help? Definitely. Don't get me wrong; I do recognize that there are problems out there still, and it seems inevitable that more bad news will arise on occasion, which is tragic. There are watchdog groups, which is a good thing. But to paint the entire industry--every single program and person in it--with the broad brush strokes of being evil, unregulated, and uncaring is unprofessional, poorly-researched, and simply doing a disservice to the hundreds of existing programs and people who truly care, truly want to help, and truly do a good job. Ms. Szalavitz should be ashamed of herself for her very one-sided, unsupported thesis.

Ms. Szalavitz saw a story she decided to take to the public, which was commendable. Yet her method of delivery negates (indeed, does not even acknowledge) the excellent work being done by thousands of helping professionals, including myself. I invite Ms. Szalavitz to pursue her research more thoroughly next time, look for the good alongside the bad, and then present both sides (as well as all the shades of gray in-between) in a fair, impartial manner. That is, after all, what exceptional journalism is all about.
~~~

23
The Troubled Teen Industry / How'd You Score That Gig?
« on: October 17, 2007, 11:16:59 AM »
Sept 2007
Dream Job Series: Karyn, Outdoor Adventure Guide

Thirty-two year-old Karyn has the job she’s always wanted.  She’s a Mentor Field Instructor for Second Nature, a sophisticated wilderness therapy treatment program for teens.  At Second Nature, Karyn and her colleagues provide insight, direction and hope to troubled teens and their families. I had a chance to speak with Karyn during the process of writing How’d You Score THAT Gig? and here are some of the highlights from her interview:

Alex:  Describe some of the day-to-day activities of your job.

Karyn:   I work an 8 day on (24 hours/day), 6 day off schedule with a group of other instructors (usually 3 or 4 total) with a group of approximately 8-12 teenagers. We live in the woods and backpack 3 or 4 days a week. The wilderness is used as a therapeutic intervention for our students who are usually facing some sort of challenge in their lives. We sleep under tarps, hike frequently, hold therapeutic groups, and work one on one with the students.

Alex:  How do you feel about your job and why?  

Karyn:  I love my job as it gives me a chance to work with kids at a point when they are struggling with their identities and security. It also means I get paid to be out in the woods! Sometimes I get stressed out when we have lots of students or my staff is demanding, but I cannot imagine a job I would rather have.

Alex:  How did you get your first paying job in this field?  Did you do anything out of the ordinary to break in?  

Karyn:  My first job in the outdoors was when I was 16 and worked for a Boy Scout camp. My first job as a wilderness therapy instructor was with this company. I started three years ago and worked my way up the levels of the company.

Alex: What in your childhood, adolescence, or college experience prepared you for this career?

Karyn:  I grew up participating in Girl Scouts and later in a co-ed division of Boy Scouts. I went camping 10 – 15 weekends a year and several weeks each summer. Any activity in the woods was a favorite hobby. College took me down a completely different path, and in an urban setting I did not get a chance to be outdoors very often. I worked two summers at a Boy Scout camp during college, but it was not until five years after I graduated that I left the city and went to work in New Mexico for the boy scouts for four years. While in college, however, I honed my listening skills, and with a degree in journalism, I gained some general communication skills. The journalism part at least helps with the paperwork I do now!

Alex:  What personality traits and skills do you think it takes to be successful in your job?

Karyn:  I think it’s important to be outgoing, a good listener, patient, fun-loving, giving, caring, adventurous, supportive and kind.  Actually many of the people who I work with do not have backgrounds in either wilderness or therapy! I think the profession is pretty open to people of all skill sets and interests.

Alex:  What challenges have you faced, and how have you managed setbacks in this job?

Karyn:  Probably the biggest challenge I have faced is not knowing with happens to our students when they leave our program. It can be emotionally draining to work with the same student for several weeks, and then they leave. I can only hope they don’t return to their negative coping patterns and find a successful aftercare treatment (usually boarding school). We very rarely hear back personally as instructors as to how the kids are doing. Other challenges include routine stuff – I get tired of our staple foods like beans and rice and pasta and oatmeal, and I’ve learned some creative recipes from few ingredients. Finally the weather can be tiresome sometimes – Georgia in the summertime with its heat and bugs is not the most comfortable place for a northern girl to be!

Alex:  What's the compensation like for those who are successful in your job? Explain the trajectory once one breaks in.

Karyn:  Compensation tends to be on a daily rate – the averages of various companies are something like $90 - $175/ day (working about 200 days/year). Most companies include health care, and mine has a 401K package and quarterly bonuses. A few bonuses – this is not generally seasonal work – most companies are year round. Because of a fairly high turnover rate, it’s fairly easy to work your way up in the field to become a senior level instructor relatively quickly. Another advantage of the pay is that you are not able to spend any money while you work in the woods, so the smaller dollars go a little farther.

http://www.getthejob.com/Community/blog ... karyn.aspx

24
The Troubled Teen Industry / NARPA Conference in November
« on: October 15, 2007, 01:16:46 PM »
Those who are interested might send their stories to NARPA regarding the industry. Might also recommend Maia and/or Pinto as a speaker for their conference in November.
Forwared from a newsgroup:

Good morning,
As many of you are aware, for many years the National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA) has been a diligent advocate for children and their rights. I am the administrator for NARPA and we are having our 2007 Rights Conference in Los Angeles in November.

We are dedicating a day in our program to children's issues and I thought you might be interested in seeing some of our presenters and a little about our program. I am attaching a registration brochure. We are also providing Continuing Legal Education units again, and have added Social Work CEUs. If you have any questions, please e-mail me; if you wish to contact any of our members or our Children's Committee with issues, please let me know. You may also see information about NARPA and its positions and issues on our web site at www.narpa.com.

Thank you, Ann Marshall, NARPA Administrator
~~~

From their 2003 Conference

Not Seen and Not Heard: Children Committed to Psychiatric Institutions
Carolyn Salisbury, J.D., University of Miami Law School

"I'm a child in a cage, locked in a mental hospital for being underage and not being on DCF's 'page', I'm property of the state and of workers earning minimum wage, I'm restrained and tranquilized like an animal on stage, I'm shut-up and shut-away but not allowed to feel rage, I'm just a child in state care growing up in a cage."

This workshop will present a model of legal advocacy for institutionalized children that successfully created systemic change in Florida. The state's supreme court recently held that dependent children are entitled to a lawyer and a hearing prior to involuntary committment to a psychiatric institution. We will explore how to apply the principles of therapeutic jurisprudence to help children's voices be heard and validated within the legal and mental health systems. The workshop will discuss the University of Miami Children & Youth Law Clinic's "Voice Project" and will show how advocates can launch similar multi-disciplinary collaborations.

25
Into the woods: Wilderness therapy needs congressional attention
Tribune Editorial
Article Last Updated: 10/15/2007 12:08:18 AM MDT

Congress has discovered the wilderness therapy industry, which takes troubled teenagers into the great outdoors to treat their behavioral or addiction problems. A new report from the General Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, has found that there have been numerous allegations in 33 states of child abuse and negligence associated with these programs, sometimes leading to death.

    This is not news to Utahns, who have witnessed five of these tragic fatalities since the industry was born here in the late 1980s. In response, Utah government has gradually tightened its licensing regulations and inspection of these privately operated outdoor youth programs.

    Ken Stettler, director of the state office that licenses the programs, says Utah has the most stringent rules and regulations in the nation. He also is confident in the inspection and licensing regime. "We have a good group of programs operating now," he told us.

    Nevertheless, we believe that Utah should welcome the congressional scrutiny, if only to bring a fresh perspective. The initial GAO report is long on generalities but short on specifics. It summarizes 10 cases that resulted in death, five of which occurred in Utah between 1990 and 2002. But the investigators reported that they had difficulty drawing an overall picture of the industry, partly because some states do not regulate private programs.

    However, the report says, the GAO is completing a comprehensive review of state and federal oversight of these programs and expects to report next year. We presume that later report may be more enlightening about the GAO's view of Utah's regulatory regime.

    Even before receiving those results, some members of Congress are calling for investigations by federal land management agencies into the wilderness treatment programs that operate on federal lands. Those calls strike us as premature. We would recommend that Congress await the second GAO report before proceeding further.

    This is not to discount the terrible losses suffered by parents whose children have died in these programs. Clearly, regulations have been insufficient in the past, and some programs have operated negligently, although it is impossible to eliminate all risk in the wilderness. But before ordering more probes, let the GAO drop the other hiking shoe.
~~~

EDITORIAL: An opinion about current local or national issues researched and written by the newspaper's editorial writers after the topic has been discussed and a position formulated by members of The Tribune's editorial board. Editorials are unsigned because they do not represent the sole opinion of the writer, but the board's, and thus the newspaper's, position on an issue of public import. The Tribune publishes two editorials a day in the lefthand column of the editorial page under the heading of "Our View" in the print edition. Online, they appear in the Editorials sub-section of the Opinion page.
   
   EDITORIAL BOARD: The seven-member board, headed by the publisher, which decides what issues the newspaper will offer an opinion on and what that opinion will be. A publisher is the chief executive officer of a newspaper responsible for all of its operations, including the news and editorial sections. The editorial board's day-to-day operation is supervised by the editorial and opinion editor on behalf of the publisher. The board also includes three editorial writers, the Public Forum editor and the editorial cartoonist.

26
The Troubled Teen Industry / Catherine Freer Spins a Defense
« on: October 12, 2007, 03:19:24 PM »
Press Releases
Posted: Oct 11, 2007
13:09  
Catherine Freer
Albany, OR

Catherine Freer Responds To House Hearings
Media Contact:
Paul Smith
800-390-3983
[email protected]

October 11, 2007

We support Rep. Miller and the Education Committee in doing what is possible to eliminate abusive and neglectful programs. At the same time, we believe it is important to preserve viable options for children and families in need of responsible and ethical therapeutic schools and programs. Our program has consistently supported regulations and standards for the treatment industry and we currently hold the highest level of state licensing and national accreditation that is available to us today.

Our hope is to have well-crafted and conceived regulations established that ensure that families and their children are protected, while preserving their freedom of choice regarding treatment options.

We want to share with you some information regarding the fatality at our program that the GAO investigated and which wasn't brought forth in either the GAO report or in the parent's testimony:

The day of the young woman's death, she had hiked less than two miles over a 5 hour period that included rest breaks in the shade. There was little elevation gain (approx 500'), in temperatures of high 70's. She consumed at least 1.5 liters of water that day.

The family's physician had prescribed an anti-convulsant (anti-seizure) medication for this young woman, which she was taking off-label for a mood disorder. (Off-label means taking a medication for something other than its intended purpose). The family physician cleared her for participation in our program knowing that she would be involved in strenuous physical activity.

A year after her death, the FDA came out with a warning about this medication, linking it to heat illnesses (heat exhaustion and heatstroke). It found that the medication inhibits one's ability to sweat (oligohydrosis), and makes it difficult for one's body to regulate internal temperatures through the normal mechanisms.

At the time of her admission into the program there were no pediatric trials on this drug and no research into how it interacted with legal medications, much less illegal street drugs.

Our Nevada branch was certified in the State of Nevada to operate as a drug and alcohol treatment program. We proactively met with the state Child Welfare Department to discuss our operations within the state and how our program could best adhere to their standards.

This fatality was thoroughly investigated and there was no finding of fault.

We would like to say that the loss of a loved one can be devastating. The loss of a young life is a particularly difficult tragedy for everyone that it touches. In a time of great grief and loss it is often soothing to have a concrete answer that explains why a tragedy or accident happens. Unfortunately, this clarity does not always exist.
~~

Was her death determined to be caused by the psych drug?

Ian August was on several psych drugs and overheated easily. A doctor released him to particpate too.
Are doctors aware of the reality of these programs? The true austere and rigorous nature of being force marched through the desert?
August's doctor might have been told they wouldn't hike in temps above 90*, which we know wasn't the case.

Can the quantity of water she drank be documented?

Should Wilderness programs even take kids on psych meds?

Certified to operate as a Drug/Alcohol Treatment Program? What's that got to do with wilderness?  Does Nevada have wilderness regulations? That needs some more research when I have time.
Does CFW have certified Substance Abuse counselors on the trail? Or does Nevada require that?

Yes, let us forget CFWs gross negligence presented by this parent and focus on the fact Erica was taking a psych drug.

How about the other two deaths? No comment?
Which "expert's" bright idea was it to allow a boy to set up his tent under a heavily snow laden tree branch?
I wish I was at liberty to comment on the third death that wasn't even reported in the media.

Did the 3 deaths at CWF skew the stats of the OBHICs study on safety of wilderness programs? Ironic that these deaths happened shortly after that 'study' was released and used as a marketing tool.

27
This fine NATSAP program, unlicensed, unaccredited, chooses "Coaches" over therapists.

Benchmark Young Adult School
Redlands, CA
Benchmark's Primary Coaches
Receive ICF Life Coach Certificates

Shelley Skaggs
Marketing & PR
714-963-4148
www.nextstepforsuccess.com, or read the recent articles about coaching on Strugglingteens.com website under "Essays" in the August issue at (www.strugglingteens.com).

NEXT STEP FOR SUCCESS
http://www.nextstepforsuccess.com/

EVER HIGHER LLC
http://everhigher.com/our_clients.htm

28
The Troubled Teen Industry / Rage Against Psychiatry
« on: October 10, 2007, 03:35:25 PM »
Happy Mental Health Day... Rage Against Psychiatry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBVip6kn ... B&index=55

Does anyone know, is this performed by Rage Against the Machine?

29
Web forum hosting / Ads
« on: October 10, 2007, 02:50:54 PM »
Do the Ads have to be so large?
Please make them smaller. I hate the horizontal scroll.... and I can't afford a 52" monitor.

30
The Troubled Teen Industry / Heritage RTC
« on: October 07, 2007, 11:22:38 PM »
In another thread Mamala asked:
Quote from: ""mamala""
Anyone have any experience or info on this place? Is making a kid sit and write all day with out being able to lay down or have a pillow abusive?


Of course it is. But, it depends on who you ask. Some very strong Mormon ties.

[Jerry] Spanos/Heritage donated to Romney's campaign
http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/neig ... rch=Search

Brother Glen Overton co-founder of HS
http://www.byu.edu/hr/employees/opac/luncheons-2005
http://www.byu.edu/hr/files/Glen_Overton.pdf

Elder Overton audio on "Perfecting the Prodigal"
Wanna get into the head of a Mormon program owner?
Gotta hear this!!  :o
http://byubroadcasting.org/familyexpo/d ... dYear=2001
The kids at HS who accepted Jesus Christ, those who understood and accepted "attonement", did best.
Are parents aware of the religious/mormon aspect of the program.

June 1990
Glen Overton of Heritage School in Provo, Utah, announced a joint venture with Wilderness Academy to provide clinical wilderness survival. Wilderness Academy is changing its name to Aspen Achievement Center and Nancy Groll has moved over from Heritage School in Provo to handle admissions.
http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives ... een01.html

April 1999
Continuing Property Tax Exemptions
5. Heritage Schools, Parcel No. 17:057:0077
Richard Evans, Jerry Spanos, and Glen Zagg are here to represent Heritage Schools. Commissioner Gardner asked if they are doing things according to the same mission that they always have, school services, rehabilitation, and group therapy. He stated that they are primarily an educational facility that provides mental health and other support services. Commissioner Gardner asked if the students are hired in an internship or as an apprenticeship and leave campus? He, stated that these kids are under the age of 18, the vocational education is strictly part of their education program. We hope that this will help them when they go back to their home community and try to find work employment to help them build some skills. We don't have any connections in the community where there are apprenticeship or placements. Commissioner Gardner said that was one of the major questions that he had. He then asked if they do any kind of off-site wilderness experience with the students. He said no. Everything is done on campus.
Aspen no longer provides wilderness?
With those questions answered Commissioner Gardner made the motion with regard to Item No. 5, Heritage School, Parcel No. 17:0057:0077, that we grant continuing property exempt status. Commissioner Herbert seconded the motion and with no additional comments or discussion it carried with the following vote:

Aye:
Jerry D. Grover
David J. Gardner
Gary R. Herbert

Nay: None

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