Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy => Topic started by: Anonymous on February 19, 2007, 10:39:45 PM
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eagerly anticipating the close down. Anyone have any ideas???
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I think we are all looking for a date. If the class is certified, then 8 days. If not, even longer...
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Even though I've been out for almost 2 years, I eagerly await the day.
I hope everyone's stories get heard.
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From what I hear HLA is still carrying on to everyone (students and families etc) :roll: that everything is just "Georgia Peachy"!! :roll:
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(http://http://www.duumvirate.net/patience.jpg)
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That is disgusting. Certainly the regulars on this board who fight for the rights of children in TBS' have something to say about this sick posting? I hope you don't support posting like this.
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I agree.
Milk - you've managed, yet again, to sink to a new low.
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Yeh, the sentiment is accurate, but the image doesn't fit. HLA isn't and sh0uldn't be characterized by a helpless, starving, neglected, oppressed, third world child. Find a different image. Please.
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Any new news anyone?
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I have it on good authority from a very reliable source that Len is preparing to file for bankruptcy and that he has been "actively shopping the school to competitors."
It won't be long now.
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My guess is that HLA will close by the end of May 2007 at the end of this semester. I think they will wait till then because that is when some kids will graduate high school.
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iF YOU HAVE IT FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE THAT LEN IS CONSIDERING FILING BANKRUPTCY, WHEN DO YOU GUESS THAT WILL HAPPEN?? :question:
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they're gathering the necessary information now. i assume they'll make a go/no go decision shortly and then file if needed. it should be soon if it's gonna happen...
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Does anyone know on average ho long it takes for a class to be certified? It just seems its been quite awhile since that hearing.
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I promise you that the Judge will not certify this class even though he needs to. He is a very conservative judge from what I hear. The only thing that the lawsuit has done is to hurt enrollment at HLA. Lack of the # of students is what I think will force a decision to close the school if it comes to that. That is just my opinion. With a couple of peer groups I think that should graduate in May 2007, that should hurt them more than they can recover. Just a guess at this point.
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I promise you that the Judge will not certify this class even though he needs to. He is a very conservative judge from what I hear. The only thing that the lawsuit has done is to hurt enrollment at HLA. Lack of the # of students is what I think will force a decision to close the school if it comes to that. That is just my opinion. With a couple of peer groups I think that should graduate in May 2007, that should hurt them more than they can recover. Just a guess at this point.
Happyday7 - You're wrong about one thing. The lawsuit is NOT to blame for HLA's troubles; HLA is to blame for HLA's troubles. The lawsuit just revealed the truth.
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Exactly. They were warned this would happen if they didnt stop doing what they were doing. They have no one to blame but themselves.
Len since we know youre reading this take this message to heart.
What's happening now is your fault. You brought this on yourself.
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I totally agree. The way I worded that was wrong. I 200% agree that HLA is responsible for their own troubles. I just meant that since the lawsuit has not been certified yet, it is at least helping to shine the light on HLA and what they have been doing and exposing some of the wrongs done to students and their families. When you listen to Ed Cons, you are trusting in what they tell you because you are making what you believe to be a good faith decision that you are being told will help your child. Once you get there, you really see what it is all about.
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The good thing about the law suit is that it has forced Len to allow many of the changes that his staff had been calling for for years. Len hates having to make changes, but the kids are the ones who benefit. If HLA does survive, it will now be a place that is approved of by the state and watched by oversight agencies. In fact it may be the most highly credentialed TBS in the country if it survives, an issue that HLA will likely market to ed cons and parents. How ironic it would be if all of this made HLA the most succeful TBS in the industry. With state approval and everything. I am not saying that I think this will happen, I am just saying it would be very ironic.
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The good thing about the law suit is that it has forced Len to allow many of the changes that his staff had been calling for for years.
What changes are you referring to specifically?
In fact it may be the most highly credentialed TBS in the country if it survives, an issue that HLA will likely market to ed cons and parents.
How so? Please elaborate.
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HLA is now being required to be licensed by the state. From what I understand they are close to having all requirements met. I don't know of any other TBS's that are state licensed. Maybe there are some and I just don't know it. If they are in fact the only one, then it will be a huge marketing tool.
When that happens the debate will of course turn to whether or not TBS's are a good idea in general.
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I am sure all the other TBS?s are watching, especially Aspen Group. If the licensing increases their market share I am sure the other schools will try to follow suit (or might have to to survive long term)?.this could be a great step in raising the bar???This will prove interesting as it unfolds.
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I am sure all the other TBS?s are watching, especially Aspen Group. If the licensing increases their market share I am sure the other schools will try to follow suit (or might have to to survive long term)?.this could be a great step in raising the bar???This will prove interesting as it unfolds.
If that happens then I would say the people on this site would have done a great job. They would have changed the industry for the better and forced them to have oversight and accountability.
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Emphasize the word forced. HLA didnt choose this and they fought it tooth and nail. Not something they can easily wear as a badge of honor.
Not that it matters, they wont be around much longer anyway.
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I am sure all the other TBS?s are watching, especially Aspen Group. If the licensing increases their market share I am sure the other schools will try to follow suit (or might have to to survive long term)?.this could be a great step in raising the bar???This will prove interesting as it unfolds.
If that happens then I would say the people on this site would have done a great job. They would have changed the industry for the better and forced them to have oversight and accountability.
Hear,Hear?.Yes and we can finally get past this mentality that the industry never changes or grows and that all the schools are the same..... we are witnessing change and improvement and the kids will benefit from it across the industry as it spreads. It is a good thing that HLA does this and sets a new standard. Even if they are not in business that much longer it is a crucial step and hopefully other schools see this.
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HLA is now being required to be licensed by the state. From what I understand they are close to having all requirements met. I don't know of any other TBS's that are state licensed. Maybe there are some and I just don't know it. If they are in fact the only one, then it will be a huge marketing tool.
When that happens the debate will of course turn to whether or not TBS's are a good idea in general.
While there are too many programs that aren't licensed, there are a good number of licensed TBSs, particularly in Utah.
With the largest population of TBSs, RTCs, Wilderness programs, they're all required to be licensed, and have been for some years. Utah has the best regs in the country. Now... getting Stettler (ol industry man) to enforce them is another matter. Georgia really needs to think about updating their regs. Pretty antiquated, but better than nothing.
Being licensed can certainly increase your public appeal, unless you rack up too many violations, which are posted publicly. And don't ya know, people will be watching and reporting violations. Too many violations and you're out of business. Double-edged sword in that respect.
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It is a good thing that HLA does this and sets a new standard.
You mean, finally submit to the State's demand to apply for licensure or cease operating? After lying to the state twice about services provided to avoid regulation, like your beloved ASR. Talk about your classic ODD. Is there a program for program owners?
Yes, let's give them an award for being a trendsetter in the industry. :roll:
And aren't they all just dying to do what's best for the kids. :roll:
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I've had my eyes opened to the reality of state licensing and it fails in many ways. To put it simply it's hard to get programs to live up to state regs and the regulators don't provided adequate oversight.
The good thing is that you can strangle a program when they get to comfortable with a laissez-faire licensure, thats the idea anyway.
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Let's get one thing very clear: HLA did NOT willingly apply for licensure as has been pointed out.
DHR/ORS point blank told them they could no longer continue operating as they had been and HLA had to apply for a license as a Residential Childcare Facility or cease operating. There was no willingness on their part to become licensed so please don't make them into some type of martyr and insinuate that they are an industry leader. BTW - Ridge Creek is licensed, but that didn't prevent Ridge Creek from getting cited for a ton of violations.
Bottom line - HLA had years to get it right, but instead they fought being licensed by DHR/ORS (something that has been pointed out numerous times). If there's so much concern for the children, why would the owner fight being licensed by an agency whose only concern it to protect children? It just doesn't add up unless there's too much to hide.
Note to "The Who": Why are you bringing up Aspen? Is that because Aspen is considering buying HLA? That's been rumored. Maybe you're just confirming it.
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Regardless of whether or not they have been forced into this, it is going to end up being an incredible marketing tool for them. IF they can financially survive this law suit (and that's a big if) then they will have something that sets them apart from most other TBS's.
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Guest wrote:
Note to "The Who": Why are you bringing up Aspen? Is that because Aspen is considering buying HLA? That's been rumored. Maybe you're just confirming it.
No, nothing I heard directly, but I do have some thoughts on the subject?.. they have a small place called ?Stone Mountain school? down that way but very little else in the southeast, well maybe "New Leaf", but they are doing well focusing on 10-12 year old girls and wouldn?t want to break the integrity there. Stone Mountain needs lots of work and is more of a wilderness program (with a few buildings) than anything else. Strategically it makes sense if they could pick up the HLA property, sell off some land to pay back taxes on it, throw on a coat of paint etc. they could implement a more of a clinical based program modeled after ASR, maybe call it ?Wahsega Academy? and either sell off the Stone mountain school or use it as the wilderness portion (depending on SUWS capacity and expansion). They cant keep building and expanding in Cummington because they will lose their small school atmosphere and the new direction is ?specialize and focus on a specific problems? which would allow them more freedom to do this if some kids went to Georgia. This would also solve their growing pain problems. Although any success would be hinged on a relationship with the Lumpkin school district and whether this guy Dewey Moye (who is also on the board of the Georgia Accrediting Commission) would extend his hand to Aspen for an academic certification partnership etc. Without the academics portion (or as a minimum a non-traditional ed status, special purpose or a provisional accreditation) they won?t consider it in my opinion?..So it is just speculation as a possibility on my part, no rumor confirmation.
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It appears the citizens of Dahlonega have had enough, they shot down the tax abatement for Mountain Brook because they didnt want another program in their area. I doubt that would do anything to welcome another program swooping in after HLA is gone. They just dont appear to want it.
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It appears the citizens of Dahlonega have had enough, they shot down the tax abatement for Mountain Brook because they didnt want another program in their area. I doubt that would do anything to welcome another program swooping in after HLA is gone. They just dont appear to want it.
What you say may be true, but, I saw it a little differently. It seems the people of Dahlonega were a little disenchanted because HLA was looking for financial help from the town in the form of an abatement when HLA didn?t seem to want to be part of the community. It seems they were not doing enough to hire local people and basically give back to the community, so why should the town give them a loan?
If another company came along and offered to contribute more to the town in the form of hiring local people, paying taxes and able to pull their own weight financially they may be better received.
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You clearly are not informed, as usual.
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You clearly are not informed, as usual.
Here is where I got my information:
Hidden Lake Academy, as reported in one issue of the "Lakeside Reflections", the school paper, has been planning to build a sister school which would be called Mountain Brook Academy. HLA requested a somewhat controversial 10-year tax abatement for MBA to the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners. Many people announced that they were opposed to this including the pastor of the influential local United Methodist Church, Rev. Jeff Ross. Former professor and US Army Colonel Billy Wells, who is in charge of North Georgia College and State University's leadership initiative, was also strongly opposed to the abatement and voiced his concerns in the local paper, The Dahlonega Nugget:
Our property taxes support our children's schools. They support roads like the one the county apparently paved for you at Hidden Lake. If you are so interested in giving, then why can you not give your fair share of taxes like everyone else? Are the children of Lumpkin County not important to you...The public deserves some clear answers ... not Madison Avenue ads, spin and pressure tactics.
As far as providing jobs for current residents, an analysis of your Web site indicates that 60 percent of your academically-credentialed staff, those who make the best salaries, originally came from out of state. Probably even more came from out of the county. Also, do you plan to construct additional faculty housing so employees do not have to pay property taxes? I suspect you will create jobs ... and then bring in the people to fill them
So it doesn?t seem to be the school per se, based on this article anyway. I am sure there is more to the story but the people seemed to feel HLA was not a good neighbor and wasn?t supporting the community.
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There are a few more articles and letters to the editor from the local paper, which are posted here, that tell the whole story.
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Well, I've taken the first steps of a "not in my backyard" campaign against letting any of these behavior mod facilities into town.
I have sent letters to the local planning board and to the county commissioners as well as some influential locals explaining the depth and breadth of false information, phony credentials, business model, lack of accreditation or licensed employees, etc in Aspen Education Group (who I believe will make the move to acquire the HLA property) along with copious documentation of their patient abuses.
This one is going to be dead before it hits the ground, just like we killed MBA through lobbying and education of the principals.
FYI, the townfolk and the town government are both very weary of the problems caused by HLA and are reticent even to debate the sale of the property to what they refer to as a "juvenile private prison."
So, we'll see. I and a few others are on top of it and talking to the people that matter down there.
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It's a sad day in Mudville, apparently HLA had a clause written into all the contracts stating that if a parent wised up and decided to sue them as so many have, the parents were respondsible for the all court cost and legal fees.
This was probably done to try and scare parents and disuade them from suing.
Well as it turns out no one is really afraid of them afterall.
The judge ruled that the clause violated Georgia Law, and the parents, or the plantiffs in this case are not respondsible for any of HLA's legal fees.
Doesn't that just suck for them.
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I haven't been on in a while. What has happened with the lawsuit? Any news on closing the school or the bankruptcy filing?
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DJ, if you care so much why don't you start your own program they have good facilities at HLA or see if Aspen would back you to build a program as a show piece to show the rest what they should do?
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DJ, if you care so much why don't you start your own program they have good facilities at HLA or see if Aspen would back you to build a program as a show piece to show the rest what they should do?
Because there is no program that works based on this flawed model. Sending kids to RTC's without diagnoses and threat to life and limb of self and others is wrong. Not sure why you can't see this.
Just ask The Who. He incarcerated his own kid without her having any quantifiable problems. Ask him. He'll tell you. They did not even engage in family therapy, just sent the kid, alone, to a shit pit for no reason that The Who can explain. Except maybe that conditional love thing he has with his kid. Maybe he just doesn't love her - or didn't the day he sent her away for nothing that he can explain.
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Twice.