Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Troubled Teen Industry => Topic started by: Anonymous on July 13, 2007, 09:29:45 PM
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What in the heck is going on? I got this in my email...
Dear HEALers & Survivors,
We received an e-mail last month from Kat Whitehead of CAFETY claiming
that
the GAO had tentatively scheduled a hearing on the behavior
modification
industry and that CAFETY was organizing families and survivors to
testify at
these hearings. As you can see below, the GAO is not and will not
schedule
or hold a hearing on this issue as that is not what they do. We are
concerned that CAFETY is misinforming the survivor community regarding
a
possible hearing in order to obtain private information regarding
survivors,
their experiences, and their families. As CAFETY has stated that the
only
way to sign up to speak at this alleged hearing is to go through
CAFETY, we
find this highly suspect.
So, HEAL has contacted the GAO and we can confirm (see below) that the
GAO
will not be holding any such hearing. We have asked Kay Brown how
survivors
and families can go about submitting their stories for the GAO report
on the
residential treatment industry and are awaiting a response. We are
also
watching the House calendar to see if and when any such hearing is
scheduled
and how survivors and families can participate. We'd like to take this
opportunity to inform you that you do not need to go through CAFETY or
share
your information with HEAL or any third party. HEAL is working
diligently
to give you the direct information so you can decide and move forward
with
filing with the GAO and/or testifying at any alleged hearing. There is
no
hearing scheduled at this time and it is my understanding that there
won't
be a hearing until after the GAO report is filed in early 2008.
Stay informed and involved!
In Solidarity,
Angela S.
HEAL Coordinator
-----Original Message-----
From: Kay E Brown [mailto:BrownKE@gao.gov]
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 11:28 AM
To: www.gao.gov (http://www.gao.gov). We do not have authority to hold hearings, but
often
are asked to testify at hearings held by various Congressional
committees.
That said, you probably heard about us because we are currently
conducting
reviews of aspects of residential treatment facilities for children.
Our
work was requested by Representative George Miller, Chairman of the
House
Committee on Education and Labor. Our report will not be released until
early 2008. Any hearings on the subject would be scheduled by the House
committee and are not necessarily linked to the release of our report.
You
can contact that committee or visit their Web site for more information
on
whether and when they will be holding hearings. If you have more
questions,
please feel free to call me at 202.512.3674.
Kay Brown
Kay E. Brown
Acting Director
USGAO
202 512-3674
brownke@gao.gov
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what the hell is this shit?!?!
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WTF is HEAL claiming here? Their email is the opposite of what was sent to them by the GAO. How the hell can you have a report on anything if you don't collect evidence (e.g. hold hearings) first? The GAO doesn't have the authority to hold hearings, okay. The committee which George Miller heads (isn't he the congressman who's been aggressive)? will do that.
Just what we need, more bureaucratic infighting.
'Sup George? You reading this?
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Ms. Smith,
Thank you for your e-mail. Let me clarify who we (GAO) are and the
circumstances of the possible public hearing. The Government
Accountability
Office is an independent agency in the legislative branch. Our mission
is to
help Congress improve the performance and accountability of the federal
government. We do objective fact-based studies and investigations for
Congress, usually at the request of or when mandated by Congress. Once
completed and released, our studies are made available to the public on
our
Web site, www.gao.gov (http://www.gao.gov). We do not have authority to hold hearings, but
often
are asked to testify at hearings held by various Congressional
committees.
That said, you probably heard about us because we are currently
conducting
reviews of aspects of residential treatment facilities for children.
Our
work was requested by Representative George Miller, Chairman of the
House
Committee on Education and Labor. Our report will not be released until
early 2008. Any hearings on the subject would be scheduled by the House
committee and are not necessarily linked to the release of our report.
You
can contact that committee or visit their Web site for more information
on
whether and when they will be holding hearings. If you have more
questions,
please feel free to call me at 202.512.3674.
Kay Brown
Kay E. Brown
Acting Director
USGAO
202 512-3674
I'm reading it as the GAO will not be holding hearings, but will be conducting interviews and other fact finding activities. The hearings, if any, will be held by congress at a later time.
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::hrtbrk:: There are not enough words to describe how I am feeling,
no study? no testimonys from survivors? no testimony from anyone interested???
I just don't understand... :cry:
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but will be conducting interviews and other fact finding activities.
Survivors and ex-staff: You do not need CAFETY, HEAL, or anyone else for this.
Contact the GAO with your information prepared. Via certified mail, in three-paragraph letters, or more if you want to give it to them all at once. Right fucking now.
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but will be conducting interviews and other fact finding activities.
Survivors and ex-staff: You do not need CAFETY, HEAL, or anyone else for this.
Contact the GAO with your information prepared. Via certified mail, in three-paragraph letters, or more if you want to give it to them all at once. Right fucking now.
Agreed. Letter will be sent out by monday.
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how should we go about writing the GAO?
some advice would be appreciated.
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Ms. Smith,
Thank you for your e-mail. Let me clarify who we (GAO) are and the
circumstances of the possible public hearing. The Government
Accountability
Office is an independent agency in the legislative branch. Our mission
is to
help Congress improve the performance and accountability of the federal
government. We do objective fact-based studies and investigations for
Congress, usually at the request of or when mandated by Congress. Once
completed and released, our studies are made available to the public on
our
Web site, www.gao.gov (http://www.gao.gov). We do not have authority to hold hearings, but
often
are asked to testify at hearings held by various Congressional
committees.
That said, you probably heard about us because we are currently
conducting
reviews of aspects of residential treatment facilities for children.
Our
work was requested by Representative George Miller, Chairman of the
House
Committee on Education and Labor. Our report will not be released until
early 2008.
.
You
can contact that committee or visit their Web site for more information
on
whether and when they will be holding hearings. If you have more
questions,
please feel free to call me at 202.512.3674.
Kay Brown
Kay E. Brown
Acting Director
USGAO
202 512-3674
I'm reading it as the GAO will not be holding hearings, but will be conducting interviews and other fact finding activities. The hearings, if any, will be held by congress at a later time.
A hearing could be conducted at anytime. It is my understanding the folks over at CAFETY are trying to get the word out to survivors should they want to participate.
"Any hearings on the subject would be scheduled by the House
committee and are not necessarily linked to the release of our report"
I am sure it is just semantics and the understanding of the exact process of the hearings and how it takes place. I know that CAFETY is NOT trying to gather this information for their own purposes. Their intent is real and they are just taking on the task of getting the information out to the folks in case a hearing takes place. It is absurd to assume otherwise.
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i sure hope so. i have faith in CAFETY.
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202.512.3674
See that? That's a phone number.
DO NOT talk about the hellhole you went to over the phone. Just don't. It's a waste of everyone's time, and nobody wants people calling them up with it. This needs to be in writing for it to mean jack shit. What you do is you ask him how you can have your testimony entered into the formal record. And then you send it to him by certified mail. If you really want to play hardball, get a notary public to co-sign it. This just shows you're serious.
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The GAO has been investigating this for awhile before Cafety made their announcement.
I know several people who have already been interviewed, some even in person. All victims of abuse in a program and/or their parents, and others who for one reason or another had something to aid the GAO in their investigation. It's not like this is some secret but I do agree that Cafety's announcement was somewhat misleading in that it appeared they were asking people to go "through them". HEAL was clearly trying to clarify for the benefit of all and that's a good thing, IMO.
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The GAO has been investigating this for awhile before Cafety made their announcement.
I know several people who have already been interviewed, some even in person. All victims of abuse in a program and/or their parents, and others who for one reason or another had something to aid the GAO in their investigation. It's not like this is some secret but I do agree that Cafety's announcement was somewhat misleading in that it appeared they were asking people to go "through them". HEAL was clearly trying to clarify for the benefit of all and that's a good thing, IMO.
Uh, the letter from HEAL did more than "clarify", assumptions were made about CAFETY's intentions. I believe CAFETY's intentions are only to gather folks if they are so inclined. IMO
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i also didnt trust the caftey post on hearing so i also did my own research. I think that caftey is just collecting info right now and then going to try to controle who they submitt for testimony in such a way to controle the hearings to meet PURE and CAFTEY's own agenda. Word to Sue Scheif and Isabella i also have the contanct info if there is a hearings i know who does the scheduling so your little plan wont work. I think they need to hear about Whitmore academy and the PURE money making scam. Lets not forget IZZY!
If there is a hearing the congressmen wil get full picture not a partial one showing PURE and IZZY as saviors they will get the truth!
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whats with the negativity of Cafety? please explain... i am so confused as to who to believe...they seem like good people to me.. after all arent we all working together on this issue?
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Whoa, CAFETY not in any way associated w/ Izzy, PURE, etc. You caca freaks are crazy.
Rachael
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i thought CATEY was with caca and IZZY. They are not connected? im sorry for making the connection if i was wrong someone please fill me in....
Anyways now not only one group knows who to call to arrange testimony if there is hearings.
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i thought CATEY was with caca and IZZY. They are not connected? im sorry for making the connection if i was wrong someone please fill me in....
Anyways now not only one group knows who to call to arrange testimony if there is hearings.
http://www.cafety.com/ (http://www.cafety.com/)
Community Alliance for the Fair and Ethical Treatment of Youth
Kathryn Whitehead is the Principal. She is a young adult who is a survivor of a Montana based TBS.
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I think Cafety is the advocacy group that works closely with A Start?
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CAFETY is probably trying to get the word out and compile a list of people willing to testify for any possible hearings, that would explain them wanting survivors to go through CAFETY. I see it as an attempt to be more organized. As far as confusing the purpose of the GAO in this... Government is frustrating and confusing and the folks at CAFETY are human and maybe just made a mistake or miss worded their post about hearings.
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There are thousands of people who have been victimized by this industry, stretching all the way back to the 70's and 80's with Straight, The Seed, etc. Truly a massive undertaking and long overdue. It will be interesting to see how the special interest groups position themselves. :wink:
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CAFETY is probably trying to get the word out and compile a list of people willing to testify for any possible hearings, that would explain them wanting survivors to go through CAFETY. I see it as an attempt to be more organized. As far as confusing the purpose of the GAO in this... Government is frustrating and confusing and the folks at CAFETY are human and maybe just made a mistake or miss worded their post about hearings.
thank you hanzomon i agree
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There are thousands of people who have been victimized by this industry, stretching all the way back to the 70's and 80's with Straight, The Seed, etc. Truly a massive undertaking and long overdue. It will be interesting to see how the special interest groups position themselves. :wink:
I fully expect that groups like NATSAP will position themselves as the solution to any problems regarding abuse, Advocates in sheep's clothing al la Izzy. In short they will push industry self regulation through phony orgs with impressive acronyms with the accompanying bs slogans about "helping teens in crisis", "restoring families", etc....
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I'm starting my own .org for this whole thing. It will be titled W.A.N.K. to express my dislike of almost every single .org in this entire fetid business.
First meeting will consist of the following:
1) Case of beer purchased
2) Case of Beer taken to roof, any roof looking over a major road will do.
3) Case of beer consumed
4) Empties hurled at cars passing by on the road.
The whole thing reads like a bit of a misrepresentation on the part of cafety. I've never met Kat in person, but from what I know about her from our few conversations over the internet she doesn't seem the type to misrepresent herself deliberately. More than likely it was a mistake and not anything done at all with the intention to mislead anyone.
I'm sort of happy to see the email myself. It answers my question about when the hearings will more than likely take place if there is to be any.
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CAFETY and A START are closely linked. CAFETY is helping organize people who want to present their stories, not control the input. The GAO is in control of the investigation. A START is well aware of the hi-jinks of Izzy and Sue, and they regard them as highly as this august group does. They're something that needs to be scraped off yer shoe...
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My understanding as a very active member of CAFETY/Youth ACT
GAO - conducting investigation (anyone can get in contact with them to interview with them. If we presented ourselves as gatekeepers in anyway, we apologize, it was not our intention.)
Congress - Rep. Miller spoke to representatives from ASTART. (many members who have been promoting community-based services for decades, and have connections to Rep. Miller's office and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the Federal Government.) It seems probable that Rep. Miller will be holding hearings (separate from the GAO investigation) in late September, based on what he said to members from ASTART himself.
CAFETY's Role - we would like to hold a rally in Washington D.C. to coincide with whenever the hearings are. We would love to have the help of every other organization that has the stake in this (it would be a rally against TBS's not a CAFETY rally), and are currently in the process of trying to obtain funding to pay for transportation to D.C. (this is all very preliminary). Hence, why we've been particularly aggressive in trying to get people to get in touch with us, but only for the purpose of getting people down to D.C. to make a statement in a physical fashion. If nothing else I hope this galvanizes those who have been standing on the sidelines to do something to take this industry down.
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Kathryn and CAFETY are true advocates, and I don't know why any Fornits member would really question what they're trying to do or put them in the same category as Ca-ca or PureBS. I have no doubt they have saved a lot more kids than they realize.
Kat, you're still my hero. I wish I could've made it to NYC for the Over the GW screening and to meet you in person. I'll get out there eventually, and I still owe you...
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CAFETY's Role - we would like to hold a rally in Washington D.C. to coincide with whenever the hearings are. We would love to have the help of every other organization that has the stake in this (it would be a rally against TBS's not a CAFETY rally), and are currently in the process of trying to obtain funding to pay for transportation to D.C. (this is all very preliminary). Hence, why we've been particularly aggressive in trying to get people to get in touch with us, but only for the purpose of getting people down to D.C. to make a statement in a physical fashion. If nothing else I hope this galvanizes those who have been standing on the sidelines to do something to take this industry down.
Thanks for the clarification and you can depend on W.A.N.K.s support!
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Can anyone explain why the GAO is investigating instead of the OIG who did a previous report on RTCs lacking oversight?
http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-98-00570.pdf (http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-98-00570.pdf)
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I just found this in my Email account:
Dear Kat,
As you are sharing your response with HEAL with everyone involved with CAFETY and/or on the cafety-listserv, HEAL has also bcc'd our reply to our members. We believe this is only fair and are acting to protect the interests of those who place their trust in us and our organization.
Any misunderstanding was facilitated by CAFETY. Your communications with me stated that it was a GAO Hearing, not a Congressional Hearing. Perhaps that was a typo in your initial communication on this issue. Secondly, on the CAFETY website, upon my initial visit after receiving your first e-mail on this alleged hearing, stated that you were gathering information on survivors and if anyone wanted to participate in the hearings they needed to submit their information to you (including: name, when/where institutionalized, etc.). Nowhere on the CAFETY site or the page regarding this alleged hearing was there any information on how individuals could participate in this hearing without going through you. So, in the least, it was not created in the spirit of full disclosure nor did it aid those who would participate in acting independently of CAFETY, something I find to be unethical and suspect.
I have reviewed the Congressional Hearings schedule and cannot find any hearing tentatively (or otherwise) scheduled for this topic. And, according to Ms. Brown, there is no hearing scheduled at this time and that it likely wouldn't be scheduled until early 2008. You stated there was a hearing tentatively scheduled for September of 2007. This is either wholly erroneous information you shared, or, you have inside information that is not being publicly disclosed at this time.
Neither the CAFETY website, nor your personal e-mail to me, stated where you received this information or how one might go about confirming the information through official channels. I have been in touch with both the GAO and Rep. George Miller's office and neither confirm your statements regarding a scheduled hearing. In fact, we've received flat out denials that any such hearing is even tentatively scheduled at this time.
We applaud all efforts to expose and close abusive programs and hope that is your sole intention regarding the GAO investigation and alleged hearing. It is a concern that claiming to have specific information not readily available to the public that you are sitting on it and advocating that survivors "sign up" with you if they'd like to speak to the GAO or at the hearings. As stated before, the officials involved are presently not confirming or flat-out denying that any such hearing has been scheduled.
We encourage you to encourage others to participate in the democratic process by providing specific and detailed information regarding any pertinent hearing or investigation so that everyone can participate and that no one is left out because they were hesitant or unwilling to give all of their private information to you, CAFETY, HEAL, or any third party.
Sincerely,
Angela Smith
HEAL Coordinator
-----Original Message-----
From: kat [mailto:katfish.w@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 6:00 PM
To: heal@heal-online.org
Cc: cafety-listserv
Subject: GAO Investigation and Congressional Hearings
Hi Angela,
Unfortunately it seems that there is a lack of understanding pertaining to the role of the GAO and the separate congressional hearings being held. Our effort around both the hearings and the GAO investigations pertains to 1. organizing rallies around the hearings and funding to alumni who wish to attend and 2. collecting a database of alumni who may be willing to be contacted by the GAO for their investigation.
At no point has this effort been suggested to be the only avenue of access to the GAO, as your dialogue with this investigative arm of Congress clearly illustrates. As a democracy, there are plenty of avenues for communication and any effort to facilitate this does not contradict this reality.
It seems you have a misconception of our efforts and I hope that this email clarifies it for you.
Hope you well!
Best, kat
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Yay more anarchy! This is cooking up to be a wild old time.
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*bump..
More details!
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http://cafety.org/index.php?option=com_ ... &Itemid=95 (http://cafety.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=436&Itemid=95)
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::hrtbrk:: There are not enough words to describe how I am feeling,
no study? no testimonys from survivors? no testimony from anyone interested???
I just don't understand... :cry:
The hearings will be scheduled late Sept. - before the GAO investigation - as per the GAO folks, although they are not the ones who hold the hearings...
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The hearings are tentatively scheduled for late September. That is a lot different from definitely going to be scheduled.
I reaaaally hope that soon it changes from tentatively to definitely though, and I have every confidence that Sen. George Miller is going to do his best to see that it happens.
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No you don't! Stop lying. :roll:
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Now Now EP don't your dander up. I'm sure you can cut and paste the pertinent section of my blog to refute me. Get on it.
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You aren't worth the time. We both know you are full of shit, that's all that matters.
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I just want you to know Exit Plan. In the end you will always have my sympathy and forgiveness. You've been through a lot and done so much.
God bless you.
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Curioser and curioser...
202.512.3674
See that? That's a phone number.
DO NOT talk about the hellhole you went to over the phone. Just don't. It's a waste of everyone's time, and nobody wants people calling them up with it. This needs to be in writing for it to mean jack shit. What you do is you ask him how you can have your testimony entered into the formal record. And then you send it to him by certified mail. If you really want to play hardball, get a notary public to co-sign it. This just shows you're serious.
I just called this number. There is no such government agency that I know of called the Government Accountability Office. There Is one called the Government Accounting office.
Anyway, I'm only peeking in. Still busy putting my life back together right about now. Hate to be a drive by poster, but a lick and a promise will have to do for now.
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http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Accountability_Office
Perhaps they are the same organization?
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Kathryn and CAFETY are true advocates, and I don't know why any Fornits member would really question what they're trying to do or put them in the same category as Ca-ca or PureBS.
Experience?
There lives more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds.
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Kathryn and CAFETY are true advocates, and I don't know why any Fornits member would really question what they're trying to do or put them in the same category as Ca-ca or PureBS.
Experience?
There lives more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds.
:nworthy:
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agreed Frod.. It got sigged!
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Curioser and curioser...
202.512.3674
See that? That's a phone number.
DO NOT talk about the hellhole you went to over the phone. Just don't. It's a waste of everyone's time, and nobody wants people calling them up with it. This needs to be in writing for it to mean jack shit. What you do is you ask him how you can have your testimony entered into the formal record. And then you send it to him by certified mail. If you really want to play hardball, get a notary public to co-sign it. This just shows you're serious.
I just called this number. There is no such government agency that I know of called the Government Accountability Office. There Is one called the Government Accounting office.
Anyway, I'm only peeking in. Still busy putting my life back together right about now. Hate to be a drive by poster, but a lick and a promise will have to do for now.
They recently changed the name of the organization.
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Cool, I just figured that out. I stand corrected and thanks for the clarification.
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I just called this number.
Did anyone answer? I just did a quick google of 202-512-3674 and the first hit is to www.gao.gov (http://www.gao.gov). It lists that number as belonging to someone named Kay E. Brown. The second hit is also to www.gao.gov (http://www.gao.gov) and it says Ms. Brown is Assistant Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security. The document in the second hit starts with 'Lessons Learned for Protecting and Educating Children after the Gulf Coast Hurricanes' and talks about finding kids displaced by the storm, kids that ended up in foster homes, rebuilding damaged schools, etc.
The phone number and the person seem to be quite real, and involved in some way with education.
Suspicion is good, but verification is better.
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Yup, yup and thanks for that. That's the difference between honest doubt and mud slinging. And thanks, Frod n Gook for the praise.
Just trying to figure out what the role of GAO might be here. As I understand their role, it's all about auditing Federal spending on a cost/benefit basis. Couple of years ago they came back with a most unwelcome (to the drug warriors) report on drug war spending. I wonder if their standing is on Faith Based and Community Initiatives spending. And, in this overly long political season, I would like to take this opportunity to point out that that was a Clinton program taken over and renamed by the B
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Yup, yup and thanks for that. That's the difference between honest doubt and mud slinging. And thanks, Frod n Gook for the praise.
Just trying to figure out what the role of GAO might be here. As I understand their role, it's all about auditing Federal spending on a cost/benefit basis. Couple of years ago they came back with a most unwelcome (to the drug warriors) report on drug war spending. I wonder if their standing is on Faith Based and Community Initiatives spending. And, in this overly long political season, I would like to take this opportunity to point out that that was a Clinton program taken over and renamed by the B
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This is old, but it's worth posting again. Hope it hasn't been re-posted recently, we've been celebrating my step daughter's 18th birthday. It's sad to see her grown up, but we're glad her bio-dad (AKA Boozo the Unstable Clown) loses his ability to inflict his demented will on her.
Sen. Miller, if you run for President I'll make sure you win, rigged vote count/Dubya style, if need be. Time to oust the CEO's of the military-industrial complex and get a man with integrity in the Oval Office.
There's a lot of in-fighting these days, and now is not the time. Angela at HEAL is committed to wiping out abusive bullshit programs and she's been great to correspond with. Kat's a survivor who wouldn't associate with industry reformers. A START has changed since it's inception from seeking reform of the industry to wanting it shut-down. My step daughter's plight at PV changed their views considerably - A START never concerned themselves with licensed facilities until they came upon the devil's rectum, Peninsula Village. One of A START's principals, a psychiatrist with a big heart, wrote an e-mail to me saying "K___, when I think of PV, I envision George Wallace's Alabama and the National Guard having to march in. If that's what it'll take at PV, so be it," A START has changed, the early idealism has been replaced by a no bullshit stance. Ask NATSAP, they found out. Too many deaths and no action have galvanized us all.
Ginger is the heart of all of this. No one else could keep a free-wheeling forum like Fornits running and still have it be the best source of program info available. Whether they admit it or not, the aforementioned advocates DO read Fornits. Some can't post for professional reasons, but they know where to find the pulse of what's going on with the industry.
Kevin August? I reserve judgment...
Shit, it's like Life of Brian...I don't care if it's the Judean People's Front, the People's Front of Judea, or the Front of Judea's People, I've worked with all of you (except Kevin) and you're all great and working toward the same end. I believe in God and the devil, and I'll work either end to get the right thing done.
Damn, why do I feel like Rodney King?
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ed ... 22105.html (http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/edlabor_dem/rel122105.html)
Concerned About Allegations of Child Abuse, Representative Miller Requests GAO Investigation Into ‘Boot Camps’
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC -- Representative George Miller (D-CA) today asked the General Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive investigation of residential treatment programs for children – commonly called “boot camps” – in light of repeated allegations of child abuse and fraud at these programs in the United States and abroad.
Very little is currently known about the programs, which have sprung up all over the country since the early 1990’s and which Miller estimates now serve thousands of American children. Miller said today that Congress needs more information about these programs so it can monitor and regulate them effectively.
“Across the country and abroad, treatment facilities that in many cases appear to be unregulated, unlicensed, and unaccredited are enrolling thousands of American children. In countless cases, children have reported acts of physical and emotional abuse by staff members at these facilities,” said Miller, the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. “Yet Congress has nothing more than alarming anecdotal information about the true extent of this problem.
“There is no issue more serious than the health and safety of our children. Congress needs this information so it can act to keep children safe.”
In 2003, newspapers reported allegations of abuse at residential treatment programs operated by the Utah-based World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS), which now has facilities in the United States and Jamaica. Between 1996 and 2004, state, local, and international authorities shut down at least eight facilities operated by or affiliated with WWASPS, according to press reports.
In November 2003, Miller asked then-U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to investigate WWASPS for allegations of “child abuse, human rights violations, fraudulent and deceptive advertising, fraud and unjust enrichment under the Internal Revenue Code, and violations of other Federal civil or criminal laws.” Despite repeated requests from Miller for an investigation, the Justice Department never launched one.
In April 2005, Miller introduced legislation, H.R. 1738, intended to prevent child abuse at residential treatment facilities in the U.S. and abroad.
In August 2005, the Child Welfare League of America called for a GAO review of residential treatment programs.
The full text of Miller’s letter to the GAO is below.
***
December 21, 2005
Mr. David M. Walker, Comptroller General
Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20548
Dear Mr. Walker:
In my capacity as the Senior Democratic Member on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I am requesting a study by the GAO of residential treatment programs and the companies that own and operate them. This study is urgently needed because of allegations of child abuse, human rights violations, fraud, and other violations of law by companies that operate these facilities.
Since the early 1990’s, hundreds of these programs – sometime referred to as behavior modification facilities or boot camps – are believed to have been established by U.S. companies both within the U.S. and abroad. Thousands of American children are enrolled in these programs. The true size of the industry is not known; in 2004, the Chicago Tribune reported that “a trade association and other experts say the schools are a $1 billion to $1.2 billion industry that serves 10,000 to 14,000 school-age children.”
While there may be programs that provide high-quality services to help troubled adolescents get back on track, the long history of allegations against many residential treatment programs demands that Congress become more informed about the industry in order to prepare legislation to better regulate it.
For example, the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, or WWASPS, operates several behavior modification facilities in the United States and abroad. State, local, and international authorities closed at least eight WWASPS facilities between 1996 and 2004 for running afoul of the law. In 2004, Mexican authorities shut down a WWASPS facility in Ensenada, Mexico, called Casa by the Sea, for violations of immigration statutes, the improper distribution of pharmaceuticals, and indications of child abuse, according to The New York Times.
More recently, in May 2005, police in New York State were dispatched to the Academy at Ivy Ridge because of a riot during which 11 children fled the campus. In August, Ivy Ridge agreed to pay $1.65 million in refunds and fines because it had issued 113 diplomas even though it was not licensed or accredited to do so. John Sullivan, an assistant New York Attorney General, told Knight-Ridder that the case was “one of the largest educational fraud cases in New York state history.”
In order to help Congress get a full understanding of potential problems with residential treatment programs, I ask that you answer the following questions:
Overview of industry
* How many of these residential treatment companies and facilities exist in the United States? (These may also be referred to as behavior modification facilities or “therapeutic” or “specialty” boarding schools.) Which companies have the largest market share in the industry? How many facilities, operated by or affiliated with U.S. companies, exist outside of the United States? How many American children do these facilities serve? Please provide data about the demographic and economic backgrounds of these children.
* What forms of financing or financial support (i.e., loans, grants, scholarships, health insurance) are available to students and parents to pay for tuition, room and board at these residential treatment facilities? What role do foundations or other third parties, such as the C.S. Landre Foundation, play in providing funds for children to attend residential treatment facilities?
State regulations and industry standards
* Which states already have licensing or accreditation requirements for residential treatment facilities for children? Which states maintain safety, mental health, or educational standards for these programs? What are those standards, and how effective are they?
* What existing Federal laws, if any, help states in their efforts to monitor residential treatment facilities?
* What industry standards, if any, exist among residential treatment programs? Are there any trade organizations that represent the industry? What industry referral sources exist to help parents identify and select programs?
Allegations of fraud
* How many residential treatment programs are authorized and accredited to provide educational services and award diplomas? What evidence exists of residential treatment programs misleading and defrauding clients about their educational services and ability to award diplomas?
How do these programs and companies represent themselves to potential clients? For example, what advertising and marketing techniques do these companies and programs use to attract clients?
Allegations of abuse
* Please conduct a thorough review of allegations of human rights violations, child abuse, child sexual abuse, and other allegations of mistreatment of children. What evidence of physical or emotional abuse of children by employees of residential treatment programs exists? Which programs have been shut down based on findings of abuse or mistreatment of children?
Special tax treatment
* What special tax treatment, if any, do these residential treatment facilities receive?
* Do any of these residential treatment programs qualify as an institution such that the costs of tuition, meals, lodging and transportation are deductible medical expenses under the Internal Revenue Code?
* Do tuition and/or fees paid to residential treatment programs for some types of services constitute special education expenses and therefore qualify as deductible medical expenses under Internal Revenue Code laws and regulations?
Justice Department authority to conduct investigations
* What authority does the U.S. Justice Department have to conduct civil and criminal investigations of residential treatment programs?
If you have any questions about this request, please call Cheryl Johnson on my staff at (202) 225-5700. Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
GEORGE MILLER
Senior Democratic Member
Committee on Education & the Workforce[/i]
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Zen there has been infighting between advocates since the day I found fornits. There was infighting going on before then. Same old same old and nothing new.
Has Astart changed their flyer/handout, or does it still give tips on how to find a "safe" program?
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Zen, congrats to your step-daughter on her 18th. Thanks to you, she has no need for an Exit Plan. Keep giving 'em hell.
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Are the hearings happening still?
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Zen there has been infighting between advocates since the day I found fornits. There was infighting going on before then. Same old same old and nothing new.
Time for a summit, and Izzy ain't invited. I've heard she wasn't always a bottom-feeder, is that true? Doesn't change the present, though: she's a Scheff tool.
This sniping is like the Maoists killing each other over who was the real Red and who was the bourgeois poser. They were all godless Communists.
Quit fighting, this is not a good time. Shit, it's not like everyone has conflicting ideologies, it's cut and dry: Shut the shitholes down. Can everyone agree on that? Bitch at each other later, because the programees and NATSAP are going to present one hell of a unified front when they get a chance to spew and whine.
Has Astart changed their flyer/handout, or does it still give tips on how to find a "safe" program?
No more tips, just warning signs of abusive programs. Maia Szalavitz's book made a big impression on them. An A START member gave a copy of Maia's book to my step daughter a couple of weeks ago.
Apparently A START couldn't find a "safe" program as a model.
Zen, congrats to your step-daughter on her 18th. Thanks to you, she has no need for an Exit Plan. Keep giving 'em hell.
Thanks! I think she was disappointed when nothing "magic" happened at 12:00 a.m. last night. She also smirked at my bitter old man observation that turning 18 means you pay taxes, get to vote :rofl:, and you go to jail instead of detention hall.
But I'm really glad the fear of another not-exactly-legal parental abduction is gone. Our girl spent almost a year in hell while we worked to undo what that guy did in a few minutes with a bogus affidavit.
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Good for AStart. I'm glad to hear they have rejected their middle ground thinking as invalid.
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Congrats on the 18th birthday!!
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Ginger is the heart of all of this. No one else could keep a free-wheeling forum like Fornits running and still have it be the best source of program info available. Whether they admit it or not, the aforementioned advocates DO read Fornits. Some can't post for professional reasons, but they know where to find the pulse of what's going on with the industry.
Holy crap! She said that? I'm truly honored. I once thought of doing to A-START what I did to PURE. Just never had the time to stay involved enough to see it through so never started. Probably would have come out a whole lot differently.
Rock on, rock on!
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Ginger is the heart of all of this. No one else could keep a free-wheeling forum like Fornits running and still have it be the best source of program info available. Whether they admit it or not, the aforementioned advocates DO read Fornits. Some can't post for professional reasons, but they know where to find the pulse of what's going on with the industry.
Holy crap! She said that? I'm truly honored. I once thought of doing to A-START what I did to PURE. Just never had the time to stay involved enough to see it through so never started. Probably would have come out a whole lot differently.
Rock on, rock on!
Oh... That and more. At the Over The GW Premiere, Maia recommended Fornits! (which was followed by a "whoo-hoo" from ... several people in the audience ;) )