Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Troubled Teen Industry => Topic started by: Deborah on October 12, 2007, 03:19:24 PM
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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
julia@cfreer.com (http://mailto:julia@cfreer.com)
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.
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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.
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Hey Deb, don't forget ABC also ran a special on CFW a few days before Erica's parents decided to enroll her in that program. I don't know if they saw the program but CWF certainly got some good publicity out it. I think the media needs to stop focusing on the happy camper stories and start focusing on the fatalities, serious injuries, and inherent risk now that they have the findings of the GAO report to substantiate these abuses as FACT not speculation. It's one thing to do "balanced" reporting and another to promote these programs as more safe than unsafe, IMO, based on the inference that most children do make it out alive of these programs.
What's this about a third death at CWF?
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Erica died in May 02.
Another young woman died in Oct 02.
Corey Baines died in Mar 03.
The death in Oct was not reported. I have known about it and have it listed in my database because someone contacted me privately and informed me of it.
The third death was divulged in the hearing, which was the first public acknowledgement, so the GAO knows about it.
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What parent would read this "SPIN CONTROL" BLAME-the-child-and-Parent letter and even consider sending their child to this program?
This should have Congressman Miller asking, "What the hell....?" over and over; as he asked in the October 10th hearing.
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Why wasn't it reported? Parental privacy? Was there a lawsuit? I remember in the boys case the parents did not fault the program. Same as Ian August's adoptive mom IIRC. Some parents just don't see these fatalities as preventable. Go figure.
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By the way, couldn't agree more about the media reporting the truth. Utah DHS should be required to remove the pro-wilderness articles Carol Sisco wrote and posted at their website.
In Oct 02 after Ian August's death, Carol Sisco published two articles on the benefits of Wilderness Therapy to the Dept of Human Serices website.
http://hs.utah.gov/pdf/HT2002-3.pdf (http://hs.utah.gov/pdf/HT2002-3.pdf)
Now, who does she work for? Isn't that a conflict of interest? But then, the Utah TTI Mafia do what they want. They appear to be above the law or any measure of morality.
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I am not on the side of Freer here, it is unbelievable that with an actual death count they are still around, apparently thriving and in possession of the NATSAP seal of approval. Not to mention the fact that they have been recommended by overseas Govts.
BUT the fact that the girl was on a drug not specific to her medical condition alarms me. How often do doctors prescribe random drugs like that? it looks like kids are less people and more money making medical experiments for doctors as well as programs.
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I am not on the side of Freer here, it is unbelievable that with an actual death count they are still around, apparently thriving and in possession of the NATSAP seal of approval. Not to mention the fact that they have been recommended by overseas Govts.
BUT the fact that the girl was on a drug not specific to her medical condition alarms me. How often do doctors prescribe random drugs like that? it looks like kids are less people and more money making medical experiments for doctors as well as programs.
Off label prescriptions happen a lot. I know seizer drugs are used on foster kids along with powerful psychotropics. Maybe Deb can confirm this, but I believe kids in state care can be used in experiments without much advocacy for their protection on the part of the state.
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Now RedCliff
October 11, 2007
Wilderness Safety Protocols
As parents, educational consultants and lawmakers consider the role of therapeutic wilderness programs, RedCliff Ascent is pleased to provide the following information on our safety systems.
These protocols are standard operating procedures, most of which have been in place for years. Combined with therapeutic excellence, these systems make RedCliff the premiere youth wilderness experience.
We are licensed and regulated by the State of Utah Department of Human Services.
Our student to staff ratio is one to three, even lower than that required by law.
Our staff are certified in First Aid and CPR. Field staff are also certified in what is known as PCS - or Positive Control Systems.
All field staff must complete a rigorous one week in-field training camp and a three week internship prior to their employment. Training includes wilderness living skills. Field interns must complete the same curriculum as our students.
67% of our field staff are college graduates.
All staff are randomly drug tested and pass a background check prior to hire.
Upon intake, each student is drug tested and examined by a pediatrician.
Our medical director communicates with parents as often as needed to discuss specific health concerns for individual students or any health related conditions that may arise.
A registered nurse or emergency medical technician visits students in the field every 14 days to assess any health complaints or concerns. Students are weighed, blood pressure taken, and a general health assessment is completed.
Any medical or behavioral concerns are related to RedCliff headquarters daily.
The first three days of a student's enrollment at RedCliff are spent becoming acclimated to the altitude and environment with no strenuous physical activity.
Students are provided a 3,000 calorie diet each day which has been developed in consultation with a nutritionist. This diet includes whole grains, dehydrated and fresh vegetables, fruits, and a fruit and nut trail mix. In addition, students eat tuna fish, peanut butter, and cheese. Students are also offered a daily multi-vitamin and electrolytes when applicable.
RedCliff tracks each student's Body Mass Index (BMI) from the day they enter the program until graduation. On average, boys lose 7 pounds of fat and 2 pounds of muscle mass. Girls lose 9 pounds of fat and gain 6 pounds of muscle mass. Body composition data has been gathered for the last seven years.
Our Outpost facility offers field groups emergency shelter and food. The facility covers 168 acres in the center of our field operation. Outpost is always stocked with food, fresh water, blankets, and clothing. An on-site support staff is often just minutes away from responding to field groups.
Student apparel and sleeping bags are appropriate to weather conditions. Sleeping bags are exchanged three times yearly and range in temperature ratings from 20 degrees below zero to 20 degrees above. Students typically dress in several layers of clothing to provide protection from wet and cold. Hats and boots are worn throughout the year.
Field instructors remain in radio contact with RedCliff base at all times. Staff are required to call into headquarters at least three times each day using two-way radios. Instructors report location, staff or student needs, temperature and weather conditions, and any changes in itinerary. If two consecutive calls are missed a search is automatically initiated.
An Incident Review Committee, or IRC, meets weekly to discuss any safety concerns and make certain field staff are following operational protocols. Minutes of each meeting are recorded and filed.
All RedCliff clinicians are Ph.D. and Master's level therapists. They meet weekly with students in the field to assess student behaviors and provide the most effective therapeutic intervention possible.
All RedCliff Clinicians meet weekly to discuss their respective case loads as a treatment team. This allows therapists to collaborate with each other and provide consistent and reliable therapeutic interventions with each student.
The RedCliff experience is deliberately designed to address student weaknesses and provide an environment where they can develop strengths. It is also carefully coordinated to make certain each student is safe while undertaking what can become a life-changing journey.
For additional information please contact Steve Nadauld or Steve Schultz, (801) 491-2278.
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Redcliffe were notably silent on their history of using "pain compliance"
with kids who refuse to hike
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Core Solutions Takes Proactive Stand
Contact:
Randall Cook
Operations Manager
877-271-4427
www.corebb.com (http://www.corebb.com)
October 14, 2007
In light of the recent Congressional Hearing, Core Solutions is taking a proactive stand to work in alliance with Schools and Programs intent on being viewed as Family Friendly, transparent in its day-to-day operations, and working in concert with the parents they serve.
The follow-up Congressional Hearing is scheduled for February 2008. As an industry, we must prepare. There has never been a more critical time to further empower and rally the support of your families. Their voices need to be heard and their stories told. They are your strength, your strongest ally and are the evidence of your true and honest intent.
Some key areas of value that our Bulletin Board services will provide to your Program:
A private secured online Bulletin Board system customized specifically for your program, available 24/7; includes regular monitoring to preserve the integrity of your School's Community.
The Schools are viewed as running a transparent program; no shroud of secrecy.
Viewed as a Family Friendly program. Your Bulletin Board quickly enhances and expands the family component of your program, providing a way for your families to tightly team with you for the true intent of actual family healing, not just treating their child.
Each Board reflects the individual branding of that Facility, i.e.: colors, logo, feel and they develop their own Facility Culture.
The overall Board culture reinforces the need for following program guidelines, graduation, and family involvement in order to make the changes needed for when their child returns home and to support their child's changes.
We have a very reputable reference list that you are welcome to contact.
A private, secure online central location to post Parent Manuals, Photos, News Articles, Research, Training and Resource Information, up-to-date notices about the Facility, Staff, returning graduate visits, upcoming events, family weekends, graduations, and showcase accomplishments, academic info, etc.
Economical for the Facilities, as we handle the training, monitoring, registrations, invites, terminations, and technical issues 365 days a year, including 'after hours'.
Our streamlined proven Bulletin Board system eliminates the learning curve of getting an online Community going for the families, and helping a program make it work for them.
The Administration will gain solid feedback on the effectiveness and dependability about Staff and program outcome.
Be Prepared. A functional Bulletin Board is the quickest, most efficient and effective way to become part of the solution by having a communication system that will aid your program in being prepared in all areas for the upcoming Congressional Hearing.
There are two things that are here to stay: technology and parent's needs. However, due to the unique nature of our industry, it takes much more then technical know-how to make a Bulletin Board work effectively and productively for a program. It's not just about setting a system up. It's about how to make that system work in sync with the goals and vision of the program. How to create unity and teamwork. We know how to make your Bulletin Board Service help communication with your parents, so that it doesn't work against you. It's the combined background of the Core Solutions Team - our experience and dedication to the family healing industry - that marries the two successfully!
Recognizing every private entity in the family healing field has an obligation and responsibility to be part of the solution, Core Solutions is willing to be the first contributor by offering a rate reduction through November 20th, 2007. Contact admin@corebb.com for more information. We are intent on having those Schools in full operation prior to the next hearing so that the true message can be heard.
About Core Solutions:
Core Solutions is known for their successful, affordable private and secure online parent bulletin board service, customized for individual programs, Ed Consultant Groups and other professional organizations.
Who's Randall Cook / Core Solutions?
Randall Cook has applied his vast experience, intensity and insight to Core Solutions and as a result has created an unrivaled value for Core’s client Programs and Schools, and their incredible parents. In the years since graduating an adolescent residential program himself, he went on to work in various capacities in the private youth placement arena. Now being the proud husband and father of a wonderful young family himself, he has found great purpose in serving other parents and their families.
Struggling teens are not a new phenomena. However, it seems to be happening more often that a mother stands out in front of their yard talking as their neighbor scratches their head and says “you sent him where…for what…wow, he always seemed like a nice kid, would come over and wash the dishes after he ate.â€
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Hey, is this Randall Cook the same Randy Cook who is the son of Glenda Cook Ikuta, former WWASPS "The Source" Newsletter editor ? If so, he was in Paradise Cove, IIRC, and also, I think was once involved in the transport business.
If I am not mistaken, Glenda Cook, aka Glenda Gabriel is somehow associated with Dore Frances, the ed consultant.
Anybody know if this is the same guy?
FYI - most WWASPS parents will remember who Glenda - nee Cook - nee Ikuta - nee Gabriel is, I am sure but may not remember her son, Randy.
Steve Ikuta worked for WWASPS too, I think at CCM, but it's been a long time.
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As a matter of fact, Glenda Gabriel is the only other bio listed
Glenda Gabriel is a strong advocate for parent's rights and the parent-choice industry. In addition to being the mother of a program graduate, she's worked for many years developing vital parent support services for structured residential boarding schools.
Having at one time experienced her own child’s self-destructive behavior, she knows first hand the horrific roller coaster of emotions parents go through; helplessness and the loss of hope, fueled by guilt, shame and isolation. No matter how supportive and caring their personal support system, no one really understands what they’re going through.
Driven by a passion to make a difference, and understanding these parents unique needs, Glenda went on to create and introduce many innovative solutions for the parent-choice industry, that work with at-risk youth and their families. The results gave a venue and voice for more parent involvement. These solutions met the parent’s need for support, ‘tightened ranks’ with their child’s program, and encouraged personal ownership so that the entire family was working towards growth and healing. She also started parent support groups organized for parents of at-risk kids who were needing and/or already in treatment. Those groups rapidly multiplied and spread across the country. Her willingness to share her experiences, reasons to hope, and being an advocate for personal ownership, quickly made her a sought after speaker by parent groups, volunteer and humanitarian organizations, PTAs and school faculties, and programs and schools associated with the parent-choice industry.
Glenda points out that everyone has a stake in turning around the lives of kids with out-of-control behavior. Everyone benefits by a willingness to be part of the solution to stop the destruction, because our youth, and their families, are the very heart and foundation of our country. Their success ripples out and benefits us all.
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Yeh, Paradise Cove
http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives ... ews03.html (http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/1998/4/news03.html)
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Hey, is this Randall Cook the same Randy Cook who is the son of Glenda Cook Ikuta, former WWASPS "The Source" Newsletter editor ? If so, he was in Paradise Cove, IIRC, and also, I think was once involved in the transport business.
He also managed the WWASP bulletin board for a while.
If I am not mistaken, Glenda Cook, aka Glenda Gabriel is somehow associated with Dore Frances, the ed consultant.
Anybody know if this is the same guy?
The very same one. He called me on the phone a while ago, i recorded the call since it was legal to do so and I was expecting an educational consultant with the information he sent me. AFAIK, He also inadvertently gave me consent by saying "i assume you're recording this call" and continuing to talk. He explained a lot about this new BBS thing... Imo it's a bunch of industry BS and he's being used by the industry, probably lead around by his allegedly psycho bitch wwasp-cheerleader mom.
The BBS is like an online forum for parents. It's like struggling teens, but secret. He designed his software (CoreBB) with the help of a PphBB developer. Supposedly it's secure but as far as I understood it's really his first coding project. Anyway... He sells this software only to "good" programs he says, although he did describe Ken Kay as a "great guy" (hence, I really need to question his judgment on that particular issue).
At the time he talked to me, I didn't know he was a survivor until he mentioned Paradise Cove... Then I understood. I didn't expect his BBS to get any customers but so far it looks like they have a bunch. I should probably talk to him. I know he reads Fornits...
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Is this CORE BB used by former WWASPS parents? Do they have any ties to CAICA or PURE?
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Like any other BBS, "his" BBS (I'm curious what open-source project he ripped off to start making it) is vulnerable to social engineering and piss-poor password choice.
Attention parents leaving WWASPS programs: Right before you pull your kid, copypaste everything you can find on the BBS to Fornits. We appreciate it.
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Is this CORE BB used by former WWASPS parents? Do they have any ties to CAICA or PURE?
He mentioned he knew Sue Scheff, yes. What else he knew about her is anybody's guess.
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Like any other BBS, "his" BBS (I'm curious what open-source project he ripped off to start making it) is vulnerable to social engineering and piss-poor password choice.
See my long post on the matter. A PhpBB developer helped him build it.
Attention parents leaving WWASPS programs: Right before you pull your kid, copypaste everything you can find on the BBS to Fornits. We appreciate it.
Redact names, of course, but keep originals.
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Now Aspiro........They're all using the same template.
Aspiro Letter To Parents
Contact:
Randy Oakley
801 859 2066
roakley@aspiroadventure.com (http://mailto:roakley@aspiroadventure.com)
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In some ways this is encouraging. Obviously they saw the dressing down NATSAP got and are shitscared. Surely if anyone who has at any point been associated with the Mac Daddy of abusive programs that is Paradise Cove tries to present themsleves at one of these hearing as one of the "safe options" they will be hauled over the coals in the same way that NATSAP was.
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There are several things about the hearings and the school replies, like Oakley's for Aspiro, that are alarming.
* The reassuring letter to parents from Oakley/Aspiro is pretty effective. How would any parent know that these are hollow promises? With such a closed and isolated system, who could prove them wrong?
* The emphasis on accreditation and licensing gives false reassurance to parents. In another recent post on fornits, "a parent" asks about enrolling her son in VisionQuest, and says,
According to what I've read VisionQuest is JACHO approved, and has been studied by the Rand Corp and University of PA and found effective.
"JCAHO approved"--that is her genuine perception. She is unaware that JCAHO "accreditation" (not "approval") means things like the staff checks 2 IDs before administering meds, that the staff agrees on acronyms and abbreviations in written records, and that they wash their hands.
Have a look. Here are the "Safety Goals" that JCAHO accredits for VisionQuest:
http://http://www.qualitycheck.org/QualityReport.aspx?hcoid=418103&x=npsg&program=Behavioral%20Health%20Care
I'll all in favor of handwashing, but fawgawdssake, JCAHO accreditation tells you nothing about the facility's ability to handle a teen with a traumatic and violent past. Yet it is heavily implied.
Remedies under the law (such as are being considered by the House Commmittee on Education and Labor) could help if they were to pry open these facilities to the light of day--open records (student confidentiality preserved), open visitation policies, open communication between students and families, facilities required to report incidents of abuse/restraint/violence/accidents, and the like.
I support the calls on fornits for a cultural sea change to end "zero tolerance" and seeking Quick Fix Happy Meals for parents with troubled teens, but I must be too old and jaded. I'll take laws with teeth in them while we work concurrently on shifting the cultural norms.
AuntieEm
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Say, Auntie Em - you aren't the same person who was posting on CAFETY as Aunt Bea, are you? That was some savage bad craziness and heated debate. Glad I wasn't involved in that bin'ness.
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No, completely different Auntie. No relationship at all to "Aunt Bea."
I'm here in "Kansas" just waiting for my niece to return.
AuntieEm
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CFW continues to defend.... splitting hairs with the GAO investigator.....
October 19, 2007
Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director
Forensic Audits and Special Investigations
U. S. Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20548
Dear Mr. Kutz:
I am writing to you to express serious concerns regarding the inaccuracies and misrepresentation of facts as noted in your testimony GAO-08-146T – “Residential Treatment Programs: Concerns Regarding Abuse and Death in Certain Programs for Troubled Youthâ€
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From Aug 1991. This should shed some light.........
Catherine Freer Wilderness Survival School
Albany, Oregon
(503) 967-8722
Director: Robert Cooley, Ph.D
This short-term, wilderness based school has been running for three years, owned by Oregon River Expeditions, Inc. It is a 21 day, outward Bound based approach, and its $3,420 tuition makes it one of the least expensive programs of its type. Director and Founder Rob Cooley, a clinical psychologist, tells me it is licensed as a residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment program which helps a high percentage of clients collect insurance for the tuition, especially Oregon residents.
The following is taken from their literature, "Helping Adolescents Achieve their Potential."
"Our modern society is so complex that our children often are truly unaware that society is based on a underlying fabric of honesty, responsibility, reliability, hard work and mutual cooperation. They see people who fail to adhere to these virtues doing very well for themselves; they have experienced that their own failure to follow these principles may result in short-term gains and that nothing collapses. Society goes on, and the students are not expelled from school (or they are, but fail to see the long-term consequences of that), they do not go hungry or suffer from exposure, they usually do not have to deal with the anger of close comrades who depend on their performance. A not unreasonable conclusion is that one's behavior is unimportant to the larger community, and even has little effect on the course of one's own life.
Living in a small group under natural primitive conditions soon brings a change in perception: if I don't cook I don't eat; if we don't all hike well, we don't get to the next food drop on schedule and go on short rations for a day or two; if we don't attend carefully to demonstrations on edible plants, a constant diet of lentils and rice gets pretty dull; if we don't help each other with camping and setting up shelters, a wet, cold night shivering by the fire may result. And in the outdoors, these consequences are meted out not by some authority figure of questionable motives and fairness, defending an abstract, and to an adolescent, often rather senseless set of social 'rules;' but rather by Nature herself, in her simple, direct, impersonal, unarguable way: pay attention, take care, work hard, cooperate, or suffer cold, heat exhaustion, hunger, a sleepless night.
Uh.... does "Nature" place the food drops?
We believe that extended periods of wilderness living in small groups can be a treatment-enhancing addition for most adolescent programs and will become standard within a few years. Wilderness living provides a naturally healing environment, the physical activity and health that are especially important to adolescents, the best available means to promote self-exploration and self-esteem, and a setting where the meaning of daily work, play and relationships, as well as life's larger spiritual issues, are naturally occurring issues."
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Remember what I said earlier about the temperature, water consumption, and altitude changing with each interview or press release?
Here's one from 2002 re: Erica's death. Note that Smith told the GAO that the group had only hiked 2 miles and she had drank 1.5 liters of water (6 cups).
Press Release
Catherine Freer Wilderness Expeditions
June 21, 2002
A fifteen year old girl participating in the Catherine Freer of Nevada program collapsed suddenly in the late afternoon of May 27th and was evacuated by helicopter to the hospital in Fallon. The girl, along with a group of other teenagers and 3 program staff had just begun the backpacking portion of their program that morning. After hiking approximately 3 miles they arrived at their campsite. The group set up camp and they were in the process of returning to the campsite, after filling up water containers, when the young woman collapsed. Program staff called in, on satellite phone with global positioning system coordinates, for evacuation assistance. The program staff performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until the arrival of the search and rescue ground crew and helicopter. The girl was pronounced dead by medical personnel upon arrival at the hospital. The incident occurred near the Arc Dome Wilderness area. A definitive reason for the collapse is not known at this time. The initial coroner’s statement is that there is no observable cause of death. The inquiry will be pending until results of the toxicology and pathology reports are complete. The participant had a physical examination prior to starting in the program and had been cleared for participation in the trip. The Catherine Freer program extends it deepest sympathy to the girl’s family.
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So.... given Nevada regs (24 cups).... she was give 6 cups of water, but should've had continuous access to 14-15 cups.
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Bump
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http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3711160 (http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3711160)
I don't know how to insert the video for direct play here.
This report talks about Catherine Freer.
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And Second Nature spins their defense, from Earthtime.org
DUCHESNE, Utah, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to an at-risk adolescent treatment facility and therapeutic wilderness program, one specific quality is key, an exceptional safety record. Not only does Second Nature Wilderness Program have an outstanding safety record, but also it is one of the first wilderness programs in the nation to stand with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in support of increasing government regulation to ensure the safe and effective treatment of at-risk adolescents in therapeutic wilderness programs. :rofl:
"Wilderness therapy is a treatment modality, utilizing proven clinical practices in the backdrop of primitive-living metaphors. Recent and tragic stories have highlighted the need for strong oversight and support for safety, which must be at the foundation of any treatment," said Brad Reedy, Ph.D., Second Nature Wilderness Program clinical director. "Family involvement and collaboration with The Department of Professional Licensing for Outdoor Programs are critical components of Second Nature's heritage."
Huh?? Anyone ever heard of the DPLOP? I can't find a thing on google. Is this one they just made up? Sounds impressive, doesn't it?
Second Nature Wilderness Program has been in operation for over nine years and treats more than 1,000 at-risk students and families each year. All Second Nature programs are licensed by state governmental agencies that perform on-site inspections, which include client interviews through both announced and unannounced inspections.
50 some kids have died in Outdoor Therapy. Many were licensed and "inspected" annually. Parents should request inspection reports for any program they are considering.
According to Reedy, every Second Nature Wilderness Program group has at least one staff trained as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and multiple forms of communication are maintained so groups can contact an administrative or medical staff member 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Alumnus and families attribute Second Nature with saving lives, reuniting families, rescuing children and their parents from deadly addiction and crippling mental illness. All of this is done with respect, love, connection and safety," said Cheryl Kehl, LCSW, Second Nature Wilderness executive director.
Crippling mental illness. Give me a f'in break.
Founded in Utah, Second Nature Wilderness Program is one of the many clinically driven outdoor therapy programs that support a movement towards government oversight of safe policy in adolescent out-of-home treatment. To learn more about the history or licensing requirements of a Second Nature Wilderness Program or other treatment program, contact the state licensing office and ask for a full disclosure of the program's history.
CONTACT: Melinda Meier
FUEL Marketing
801.484.2888
Melinda@fuel-marketing.com
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Stand with the GAO as opposed to what, rejecting their findings that some kids don't survive their therapy in the wild no matter how tight the rules and regulations?
Wilderness therapy should be banned for the obvious reason that it has failed miserably to prove it is a safe and effective treatment modality.
We ban car seats that are defective but allow kids to be dragged into the wilderness by people who call themselves Teen Whisperers?
You can't claim to save thousands of kids at the expense of one, 10 or 50 other kids who had they not participated in a wilderness therapy program would not have lost their lives.
It's really just that simple. My advice is to ask any congress rep if they would be willing to roll the dice with their child's life by enrolling them in a WT program.
:roll:
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My advice is to ask any congress rep if they would be willing to roll the dice with their child's life by enrolling them in a WT program.
:roll:
Considering how many of them voted for the Iraq war, or against health or food insurance for poor kids....I don’t think relying on their empathy will get us too far
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Our congress has proven itself to be a do-nothing bunch of fucking idiots who took the 06 election and ran with it... and then tripped and fell face first into their victory cake on a platter.
Regulation? That would require competence in our government! Where is there any? We STILL haven't fixed New Orleans and our idiot in chief has alienated the entire nation from the entire world.
We need a complete overhaul of our government, Period! I can only hope during a session of congress an asteroid lands on the capitol.
:roll:
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Is Freer, the one that barbera walters partially owns?
What bigger group owns this
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Very few LINKS to quoted material in this thread. I don't have time right now to research everyone's contributions, but here is a link to the OP:
Breaking News · Posted: Oct 11, 2007
Catherine Freer
Albany, OR
Catherine Freer Responds To House Hearings (http://http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/CatherineFreerHouseHearingsPR_071011.shtml)
Media Contact:
Paul Smith
800-390-3983
julia@cfreer.com (http://mailto:julia@cfreer.com)
October 11, 2007
Copyright ©2010, Woodbury Reports, Inc. All Rights Reserved.[/list]
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An update on Paul Smith, formerly program director of Catherine Freer Wilderness:
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Breaking News · Posted: Mar 6, 2010
Catherine Freer Wilderness
Albany, OR
Catherine Freer Recognizes Paul Smith (http://http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/publish/CatherineFreerBN_100306.shtml)
Contact:
Julia Andrick
Media Relations
208-265-8355
http://www.cfreer.com (http://www.cfreer.com)
After 22 years of outstanding service to the Catherine Freer Program, Paul Smith has chosen to resign as Program Director in order to pursue new endeavors. During his tenure at Freer, Paul was instrumental in shaping our organization into what it is today. We applaud him for his leadership, expertise, creativity, level-headed decision making and his dedication to our mission.
We would also like to acknowledge Paul's many contributions to our industry on both a national and state level. He was actively involved in the creation of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council (OBHIC), he held the position of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Board President, and he served on the Joint Commission of Accredited Healthcare Organization's (JCAHO) professional technical advisory committee. He continues to serve on the Association for Experimental Education's (AEE) accreditation council. Paul should also be commended for his role in the formation of the Oregon State Outdoor Youth Program Board. His contributions will positively impact our industry for years to come.
Wilderness Program Director Kirk Shimeall, MBA, will now fill the role of Program Director. Kirk began working at Freer as a wilderness guide in 1992 and has worked as the wilderness program manager since 1996. He has 18 years of experience with our organization and is nationally recognized for his risk-management expertise, currently serving as the chair of the OBHIC risk management committee. Executive Director Rob Cooley, Ph.D. will continue to provide the organization with vision and clinical expertise.
We will all miss Paul, he was both a friend and a colleague, and we are thankful for his many gifts to Freer and to our industry. We wish him all the best and will miss his contributions to our program.
Copyright ©2010, Woodbury Reports, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Paul Smith's views on what Catherine Freer Wilderness actually does, from the 1999 research paper "Wilderness Therapy as an Intervention and Treatment for Adolescents with Behavioral Problems (http://http://www.strugglingteens.com/opinion/wildernesstherapy.html)," correctly filed under "Opinion" by Lon Woodbury:
Wilderness therapy is being increasingly used as a last resort intervention for adolescents who are in serious trouble due to alcohol and drug use, sexual promiscuity, trouble with the law, and intense parental conflict. Phone calls of inquiry taken by admissions personnel commonly deal with parents who are in crisis, and in many cases, literally fear for the adolescent's life. As a director of one program put it, "in many cases, we are literally reaching under water and grabbing the hand of a drowning victim" (Paul Smith, personal communication, August 1998). Thus, a high proportion of wilderness therapy admissions occur with a great sense of urgency to intervene before the adolescent self destructs or moves into more serious problem behaviors as an adult.[/list]
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According to Strugglingteens they will close down this year because the owner wants to retire (or in other word taking his money and run as fast as he can before he is being sued his pants off).
I found a blog entry where someone is writing the last words about this program: After 3 deaths a wilderness program closed (Link to the blog of a certain Joachim Knudtson) (http://http://joachimkrudtson.tumblr.com/day/2012/06/19)
The Wiki datasheet (http://http://wiki.fornits.com/index.php?title=Catherine_Freer_Wilderness_Program) will be updated
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:bump:
According to Strugglingteens they will close down this year because the owner wants to retire (or in other word taking his money and run as fast as he can before he is being sued his pants off).
I found a blog entry where someone is writing the last words about this program: After 3 deaths a wilderness program closed (Link to the blog of a certain Joachim Knudtson) (http://http://joachimkrudtson.tumblr.com/day/2012/06/19)
The Wiki datasheet (http://http://wiki.fornits.com/index.php?title=Catherine_Freer_Wilderness_Program) will be updated
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Wilderness therapy school closes abruptly (http://http://democratherald.com/news/local/wilderness-therapy-school-closes-abruptly/article_07a54878-c8af-11e1-8ac5-0019bb2963f4.html)
Albany Democrat Herald, By Jennifer Moody, July 8 - 2012
SCIO — The Catherine Freer Wilderness Program abruptly closed last month, along with its Scio-based therapy school, Santiam Crossing.
The school closure decision came with about a week’s notice to parents of teens enrolled in the programs, leaving at least one wondering when, or if, she’ll get her money back.
“There’s been no contact with them. They don’t answer emails, they don’t answer phone calls,” said the parent, a mid-valley resident who asked not to be identified because of her child’s medical situation. “They owe me over $21,000.”
Rob Cooley, founder and president of the Catherine Freer program, said in a brief phone interview that the ongoing recession forced the closure decisions. He said a financial plan is being “worked on” but said he couldn’t say how, or if, payments would be made to families with unfulfilled treatment obligations.
“The board has the ultimate authority about that,” he said.
A June 12 press release on the Catherine Freer website announces both Cooley’s retirement and the closure of the Albany-based wilderness therapy business, which was separate from Santiam Crossing. That program shut down June 25.
In the press release, Cooley said fewer insurance companies now pay for the program, and the struggling economy made it hard to find families who could afford it without their help.
The closure decision “was a difficult one, but fiscally, it was the right one,” Cooley wrote.
The press release stated the therapeutic boarding school would remain open, which was the plan at the time, Cooley said. The website message has not yet been changed.
Cooley said in the phone interview that the Santiam Crossing decision came later, although he was unsure of the exact date. The school sent students home on July 3.
He said there were multiple issues that he was not prepared to talk about at the moment, adding, “The primary thing was the recession.”
Cooley said the program was not involved in any lawsuits, and a public records search turned up no reports of any filings.
The county assessor’s office indicates Cooley’s business, Mountain Glen Wilderness LLC, which owns the Santiam Crossing property, currently owes $3,055 in taxes and interest for 2011.
The property, Cooley said, “belongs to the bank, you know. We haven’t done an appraisal yet, chances are it’s not quite enough to pay off all the loans.”
Sheriff Tim Mueller said his office responded to a handful of runaway reports from the program, but has had no major investigations there.
Sixteen youths were displaced by the therapy school’s closure, Cooley said, some of whom had recently joined. He said some of the management staff are continuing to work at both the school and the wilderness program, to wrap things up.
The mid-valley parent said her child had not yet completed the program and she was wondering what would happen to parents’ last month’s deposits.
She said she was told in an email on June 28 that she’d get a letter from Cooley about financial issues, but she has received no communication since. Nor has she received any referrals for new placement or continued treatment.
“So here are these kids, in a therapuetic program, and some of these kids have serious mental health problems and they (families) are just scrambling,” the parent said. “I have no clue what’s happening now. They are shut down and they’re not communicating.”
Cooley founded Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Expeditions in 1988, in memory of Freer, a longtime friend and elite mountain climber who perished with her climbing partner the year before.
The program combined wilderness settings with behavior management therapy delivered by licensed counselors to help combat both drug and behavioral problems. It started with multiple-week wilderness treks, and in 2004 grew to include the outdoor therapeutic boarding school known as Santiam Crossing.
The 157-acre campus east of Scio housed girls and boys ages 14 to 18 in canvas-walled tents. Schooling took place in a yurt. Teens were eligible to attend only if they’d first completed a wilderness trek.
Janet Selby of Philomath brought her son, Mark, to the Catherine Freer program in December 2005. She was looking for a way to help him break down the walls he’d built through anger and drug abuse after his father died.
Mark did three wilderness treks before transferring to Santiam Crossing, Selby said. He learned self-sufficiency and coping skills, and to open up to others about his pain. The experience totally transformed Mark, she said.
The family had three good years together before Mark was killed in a car accident in November 2010. In his memory, Selby established a scholarship to send other Philomath youths in need to Santiam Crossing. She said she’s not sure yet what will happen to that fund, which is being administered by the Philomath Community Foundation.
“I’m sorry. I can’t believe it. What an amazing announcement,” Selby said of the closure. “I’m saddened.”
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Comment made to the article in Albany Democrat-Herald:
I worked at Freer and then, Santiam Crossing, for 10 years and left, as the Director of Santiam Crossing School, in November of 2010 after what was, in spite of its challenges, one of the best jobs I am sure I will ever have. Mr. Cooley and the rest of the people who have been involved in fostering his original vision have contributed much to the lives and families of thousands of former clients.
I left after a board decision to reorganize the school's major operations was intentionally kept secret from myself and other school leadership. These decisions included hiring an assistant director with no feedback or interview process by the school and remotely outsourcing the financial management of the school to a Utah based consulting firm (which meant firing a very competent Albany woman who had served as our Chief Financial Officer).
The only reason given for keeping the plan and decsion secret from school employees and leadership was that the board was concerned it would not be recieved well.
During that year the school's leadership and employees had successfully navigated the same recession referred to in the article interview with a series of cost control measures. These included significant long term pay cuts that were scaled up for those in management and leadership positions. These sacrifices helped us to keep everyone employed through the most challenging parts of the recession and eventually turn around the school's financial position.
The School became profitable for the first time in its 6 year history in the Spring of 2010 and we were able to pay back all cut wages to the many employees who had stuck with it. Ironically, the month that the board implemented its reorganization plan was the most profitable month in the history of the school and the school's line of credit had been paid down to 0 from $100K for approximately 9 months. (The DH could interview former employees and, presumably, Citizens bank, to corroborate the claims made here regarding pay cut refunding and the history of the credit limit).
Mr. Cooley was the president of the board at both programs and, though myself and others had lobbied for creation of a more traditional board structure, the board had continued to consist of his family members and current and former employess. After a disagreement about decision making processes lead to the departure of the main minority partner of CFWTP in 2009 (after 21 years partnership) there was little balance left and the level and quality of organizational communication changed.
Like many of the parents spoken about in the story I, even as director, was not able to get valuable communication from the Board. In my first two years working as Director I was not invited to nor did I know of any meetings of the board and I was given no formal feedback on the school's administration and progress. This was in spite of being recruited to take the position by Mr. Cooley himself. Only once the school became profitable did the board's activity increase. This lead, within the space of 5 months, to the aforementioned plan to secretly re-organize the way finances were controlled.
At least two board members (who were also company employees) told me at the time that they were unhappy with the decisions and process but felt unable to do anything contrary to Mr. Cooley's wishes. One of these members resigned from the board during the process and eventually left the company.
Along with the financial limbo described for current client families former employees have had retirement accounts put at risk through documented negligence of Mr. Cooley in managing those programs. I was disappointed for myself and the school when I left and am saddened by what I view as the entirely unneccessary loss (through mismanagement) of a genuinely amazing service and dynamic part of the local business community.
The work and people I was involved with there stands out for me personally and I don't imagine ever doing something I enjoy more. In spite of the difficulties described above there was tremendously valuable work done; by staff, by the teenagers who attended and by families. Many folks have taken the inspiration they gathered from Freer and Santiam to build new resources that have and will continue to form the ways we connect with and guide young people.
Sincerely
Daniel Coyle
Former Program Supervisor at Catherine Freer Program
Former Director of Santiam Crossing School
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Here is an interesting project that is shedding light on the issues w/ reformatory schools through film. Check it out and please pass on the link if it's something that you guys connected with.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/138 (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/138) ... radise-bay
cheers!