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Messages - Wildpony

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 27, 2004, 10:18:00 PM »
:wave:

 Wow, thanks everybody. I appreciate all the responses - especially the insight into educational consultants and their role as well as pathways  to follow with a variety of  lawsuits.
   I have limited time to respond to everyone at this point, but I appreciate the interest.
  While I agree I have just scratched the surface as someone pointed out, at least it was a scratch. Again, my interest is that because so many of these programs are Utah-based and generating controversy, perhaps they merit some ink in terms of what people are saying and what is happening generally in the teen help industry.
   Someone expressed concern using this forum to get at the truth because so many of the posts are negative. The forum, I believe, is simply a good way to gather information that can be verified and substantiated later on.
   I am no more anxious to put my neck in legal noose than my editors are.
  And the church connection, alas, comes up frequently by critics who claim Hinckley AKA the prophet  gets a fax daily on controversial stories and exercises prior restraint. Not so.
 Most of the staff on city desk - where I am assigned - don't even belong to the church.
  But I won't argue that battle here.
 Again, thanks everyone. I'm going to be away from the computer for a few days but I'll check in again Monday.

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 26, 2004, 03:12:00 AM »
As a postscript - Because I have CONSIDERED at least checking out these programs, and because they have come up through the course of my job, my interest is intense.

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 26, 2004, 03:06:00 AM »
Who said DHS in Utah was considering granting another license?
  Media reported the owners wanted to apply for another license, and Cedar City officials were opposed, as were the family of the victim.
  Sen. Tom Hatch, R-Panguitch, who was a staunch opponent of the licensing bill this last session is now calling for more oversight in light of the counselor's death.
   It may be posturing, but it is an ironic switch to a previous position.
   The truth is, licensed facilities with oversight from Utah - nursing homes to youth homes - probably frequently violate the rules because of inadequate staffing for onsite visits to make sure there is compliance. Point of fact: more than 10 years ago an assisted living center in Ogden for supposed ambulatory patients was putting wheelchair bound elderly on the second floor. Bad decision in the event of a fire.
   That does not equate to a conspiracy on the part of the state, but simply spells of a system underfunded without proper oversight that officials have to trust is running well.
  Perhaps that is what they do with Provo Canyon and every other facility here in Utah that locks up kids and does not ensure their safety.
  Utah is a haven for these programs for kids - hell, research the type of legislation active parental rights advocates wanted passed this last session to ensure adults were treated with deference in the system
 You tease me with a comment about educational consultants but don't go onto explain it. I am trying to be as educated as I can on this topic, but I need people who have obviously been immersed in it for years to be a bit more forthcoming about its faults amd attributes.
   Just last year, I was following Leavitt and bonding and the state's struggle with the red ink in the budget.
  The teen help industry reared up and slapped me in the face only last March with an obscure licensing bill. And yes, I have a 13 year-old who drives me nuts. Have I done my own research for personal reasons? You bet.

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 26, 2004, 02:13:00 AM »
:eek:
 So all of you are a bunch of paranoids because I refuse to identify myself. You bitch and bitch and bitch to each other on this website, questioning motives, while undermining your own.
 Well  here you are. Question mine. Check out the name Amy Joi Bryson on the Deseret News Website and see what I have done so far...some of it is on these threads.
   And Cherish, I am a SHE not A HE, and  merely was trying to keep a low profile while I collect information for a series of stories I plan to do this summer on the teen help industry, particularly how it relates to Utah, since it is so rampant here.
  And you can bash Ken Stettler all you want, but the ONLY reason I got onto this issue was while covering the legislature this past session and a simple little bill dealing with human services licensing failed to pass. When I called Ken about it, he said extreme lobbying  killed it because it would have roped Majestic Ranch under state scrutiny. I wondered why that would have been a bad thing and went from there with internet research. Do the archives research on our website.
  Like I said, I do not have an ax to grind, but I find it intriguing that a state such as ours that professes to love family and children is so ripe with an industry that so many others are accusing of being abusive.
  I do not discredit what Shane and the City Weekly may do, but check out who has been on this story the last four months and found the New York connection with Teen Escort and the alleged assault.
  And yes, we've already received one threatening letter from an attorney, but I am not deterred  in exploring the differing views associated with this industry and the controversy that exists.
  I found this forum by accident, found that it is helpful in what I am trying to learn (as well as many others) but I do not like my credibility called into question because I am trying to be cautious.
   I entered a log-in on this site simply to communicate because I felt there may have been some sincere postings. Since doing the first story on WWASPS and the related industry, I was bombarded with emailers who claimed abuse, wanted to know where to turn to help, phone calls, etc.
 It could have been easy to turn them into stories and run with it all without verification.
  It's not - unless you want to invite wrath and lawsuits and be someone's pawn.
 Everyone has a motive.
 I don't - other than to figure out someone else's  and be as fair and accurate as possible. Like I said before, I don't have an agenda - unlike many of you who, by the way, don't reveal their identity as well.
  Now you know mine.

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 25, 2004, 05:36:00 PM »
So Anonymous - What IS going on the sub cottage industry of educational consultants?

  And it won't fall into anyone's agenda by doing h an examination of litigation involving these programs or do you think it would?

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 25, 2004, 01:07:00 PM »
thanks anonymous. I emailed her yesterday and identified myself. Hopefully I will hear from her soon. I essentially  just need to know the timeline on this, the goal of how many signatures and at what point it will be presented to officials.
 :wave:

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 25, 2004, 01:01:00 PM »
Thanks for the understanding, darkhope. Who I am will readily be revealed through publication of stories in the next month or so - or sooner. Again, I don't have an agenda, but I have found this site to be useful in terms of providing information that can later be confirmed through researching court cases, etc., or active complaints. Has anyone heard if DCFS has been responsive at all to  any of the people who may have called with complaints - at the urging of some on this board?

  WWASPS has a case against a UPI reporter, which is strange because UPI is simply a shell of a news wire service at this point.
  Of course, there is the ongoing fight between them and PURE and plenty of rebuttal information about the stories  Tim with the New York Times wrote.  All of it is intended to have a chilling effect on the media - an effort to disuade investigation into alleged complaints of abuse, etc. I have to admit I don't know much about Provo Canyon School - other than it is just one of many of these treatment programs thriving in this state.
  The fact that WWASPS is Utah-based and has been the genesis of so much controversy merits an examination, hopefully something a bit more exhaustive than has been done thus far by any Utah media outlet.
 Feel free to email me anytime at writerwo@aol.com :wave:

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 24, 2004, 01:09:00 PM »
No - this is not Shane. I am not affiliated with that weekly. I found this site through an internet search some months ago. Who is to say anyone is real on this posting?
 I prefer not to disclose my identity at this point because of how suit-happy WWASPS can be - ie the defamation claim filed against the UPI reporter.
 I am not mining this board looking for crap against the organization because I have no ax to grind. I do, however, feel that since this is a Utah based organization, Utah media would do well to stay informed on what's going on out there regarding the program or its affiliates.
  The petition, therefore, struck my interest because it appears recent....

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 22, 2004, 05:28:00 PM »
I am trying to learn more about the group behind the petition to shut down Provo Canyon School. Does anyone know the organization?
By the way I am a writer doing research on this topic :wave:

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The Troubled Teen Industry / Petition to close the abusive Provo Canyon School is gaining
« on: May 22, 2004, 04:53:00 PM »
I am trying to learn more about the group behind the petition to shut down Provo Canyon School. Does anyone know the organization?
By the way I am a writer doing research on this topic :wave:

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