Anon,
You just cited a case in which regulations were useful. Unfortunately, it didn't save Andersen's life, but helped bring the truth to light.
Do you think those guys voluntarily installed those cameras? Some higher authority required it.
There has always been, and will always be hell holes for parents to send their kids to whether public, private, religious. ?Reform? homes, Psych hospitals, Military academies. It?s as ?American? as apple pie. Look at the history. It didn't start with the War on Drugs, although that did excellerate the industry. TBSs/EGSs are just the next iteration, with a trendy spin.
We are the most aggressive and violent 'civilized' country on the planet. We try children as adults and send them to adult prisons, and put people to death who have IQs below 50. What's a little torture to a 'pain-in-the-ass' kid? And Mr and Mrs John Doe approve cause it keeps them safe from the 'helluns'. And, I disagree, the average American still knows nothing about the industry. Take a survey in your community.
They aren?t going away. They'll never be shut down en masse. May's well remove that pipe dream from the equation. So what are we left with. The unfortunate reality is.....
Public Education- don?t underestimate the influence of sites like Fornits. Many actions have stemmed from relationships formed here. Documentaries. Tip journalists. Inform your entire sphere of influence.
On that topic and re: Trolls. Venting is good, but doesn't serve the cause. If a troll posts, avoid playing into the diversion they are attempting to creat. Post a link to information or a previous discussion on that topic or anything of relevance that a parent might need to know, and be done with it.
Advocating Regulations- as we know, don't provide assurance of safety and respect, but there are benefits, as stated before, and could provide some protection. If it saves one kids life, who's going to be there with or without regulations, it's worth it.
Advocacy isn't for the faint of heart. It's a never ending journey. A long-term commitment, sometimes with few rewards. You find the thing YOU feel is important and do it. It doesn't matter if anyone else approves. Change will come by attacking from all angles.
As for kids having rights and allowed a hearing before placement? not going to happen. The ICPC would ensure that they're evaluated and that it's been determined that services aren't available locally. It's not happening, as we know. Programs should be required to comply with the ICPC, even if it proves to only be a pain in the ass. A group of people could work on this alone. Contact the Secretariat for advice on what can be done. Inform ICPC of how many programs are operating in violation. Take one at a time. Government workers are easily overwhelmed. Like like 10 second sound bites.
I know some are opposed to regulation. But, it?s one tangible thing you can do. I don't know how much Federal regulation will help, but state regulation can be useful in the ways I expressed early. For instance, if every state adopted regs for TBSs like Utah now has, it would 'legally' limit the kinds of kids they could take. Utah has basically limited TBSs to glorified babysitters. If a child is seriously distressed, they must be placed in a 'more appropriate' setting (RTC) which has stricter regs.
http://wwf.fornits.com/viewtopic.php?t=19064Here's the section that defines what type of kid can and can not be admitted to a TBS.
i. A therapeutic school shall not admit or provide services to an individual who:
A. has a recent history (within the past 2 years) of attempting suicide or making serious self-harm gestures (requiring medical or therapeutic treatment),
B. has a psychosis, schizophrenia, severe depression, mental retardation, or a severe mental illness (requiring medical or therapeutic treatment),
C. is violent, highly combative, or physically or sexually aggressive,
D. presents substantial security risks,
E. requires medical detoxification,
F. lacks the ability to engage in a rational decision-making process or exhibits severely impaired judgment, or
G. has a history of repeated runaway attempts or incidents;
ii. A therapeutic school shall expel a client who exhibits high risk behavior or conditions, including but not limited to a client who:
A. attempts suicide or makes serious self-harm gestures (requiring medical or therapeutic treatment),
B. has a psychosis, schizophrenia, severe depression, mental retardation, or a severe mental illness (requiring medical or therapeutic treatment),
C. is violent, highly combative, or physically or sexually aggressive,
D. presents substantial security risks,
E. requires medical detoxification,
F. lacks the ability to engage in a rational decision-making process or exhibits severely impaired judgment,
G. runs away or attempts to runaway more than two times,
H. uses or attempts to use illegal substances (including but not limited to drugs or alcohol) more than two times, or
I. exhibits any other behavioral or emotional conditions that require more intense supervision and treatment than that permitted in a therapeutic school;
