Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy
ORS: Regulation
Deborah:
HLA is obviously opposed to being licensed by the state. The primary argument is that they are not an RTC. If I've read between the lines correctly it appears that they feel that the regs for RTCs are too restritictive for their TBS. I disagree, and have always felt the Ga regs for RTCs were lacking.
So, I think we should petition the governor (and anyone else in a position of power) to require ORS to create distinct regulations for TBSs, as Utah did. I didn't expect these regs to have much teeth, but they're actually pretty good. There are things I'd add, but overall, they're a damn site better than Ga's current regs for RTCs!!
In addition to the Core Rules for residential facilities:
http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code ... 501-02.htm
Utah TBSs must also comply with the Specific regs for "Therapeutic Schools" (new term)
http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code ... 501-15.htm
Now, if Utah would just enforce their regs!! But, anywhoo....
Given that NATSAP has a member on the Utah Licensing Board and assisted Ken Stettler (SB *cough) with creating them; HLA should be ameniable to following these, or similar, regulations. Right?
Ultimately, the effectiveness of regs depends on the state's willingness to enforce the regs, thoroughly inspect and sanction violations; otherwise they're useless. But at least they're there so the public can demand they be enforced when necessary. Licensing ensures that the state can immediately enter the property to investigate when a complaint is filed.
Many other benefits.
This section is relevant to the discussion of late re: inappropriate placements.
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;
~~
Isn't that great?
This clearly defines and limits the types of kids, and therefore the scope of services a TBS can provide.
Deborah:
Jeez, some people just can't be pleased. Give them their own special classification, designed with the help of a program owner and Industry Assoc (NATSAP) and they still balk!! Talk about your classic ODD !
http://www.nospank.net/pinto.htm
Private school doesn't like state's 'therapeutic' label
By Kirsten Stewart
The Salt Lake Tribune, April 29, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A private Utah school is fighting against state regulation, arguing it is not a "therapeutic" facility - which are covered by a new law that seeks to crack down on the state's thriving teen help industry.
Administrators at Whitmore Academy in Nephi say they run a boarding school, not a treatment facility catering to troubled teens. They are asking for an exemption to the new licensing category, which goes into effect on May 2.
But state Human Services licensing director Ken Stettler believes "they're hiding behind the moniker of a boarding school" to avoid state oversight.
"All the information they've provided to parents of kids there is they provide counseling for emotional growth and behavioral changes. They cater to kids who have failed in their settings at home," said Stettler.
The new law defines "therapeutic schools" as serving students "who have a history of failing to function at home or public school" and that offer "room and board and specialized structure or treatment related to a disability or emotional development."
Matt Sudweeks, who owns Whitmore with his wife, Cheryl, says he has gotten out of the teen-help business. Whitmore formerly also operated a residential treatment center. But Sudweeks surrendered the center's license last December after a student alleged he was physically and verbally abused at Whitmore.
Utah's Division of Child and Family Services substantiated eight counts of abuse and neglect. The facility is still under criminal investigation by the Juab County Attorney's Office.
Sudweeks was ordered to never again run a program in Juab. Anywhere else, is okey dokey. A civil suit has been filed. More in the Whitmore forum.
Whitmore's attorney, Matt Hilton in Kaysville, says the school - now enrolling 32 students, ages 12 to 17 - employs an educational counselor, but does not submit students to therapy.
Said Sudweeks, "We're licensed with state Board of Education as a boarding school. We cater to kids having trouble in public school system."
Stettler says Whitmore is the only one of five schools under review for regulation to balk at the new rules.
Could it be that the more abusive ones resist licensing?
Whitmore, located in a historic mansion on Nephi's Main Street, also was recently cited with numerous fire code violations.
Brent R. Halladay, assistant state fire marshal, says the school has until mid-May to update its automatic sprinkler and fire alarm systems, build a new set of stairs to provide more than one exit, install fire extinguishers and repair electrical problems. Halladay says the Sudweeks have "been very cooperative." But violations were such that, until they are corrected, Sudweeks is required to have someone keep fire watch over the building every day from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m.
Deborah:
It appears that ORS has ruled again to allow HLA to maintain their status as a Private Boarding School.
As such, they will be in violation of law if they:
*Assess a child?s needs in the areas of health, education, family relationships, personal and social development, psychological and personal development.
*Provide Service Planning or Casework Services
*Employ Behavior Modification- requires an assessment and service plan.
*Restrict communication or visitation with any persons- requires an assessment and service plan.
There is no agency to prohibit excessive or unreasonable work tasks, denial of meals/hydration/sleep/shelter, verbal abuse/ridicule/humiliation, restraints/corporal punishment; no agency to report this to. So, it?s up to the staff to report abuses, which is a requirement for Private Schools.
Rules for ?Private Schools?, not Private ?Boarding? Schools or Therapeutic Boarding Schools. http://www.ed.gov/pubs/RegPrivSchl/georgia.html
Goggle Georgia Boarding Schools and try to find HLA. While you?re looking, find a private boarding school that boards kid for only 18 months, restricts communication, denies home visits for 'therapeutic' reasons, and requires group therapy.
Should HLA be required to remove ?Therapeutic? from their website and all advertising? Is it fraudulent to advertise therapy when you don?t provide it?
HLA- Private Boarding School providing Academics and Behavior Alteration.
Deborah:
If you're moved to comment on ORSs ruling, the new Directors contact info:
Keith Bostick - Director ORS
kdbostick@dhr.state.ga.us
(404) 567-9001
RobertBruce:
Well I guess this explains why there is such a cash shortage there right now.
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