HLA Becomes the First TBS Required to Be Licensed/Regulated

[Troll Control]

Well, patience and persistence pay off, don't they?

This is just incredible news. HLA will become the first 'TBS' required by law to be licensed (read 'regulated') by the state.

I believe that this precedent, coupled with the ruling in NY regarding the Academy at Ivy Ridge (that a TBS is not in fact a school, but a 'behavior modification facility') set all the precedent necessary to go after these fraud factories one at a time, or even to attack their professional networking umbrella groups such as NATSAP.

This is a big, big day, folks. Let's not rest upon our laurels.

Now we need to make sure that HLA provides factual information to the licensing board and scuttle their application should they choose to 'stay the course' with fraudulent documentation provided to oversight officials.

One more time, for all the naysayers and for all of the deeply disturbed people who have fought tooth-and-nail to avoid the responsibility of providing proper research proven effective mental health care to our children: ::fuckoff::  ::both::    

One great thing about this ruling is that it will force out the hacks, quacks, and non-degreed, unlicensed staff. I would estimate that fully 90% of current HLA employees will not meet muster for professional requirements and will therefore be (ENFORCEABLY) legally barred from working with the kids.

HLA needs to find a way to attract and hire proper personnel or fold up and blow away. I'd give 10 to 1 odds on the latter. Any takers??


*note: this info is in the poll thread as well, but it needs to be it's own thread, so this one was initiated.

[hanzomon4]

Great news, what state is HLA in and will other facilities in that state have to be regulated?

[Troll Control]

Great news, what state is HLA in and will other facilities in that state have to be regulated?

HLA is in Georgia.  I expect that the licensing requirements will be rolled out to other 'TBS' or 'EG' facilities, but I believe we will need to bring specific details to ORS to get these facilities on the ORS radar.

Like I said, it's not time to sit back.  It's time to move forward with the new enforcement tools available.

What is critically important is that people need to know that these facilities, even the ones that are well-funded and connected, are not invulnerable.

The actions taken in regard to HLA can provide a template for anyone involved in activism/advocating to go after other facilities that are operating outside the law (which, near as I can tell, is all of them).

I will be speaking with media representatives this week to detail exactly how important this development is and will be drafting a new letter to Congressman George Miller expressing support for and hope for passage of the bill to End Institutional Child Abuse, which languished under the GOP-controlled congress for two years.  With proper public support, we can get this bill done and roll out federal regulation for programs to address states that refuse to regulate their 'teen help' industries.

Children are not commodities to be traded!

[Anonymous]

You do know that as a result of this HLA recently had 27 new enrollments.  This has increased the faith of consultants and families.  Turns out that what you people looked at being a negative for HLA has made them more money.

Great news, what state is HLA in and will other facilities in that state have to be regulated?

HLA is in Georgia.  I expect that the licensing requirements will be rolled out to other 'TBS' or 'EG' facilities, but I believe we will need to bring specific details to ORS to get these facilities on the ORS radar.

Like I said, it's not time to sit back.  It's time to move forward with the new enforcement tools available.

What is critically important is that people need to know that these facilities, even the ones that are well-funded and connected, are not invulnerable.

The actions taken in regard to HLA can provide a template for anyone involved in activism/advocating to go after other facilities that are operating outside the law (which, near as I can tell, is all of them).

I will be speaking with media representatives this week to detail exactly how important this development is and will be drafting a new letter to Congressman George Miller expressing support for and hope for passage of the bill to End Institutional Child Abuse, which languished under the GOP-controlled congress for two years.  With proper public support, we can get this bill done and roll out federal regulation for programs to address states that refuse to regulate their 'teen help' industries.

Children are not commodities to be traded!

[Anonymous]

You do know that as a result of this HLA recently had 27 new enrollments.  This has increased the faith of consultants and families.  Turns out that what you people looked at being a negative for HLA has made them more money.

Great news, what state is HLA in and will other facilities in that state have to be regulated?

HLA is in Georgia.  I expect that the licensing requirements will be rolled out to other 'TBS' or 'EG' facilities, but I believe we will need to bring specific details to ORS to get these facilities on the ORS radar.

Like I said, it's not time to sit back.  It's time to move forward with the new enforcement tools available.

What is critically important is that people need to know that these facilities, even the ones that are well-funded and connected, are not invulnerable.

The actions taken in regard to HLA can provide a template for anyone involved in activism/advocating to go after other facilities that are operating outside the law (which, near as I can tell, is all of them).

I will be speaking with media representatives this week to detail exactly how important this development is and will be drafting a new letter to Congressman George Miller expressing support for and hope for passage of the bill to End Institutional Child Abuse, which languished under the GOP-controlled congress for two years.  With proper public support, we can get this bill done and roll out federal regulation for programs to address states that refuse to regulate their 'teen help' industries.

Children are not commodities to be traded!

HLA needs to apply for a license and this does not mean that they are guaranteed to be granted a license. They must obtain the license in order to continue operating status quo.

[FLCLcowdude]

I wanna see this place shut down! I will not stand for them getting a license!

[Deborah]

You do know that as a result of this HLA recently had 27 new enrollments.  This has increased the faith of consultants and families.  Turns out that what you people looked at being a negative for HLA has made them more money.

I don't think you'll find anyone here who felt that HLA being licensed might be a negative for HLA. If they are granted a license, it can only be positive, particularly for those it effects most, the kids. All facilities that house kids 24/7 and provide services other than academics sh0uld be licensed. They may have finally chosen to operate legally, but to my knowledge, the license hasn't been issued yet. Are you confirming that they are indeed in the process of 'applying' to be licensed as a Residential Childcaring Facility?

If the Ed Cons were worth their salt, they would never have refered to an unlicensed facility to begin with. And how could their faith be increased/ restored in a facility that knowingly and deceptively operated outside the law for 12 years? Fact being, they're as crooked as the unlicensed facilities. Wonder how many parents sent their kid to HLA over the years and just assumed that given the services HLA provided, they would certainly be properly licensed and monitored by they state? How many school districts assumed the same? How many parents billed insurance or took tax deductions for their child's stay in an unlicensed facility? Would any of these entities feel the least bit defrauded?

Wonders never cease.... but, with any luck kids will be the safer for it. Provided they are granted a license, there will be an entity watching and keeping tabs on crucial information such as acts of violence, sexual assaults and inappropriate relationships, attempted suicides, violations of regulations, etc. Realistic stats are critical in determining efficacy, or lack thereof. Licensing will not have to bother with a court order to enter the property to investigate complaints and reports of abuse in the future.

[RobertBruce]

You do know that as a result of this HLA recently had 27 new enrollments. This has increased the faith of consultants and families. Turns out that what you people looked at being a negative for HLA has made them more money.

Bringing the grand total of kids currently enrolled to what 28...29? We realize that youre nothing more than an old pal of Big Brother who has been asked to add a bit more propoganda but honestly you people should try harder. We know more about what goes on in HLA than you do, remember the walls have ears.

[Anonymous]

Please tell me that none of you actually BELIEVE that HLA has had 27 enrollments since this announcement.

[Deborah]

Nah. Sounds like part of the PR campaign to boost confidence.
Anyone have a copy of the announcement HLA sent out? Must have sent something, if ECs and parents know of the new development?
No press release at ST.

[Troll Control]

You do know that as a result of this HLA recently had 27 new enrollments. This has increased the faith of consultants and families. Turns out that what you people looked at being a negative for HLA has made them more money.

Nonsense.  HLA is not making any money, period.

It is an incontrovertible fact that HLA is hemorrhaging financially.  This is very well documented and asserted by HLA itself in response to the lawsuit.

Nice try, though.  I give you 2.5/10 for trolling prowess.

[Anonymous]

You do know that as a result of this HLA recently had 27 new enrollments.  This has increased the faith of consultants and families.  Turns out that what you people looked at being a negative for HLA has made them more money.

Historians have documented that the members of the band aboard the Titanic played until they were literally swept into the freezing waters of the Atlantic. What instrument to you play? Reality check - the water should be at least waist deep, you may want to consider your other employment options. Keep in mind that every other mental health care provider in the area knows about HLA and may question why you stayed as long as you did.  

And the band plays on....

[Deborah]

You do know that as a result of this HLA recently had 27 new enrollments.  This has increased the faith of consultants and families.  Turns out that what you people looked at being a negative for HLA has made them more money.

While on the subject....
Do you happen to know if HLA will have to apply for a license to operate a "Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Program" as well? They meet the definition:

(d) "Drug abuse treatment and education program" or "program" means any system of treatment or therapeutic advice or counsel provided for the rehabilitation of drug dependent persons and shall include programs offered in residential and/or non-residential settings.

(c) Qualifications Requirement. In order to obtain or retain a license or provisional license, the administrator of the program and its employees must be qualified, as defined in these rules, to administer or work in a program. However, the department may require additional reasonable verification of the qualifications of the administrator and employees
either at the time of application for a license or provisional license or at any time during the license period whenever the department has reason to believe that an administrator or employee is not qualified under these rules to administer or work in a program.

290-4-2-.24 Special Programs.
Structured programs that do not fit into existing program classifications but meet the requirements of these rules will be licensed as Special Programs. These programs may be part of other licensed programs or may be individually licensed. Drug treatment criteria is not covered under the RCF/CCI regulations

[Anonymous]

Is the drug abuse center on the property that used to be Ridgecreek?  I heard after Ridgecreek was shut down in December the facility was slated to be used as some sort of "lock down" facility

[RobertBruce]

Ridge Creek shut down?