According to Tipton Academy's Admissions Director Bonnie Brummer; Sue Scheff's PURE refers children to Tipton Academy in Tipton, Kansas, an all-boys facility owned by Ex-WWASP Teen Help employee, Kevin Richey.
She said that Kevin Richey lives across the street from the Academy.
Richey also receives referrals from TEEN OPTIONS, according to Brummer.
www.teenoptions.comBrummer reports that Marie Peart recently made a trip to Tipton Academy on behalf of PURE; and Peart reportedly also visited the nearby all-girls facility, Meadowlark Academy;
also owned by Kevin Richey.Richey converted the Tipton school building; which he purchased from realtor, Dave Rose - who sells vacated school buildings on E-Bay.
http://www.mweservices.com/website/news/tiptonstory.htmSue Scheff and Kevin Richey's WWASP connection can be read in the WWASP vs PURE transcripts.
Page 164 of the Transcript:
Scheff testifies that the website Helpyourteens.com was started in February 2001.
Page 165 of the Transcript:
Scheff testifies that the name of her referral company was changed from Parents Universal Referral Agency to PURE: Parents Universal Resource Experts.
Kevin Richey gives his testimony on pages 217-226
Richey testifies that he left WWASP Teen Help in December 2001.
He also testifies that Sue Scheff continued to refer children to WWASP facilities through August 2001 -- several months
after she started her own referral company, PURE.
Richey also testified that he had no formal training in psychology, the juvenile justice system, or the medical field; to qualify him in making referrals to WWASP facilities.
Tipton Academy's website states that this facility is a NON-THERAPEUTIC program. Any psychological therapy must be contracted by the parents, and paid separately from the monthly tuition charged.
www.tiptonacademy.com/The fees quoted were:
$6,995.00 for the first month - which included start up fees, assessment, uniforms.
$3,995.00 Monthly tuition thereafter
The program offers Positive Peer Culture: and a 12 Step NA/AA Program
The program offers CANINE Therapy; but the boys must earn the "privilege" to be a part of this program.
Upon admission, the boys' heads are shaven.
Activities include: A weight room, 2 movies per week, on site, air hockey, ping pong. Participation depends on behavior and level attainment.
Tipton Academy offers a "Transitiion Program" for students who do not do well when they return home; and who need to return to Tipton Academy for additional services.
Tipton Academy offers a Parent On-line Discussion Forum; CORE BB; CORE SOLUTIONS: parents from both Tipton Academy and Meadowlark Academy can particpate.
Tipton Academy highly encourages parents to participate in their SEMINIARS -- which are held quarterly at the Embassy Suites in Kansas City Kansas.
Both the Discussion Forum and Seminars are run by Randy Cook and his mother, Glenda.(Former WWASP)
The Tipton Academy Enrollment Agreement:
Phone calls, mail, and emails are monitored by Staff.
PROGRAM END Section: If parents mention if/when the student will be coming home - the program can immediately send the boy home.
JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT PROCEEDINGS: Will take place in Utah. (The facility is located in Kansas. Why would legal jurisdiction be in Utah?)
Parents are asked to sign and agree to "Observation Status" and "Restraints" of students.
Tipton Academy recommended a Teen Escort Service - who called; and explained the "escorting process and quoted a fee."
One of the "transition students" has worked as an assistant with this escorter, Bill Whitaker.
The Admissions Director gave 6 References who sons had attended Tipton Academy; and two References, whose sons were currently enrolled. The references had overall positive comments about the program.
Three parents said their sons had been restrained - but felt assured the staff were properly trained to restrain students. One parent complained about the "dog smell" throughout the facility. Two parents complained about the on-line academics - but said "academics were not their top priority for enrolling their sons." One parent, who returned her son to the Transition Program --because her son relasped into drug use, said, "it was not Tipton Academy's fault, because there is no CURE for addicts."
Two other programs have opened in small Kansas towns by former program operators from Utah. Kevin Richey is from St. George, Utah.
It is also of interest that these owners also purchased vacant schools off E-Bay from the samerealtor used by Kevin Richey, Dave Rose.
These other programs in Kansa will be discussed under the topic:
"Utah Program Owners Opening Programs in Kansas"
