Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS)
Brightway Adolescent Hospital
flyboy27:
The facility that was Brightway Adolescent Hospital is now a residential treatment center called Eagle Ranch Academy.... http://http://www.eagleranchacademy.com At a quick glance I can see no connection to WWASP.
The 2 founders are Paul Arslanian and Dave Arslanian who are both former (high school?) football coaches. While both of them appear to have degrees they are not exactly true mental health degrees. Paul has a BS in Special Education and a Masters in Public Administration. Dave has a BS in HPER (Health, Physical Education and Recreation) with a focus in psychology and a Masters in HPER. At least the program director, Kelly Miller, has a mental health background with a BA degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Psychology.
Many of the direct care staff were formerly employed at SunHawk Academy (an Aspen program) and Red Rock Canyon Academy. Both facilities are members of NATSAP (not that says much since NATSAP is run by the same folks that run the programs) Most direct care staff seem to have mentioned in their bio's that they attended college somewhere but few actually appear to hold degrees.
BuzzKill:
If you nose around on the site a bit you'll see they have the same "emotional Growth" seminars for parents and students as our friends with WWASPS; now know as Specialty Boarding Schools; advertising themselves in national magazines as Specialty Boarding Schools. The program referral sites incorporate Specialty+Boarding+Schools in their web pages.
But anyway - for what ever its worth - Eagle Ranch is on an old "Specialty Boarding School" site - that of the notorious Brightway Hospital; and they are using the very same Life Spring / behavior modification / brain washing / "emotional growth" seminars as WWASPS : Specialty Boarding Schools.
I would say its a safe bet there is more than a loose connection.
psy:
--- Quote from: "BuzzKill" ---If you nose around on the site a bit you'll see they have the same "emotional Growth" seminars for parents and students as our friends with WWASPS; now know as Specialty Boarding Schools; advertising themselves in national magazines as Specialty Boarding Schools. The program referral sites incorporate Specialty+Boarding+Schools in their web pages.
But anyway - for what ever its worth - Eagle Ranch is on an old "Specialty Boarding School" site - that of the notorious Brightway Hospital; and they are using the very same Life Spring / behavior modification / brain washing / "emotional growth" seminars as WWASPS : Specialty Boarding Schools.
I would say its a safe bet there is more than a loose connection.
--- End quote ---
I'm not sure I agree. A lot of "emotional growth" schools (such as CEDU and derivatives) use such lifespring/est derived seminars. If there is a connection between CEDU's seminars and WWASP's seminars, i've never seen any direct evidence to support it (which isn't to imply it doens't exist). Perhaps multiple programs realized the "benefit" of LGAT seminars at the same time... or perhaps WWASP copied it's techinques from CEDU (it's possible considering CEDU's seminars are older, afaik). I wouldn't be surprised if there was some direct crossover, however.
Regarding the WWASP name change: I'm not at all surprised. One good way to avoid a damaged reputation is to change your name, and WWASP isn't the first program to use this time-honored techinque (eg: Alldredge Academy / Ayne Institute).
BuzzKill:
--- Quote from: "psy" ---
--- Quote from: "BuzzKill" ---If you nose around on the site a bit you'll see they have the same "emotional Growth" seminars for parents and students as our friends with WWASPS; now know as Specialty Boarding Schools; advertising themselves in national magazines as Specialty Boarding Schools. The program referral sites incorporate Specialty+Boarding+Schools in their web pages.
But anyway - for what ever its worth - Eagle Ranch is on an old "Specialty Boarding School" site - that of the notorious Brightway Hospital; and they are using the very same Life Spring / behavior modification / brain washing / "emotional growth" seminars as WWASPS : Specialty Boarding Schools.
I would say its a safe bet there is more than a loose connection.
--- End quote ---
I'm not sure I agree. A lot of "emotional growth" schools (such as CEDU and derivatives) use such lifespring/est derived seminars. If there is a connection between CEDU's seminars and WWASP's seminars, i've never seen any direct evidence to support it (which isn't to imply it doens't exist). Perhaps multiple programs realized the "benefit" of LGAT seminars at the same time... or perhaps WWASP copied it's techinques from CEDU (it's possible considering CEDU's seminars are older, afaik). I wouldn't be surprised if there was some direct crossover, however.
Regarding the WWASP name change: I'm not at all surprised. One good way to avoid a damaged reputation is to change your name, and WWASP isn't the first program to use this time-honored techinque (eg: Alldredge Academy / Ayne Institute).
--- End quote ---
I could be wrong. It happens from time to time.
Lets just say then, that the situation deserves watching.
And I agree about the name change game. They have been working on it for some time. I wonder if they chose something as generic as Specialty Boarding Schools on purpose? It brings up other program choices - like Aspen for example - when doing a search on the phrase. But maybe this somehow helps them to blend in with the rest of the industry in a way they find helpful.
Ursus:
--- Quote from: "flyboy27" ---The facility that was Brightway Adolescent Hospital is now a residential treatment center called Eagle Ranch Academy.... http://http://www.eagleranchacademy.com At a quick glance I can see no connection to WWASP.
The 2 founders are Paul Arslanian and Dave Arslanian who are both former (high school?) football coaches. While both of them appear to have degrees they are not exactly true mental health degrees. Paul has a BS in Special Education and a Masters in Public Administration. Dave has a BS in HPER (Health, Physical Education and Recreation) with a focus in psychology and a Masters in HPER. At least the program director, Kelly Miller, has a mental health background with a BA degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Psychology.
Many of the direct care staff were formerly employed at SunHawk Academy (an Aspen program) and Red Rock Canyon Academy. Both facilities are members of NATSAP (not that says much since NATSAP is run by the same folks that run the programs) Most direct care staff seem to have mentioned in their bio's that they attended college somewhere but few actually appear to hold degrees.
--- End quote ---
The place seems to have been started in 2005, but there is much info on that site that is vague, if not contradictory... their website is a bit messy to navigate (maybe that is just me). I found at least two staff bio pages, most of the personnel featured are on both, but not all. Most individuals have grossly incomplete, if not absent, relevant experience/career descriptions.
Suffice it to say that SunHawk Academy (Aspen) and the profession of coaching football are the principle feeders for this organization. I also found a fair sprinkling of Red Rock Academy mentions (WWASPS), plus one or two Provo Canyon School. One of their therapists worked previously at both Second Nature Wilderness Program (Aspen in origin?) and SunHawk. And one person even worked for US Transport Services prior to his employment at Eagle Ranch Academy.
Physical address is here; looks like it IS the old Brightway Hospital:
Eagle Ranch Academy
115 W. 1470 S.
St. George, UT 84770
Toll Free: 888-698-7095And, indeed, they do obliquely allude to such in their FAQ download (just who owns the Woodbury Corporation?):
--- Quote from: "Eagle Ranch Academy" ---Important and Unique Facts about Eagle Ranch Academy
* Value Based Program - Teaching Real Life Values
* Life Skills Coaching Program (trade marked) - only found at ERA
* Scholarships for Parents during attendance and for Student after graduation
* Modern, Comfortable 2 1?2 acre Five Star Campus
* 1st Class Fitness Center - 500 acre working Ranch - Numerous State and National Parks
* Limited Enrollment - Maximum Results
* Accredited Academics - Licensed Teachers - Individualized & Self Paced
* 24/7 Parental Support at 888-698-7095
* Insurance & Loan Specialist on Site
* Family of 12 Students with an "embedded" Therapist and Professional Staff
* Emotional Growth Seminars / Graduation Workshops for Students, Parents, and families
* After Care Program - Long Term Support
Our web site is very detailed and explains each of the above facts very carefully. http://www.eagleranchacademy.com
Summary of Key Points:
At Eagle Ranch Academy we use a Value Based Program to develop the character qualities of our Students, while using our trade marked Life Skills Coaching Program, strong Academics, emphasis on Fitness and Healthy Living, and strong Behavioral Therapeutic Treatment - Our Students learn to tap into their full potential academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Our Program is considered an upper level program in terms of the services and benefits we provide the Student and the family. We provide great help for the Student in the way of counseling, therapy, education, medical attention, and basic necessities. Our Students live on a modern residential campus that provides a comfortable place for Students to receive behavioral treatment through our value based program while getting a quality education. Adjacent to our campus is a 1st class fitness center where our Students receive fitness instruction and workouts; and on alternating days they either visit our on-campus rec center or additional fitness workouts on our play field or basketball court. Our Program is unique in all that we offer our Students, and our goal is to truly help Parents help their Child get well from the behaviors that are leading them into a life full of poor decisions and possibly life threatening situations. ERA is one of the most complete and comprehensive Youth Development Programs anywhere.
Our Campus was built by a major Utah corporation, the Woodbury Corporation, specifically for the State of Utah as a Residential Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center. When the Woodbury's heard of our Youth Development Program/School, they offered their facility for our use. The facility has been JCAHO approved in the past, and with our complete remodel of the property, it is truly one of the nicest Youth Program/School facilities anywhere.
Students are placed in 3 family units of 12 to 16 Students with an "embedded" therapist and 3 to 4 professional staff providing constant supervision, instruction, and individual counseling. Therapists are with their family units 40 hours per week providing individual, group, and Student / Parent family therapy. Plus, therapy occurs at critical moments throughout the day, along with the regular 1 hour a week sessions. In fact, often times Students receive therapy or 1 on 1 counseling without even knowing it.
Our full time / on campus staff working directly with Students consists of a Clinical Director, 3 Therapists, 2 Educational Specialists (licensed teachers), Nurse, Cook, Case Manager/After Care Specialist, Family Relations/Seminar Director, and 10 to 12 Professional Staff (on campus at all times); and our on call staff includes a Clinical Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Behavioral Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Medical Doctor, and weekend Therapist. Our Educational Specialists direct the 4 to 5 hour/day individualized academic program with the help of other team members and the 3D Learn on-line staff.
Three very important components (unique to ERA) include our Emotional Growth Seminars, Graduation Workshops, and After Care Program provide long term growth for Students, Parents, and family members.
Holding true to our Long Term Benefit to the Student, upon graduation from ERA, a College Scholarship is awarded to Students that have contributed in our regularly scheduled Service Projects and/or they provide mentoring through our Alumni Program.
--- End quote ---
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