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Ursus:
Here are some interesting observations made by Ed Con organization Thomas J. Croke & Associates, Inc. (FamilyLights™) regarding Aspen's marketing strategies.

Please note that I am not by any means endorsing what Croke et al do. I just find it interesting that -- even amongst the Ed Con crowd -- the way CRC choses to go about marketing their product does end up raising some eyebrows. (Perhaps they are naive? WWASPS has been doing it this way for years and years. Perhaps they don't approve of WWASPS either; I can't tell, since clicking on the requisite page link gives me a 404.).

This site is currently under construction, and what you find by following the link may or may not resemble what I quote below.

  =================  =================  =================

Aspen/CRC Marketing

We are very concerned about the aggressive marketing conducted by the Aspen Education Group. Too often we hear of clinicians advising parents that sending their child to a therapeutic program away from home is only a good idea if it is an Aspen program. Clinicians who give that advice are falling victim to this aggressive marketing. Many Aspen programs are good programs, but people who speak as if they are the only good programs are at best misinformed. Aspen is very generous with perks for their loyal referral sources.  We are not suggesting anything as black and white unethical as cash  payments. In a future revision of this page, we will include more detail on how this process actually works.

An example of aggressive marketing that applies to individuals searching on the Internet (as opposed to potential referral sources) is http://www.teenboardingschools.com/ .  The website http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/r ... chools.com checked on March 6, 2008, indicates that http://www.teenboardingschools.com/ is a domain owned by "Aspen Education Group, 17777 Center Court Drive, Suite 300,Cerritos, CA 90703, US." Until we called attention to this on the listserv for the IECA, this website gave the appearance of being a neutral search website for parents seeking resources on the web. (We have edited this page on March 15, 2008, as we note that the CRC logo was then added to this website, acknowledging who is behind it and no longer totally concealing the conflict of interest). We also believe that if CRC/Aspen really wanted people to know that this website is a marketing arm of the Aspen programs, it would put the Aspen and CRC logos at the top and bottom of every page and turn it into a link to the the web sites of those companies.

Until that correction was made, that website appeared to direct users only to Aspen facilities while concealing that Aspen, CRC Health, or Bain Capital had anything to do with it. Articles, such as the one at http://www.teenboardingschools.com/bootcamps.htm entitled "Boot Camps Don't Work" did not disclose that it was posted on the web site of a company that does not operate boot camps but does operate many programs considered by people to be competitors to boot camps. We at FamilyLights™ agree with what the article says, but we are concerned about the value system of a business that would run this kind of self serving web site without disclosing their financial interest in the guidance offered.

We repeat for emphasis that the correction occurred only after FamilyLights™ discovered the existence of this website and circulated the information throughout IECA. The acknowledgment of ownership appears only on the home page, so far as we are aware. If Aspen/CRC really wanted people to see it, we suspect it would be on every page.

When you get a recommendation suggesting that only Aspen programs should be considered, you need to challenge at once the competence and/or the ethics of the person making that recommendation. If the recommendation is for a specific program, the recommendation might be solid, based on solid reasons why that particular Aspen program is right for your situation. However we see no reason why a competent and ethical referring professional would claim that Aspen programs in general are so superior to all others in general, that only Aspen programs are appropriate for consideration, but we do hear of people making that claim. If you hear that from a person recommending programs, you need to ask that person two questions immediately, then be skeptical regarding any advice and direction from that person. The two questions are: (1) What comparable non-Aspen programs have you actually investigated? and (2) What favors, travel, perks, educational benefits and other items of value has the Aspen/CRC organization provided you? Then find a second opinion, if not a replacement for the person who gave you that advice.

FamilyLights™ sometimes recommends some Aspen programs to some families. We are not stating that there is no quality here. There are also some Aspen programs to which we will not refer. We are not alleging actual bribery or cash payoffs. But we are concerned that people are choosing Aspen facilities due to manipulation of referral sources and manipulation of families searching on the web. We think it is a shame that this company, that does offer a great deal of quality, damages its credibility with the behavior of its marketing divisions. (Web marketing and personal marketing to referral sources are handled by different divisions).

Remember, an Aspen/CRC program might still be right for you or your child. Do not exclude consideration of Aspen/CRC program just because of what we say here. But make sure you base your decision on information from sources that can evaluate the benefits and shortcomings of both Aspen/CRC and non-Aspen/CRC programs and will do so objectively.

Also, remember that the problem is with marketing efforts at the corporate level. At most Aspen facilities, the admission people tell a straght story.

Last revised August 15, 2008

Ursus:
After that upbeat tale released just shy of two months ago, detailing the "variety of activities, events and programming to celebrate Recovery Month 2008" at Excel Academy (the festivities having ostensibly just wound down), we hear of their imminent closing:

—•?|•?•0•?•|?•— —•?|•?•0•?•|?•— —•?|•?•0•?•|?•—

Aspen Education Group
Cerritos, CA

Letter Regarding Excel Academy of Texas' Consolidation of Services

Contact:
Karen Fitzhugh
Senior Vice President, Residential Eastern Region
802-592-3344
kfitzhugh@aspeneducation.com

October 8, 2008

Dear Friends,

Today it was announced that as of November 21, 2008, Excel Academy of Texas will discontinue operations and consolidate services. With the robust continuum of services within Aspen Education Group, we are in the fortunate position to consolidate Excel's services with other Aspen programs to weather the current economic downturn. Our network of solid, quality programs will allow us to continue providing the highest level of care for our current students and those still seeking treatment. We anticipate a smooth transition for our current students and families, and are providing resources and support to place students in the most appropriate care. This includes offering highly discounted tuition rates at other Aspen programs and waived enrollment and transportation fees for transferring students and families.

This decision to consolidate comes after much careful deliberation as to how we could best serve youth and families struggling with substance abuse and related issues in this challenging economic climate. While we regret any inconvenience to our students, families and professional partners during this transition, we are working hard to ensure that the best placement decisions are made, and will continue all operations at Excel until the last student is successfully placed.

We wish to thank the many talented staff of Excel for their years of dedicated service. Our employees have always shown a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping youth and families. We will do all that we can to ensure that this process is as smooth as possible for them as well.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Jim Dredge, President
Aspen Education Group

dishdutyfugitive:
Robust continuum.....


nothing like the smell of napalm and coroporate speak in the morning.

Anonymous:
I suspect  you really don't know what we do.   Lumping all educational consultants together is like lumping all people of the same race together. It is stereotyping.  

If you take a close look, you will very likely disagree with us on some things, but if you really take a close look, you will see that different educational consultants do different things.  Most (not quite all) of the young people we have worked with have feedback for us on  the range from neutral to positive.  We have made mistakes along the way and we try to learn from them.  We are not aware of any young people who think we have abused them or knowingly allowed others to do so.  (Maybe posting this will lead someone to raise that, but we haven't heard it from them)    Oops. I know one who might be pretty unhappy with us. Initials are JS and he's from New York City.  I would not mind an opportunity to sit down with JS on equal terms and discuss what happened and how that situation got messed up. He's a neat kid.  But that sort of thing is pretty unusual.  

If you are trying to shut down every school or program that works with kids, we are at odds. If you want to see the quality improved -- both with respect to effectiveness and positive and respectful treatment of young people -- we are allies.  Look at http://www.familylight.com/link3/3.05/3 ... sitive.htm as an example. Some readers here will disagree with us and that is your privilege, but we think prodding all programs to move that direction is a good thing. I am sure some of you will think we don't go far enough, but I think most of you will believe this is an improvement over what has gone before.  

If you disagree  (or if you agree)  with what we say, send us a note at http://www.familylight.com

PS.  The quotation below is accurate.






--- Quote from: "Ursus" ---Here are some interesting observations made by Ed Con organization Thomas J. Croke & Associates, Inc. (FamilyLights™) regarding Aspen's marketing strategies.

Please note that I am not by any means endorsing what Croke et al do. I just find it interesting that -- even amongst the Ed Con crowd -- the way CRC choses to go about marketing their product does end up raising some eyebrows. (Perhaps they are naive? WWASPS has been doing it this way for years and years. Perhaps they don't approve of WWASPS either; I can't tell, since clicking on the requisite page link gives me a 404.).

This site is currently under construction, and what you find by following the link may or may not resemble what I quote below.

  =================  =================  =================

Aspen/CRC Marketing

We are very concerned about the aggressive marketing conducted by the Aspen Education Group. Too often we hear of clinicians advising parents that sending their child to a therapeutic program away from home is only a good idea if it is an Aspen program. Clinicians who give that advice are falling victim to this aggressive marketing. Many Aspen programs are good programs, but people who speak as if they are the only good programs are at best misinformed. Aspen is very generous with perks for their loyal referral sources.  We are not suggesting anything as black and white unethical as cash  payments. In a future revision of this page, we will include more detail on how this process actually works.

An example of aggressive marketing that applies to individuals searching on the Internet (as opposed to potential referral sources) is http://www.teenboardingschools.com/ .  The website http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/r ... chools.com checked on March 6, 2008, indicates that http://www.teenboardingschools.com/ is a domain owned by "Aspen Education Group, 17777 Center Court Drive, Suite 300,Cerritos, CA 90703, US." Until we called attention to this on the listserv for the IECA, this website gave the appearance of being a neutral search website for parents seeking resources on the web. (We have edited this page on March 15, 2008, as we note that the CRC logo was then added to this website, acknowledging who is behind it and no longer totally concealing the conflict of interest). We also believe that if CRC/Aspen really wanted people to know that this website is a marketing arm of the Aspen programs, it would put the Aspen and CRC logos at the top and bottom of every page and turn it into a link to the the web sites of those companies.

Until that correction was made, that website appeared to direct users only to Aspen facilities while concealing that Aspen, CRC Health, or Bain Capital had anything to do with it. Articles, such as the one at http://www.teenboardingschools.com/bootcamps.htm entitled "Boot Camps Don't Work" did not disclose that it was posted on the web site of a company that does not operate boot camps but does operate many programs considered by people to be competitors to boot camps. We at FamilyLights™ agree with what the article says, but we are concerned about the value system of a business that would run this kind of self serving web site without disclosing their financial interest in the guidance offered.

We repeat for emphasis that the correction occurred only after FamilyLights™ discovered the existence of this website and circulated the information throughout IECA. The acknowledgment of ownership appears only on the home page, so far as we are aware. If Aspen/CRC really wanted people to see it, we suspect it would be on every page.

When you get a recommendation suggesting that only Aspen programs should be considered, you need to challenge at once the competence and/or the ethics of the person making that recommendation. If the recommendation is for a specific program, the recommendation might be solid, based on solid reasons why that particular Aspen program is right for your situation. However we see no reason why a competent and ethical referring professional would claim that Aspen programs in general are so superior to all others in general, that only Aspen programs are appropriate for consideration, but we do hear of people making that claim. If you hear that from a person recommending programs, you need to ask that person two questions immediately, then be skeptical regarding any advice and direction from that person. The two questions are: (1) What comparable non-Aspen programs have you actually investigated? and (2) What favors, travel, perks, educational benefits and other items of value has the Aspen/CRC organization provided you? Then find a second opinion, if not a replacement for the person who gave you that advice.

FamilyLights™ sometimes recommends some Aspen programs to some families. We are not stating that there is no quality here. There are also some Aspen programs to which we will not refer. We are not alleging actual bribery or cash payoffs. But we are concerned that people are choosing Aspen facilities due to manipulation of referral sources and manipulation of families searching on the web. We think it is a shame that this company, that does offer a great deal of quality, damages its credibility with the behavior of its marketing divisions. (Web marketing and personal marketing to referral sources are handled by different divisions).

Remember, an Aspen/CRC program might still be right for you or your child. Do not exclude consideration of Aspen/CRC program just because of what we say here. But make sure you base your decision on information from sources that can evaluate the benefits and shortcomings of both Aspen/CRC and non-Aspen/CRC programs and will do so objectively.

Also, remember that the problem is with marketing efforts at the corporate level. At most Aspen facilities, the admission people tell a straght story.

Last revised August 15, 2008
--- End quote ---

psy:

--- Quote from: "FamilyLight (sm)" ---I suspect  you really don't know what we do.   Lumping all educational consultants together is like lumping all people of the same race together. It is stereotyping.  

If you take a close look, you will very likely disagree with us on some things, but if you really take a close look, you will see that different educational consultants do different things.  Most (not quite all) of the young people we have worked with have feedback for us on  the range from neutral to positive.  We have made mistakes along the way and we try to learn from them.  We are not aware of any young people who think we have abused them or knowingly allowed others to do so.
--- End quote ---

OK.  Now that is a bald face lie, if you are in fact Tom Croke.  I know for a fact of a kid who you referred to Benchmark who was not happy at all with his placement (I think we both know who we are talking about.  Initials are BW) and would definitely contest that statement.  I'm pretty sure you knew about his dissatisfaction as well, either directly, through his parents, or through me, personally.

Secondly, I doubt those kids you sent to Samoa (which you referred to, unless I'm mistaken) were extraordinarily pleased with your referrals.  Tell me.  Have any of the places you have referred to been shut down due to lawsuits, state action, or other consequences as a result of allegations of abuse and/or fraud?

How many "young people" do you interview after the fact regarding their satisfaction/sucess?  Long term?  Or do you rely on the parents for satisfaction? (because that's what this industry is really about: satisfying parental whims)

You were careful to state "We are not aware of any young people who think we have abused them or knowingly allowed others to do so." (emphasis on knowingly).  What about negligently?  Is that any better?  Just because you didn't know does not excuse it if you didn't want to know.  Do you even make an effort to follow up on allegations of abuse / mistreatment / fraud / fraudulent misrepresentation?


--- Quote ---(Maybe posting this will lead someone to raise that, but we haven't heard it from them)    Oops. I know one who might be pretty unhappy with us. Initials are JS and he's from New York City.  I would not mind an opportunity to sit down with JS on equal terms and discuss what happened and how that situation got messed up. He's a neat kid.  But that sort of thing is pretty unusual.
--- End quote ---

I think I know who you're talking about there (initials and location match, anyway), and no, he wasn't happy with your referral at all...  Yet (if we're taliing about the same person) you still refer to the program he was in.  Why is that?  Exactly how many allegations of abuse and/or fraud (as in fraudulent misrepresentation) does it take with you?  What is your cut-off point?


--- Quote ---If you are trying to shut down every school or program that works with kids, we are at odds.
--- End quote ---

Oh it works, does it?  Can you prove it works compared to a group with no treatment at all?  Have there been independent double blind studies done?   It seems to me that if you advertise a product as "working" you need to prove it as such, otherwise it's false or misleading advertising.


--- Quote ---If you want to see the quality improved -- both with respect to effectiveness and positive and respectful treatment of young people -- we are allies.
--- End quote ---

With all due respect, I don't believe you really care about the quality of the places you refer.  I suspect you, like many others in your profession, take kickbacks for referrals as there is nothing illegal about it.  You can deny it, sure, and I might be wrong, but how is a parent (or anybody for that matter) to know for sure?  If you're honest, the answer is: they can't.  So then the question is: why should they trust you?  Because you purport to have experience in the area?  Because you have a nice website and a nice smile?  Because you sound professional?  What are your actual academic credentials to be dealing with kids or recommending ANY sort of treatment.  Are you a doctor?


--- Quote ---Look at http://www.familylight.com/link3/3.05/3 ... sitive.htm as an example. Some readers here will disagree with us and that is your privilege, but we think prodding all programs to move that direction is a good thing. I am sure some of you will think we don't go far enough, but I think most of you will believe this is an improvement over what has gone before.  

If you disagree  (or if you agree)  with what we say, send us a note at FamilyLightResponse@yahoo.com.  We don't publish flames.  We wil publish what people say when they can disagree without being disagreeable.
--- End quote ---

Here we leave it up to the reader to decide what is and what is not disagreeable and/or a flame.  Anything else is censorship based on a subjective judgment.  Nobody has the right to tell you what you can or can not read.  Anybody who says differently seeks to control you.


--- Quote ---We agree that some educational consultants do things that are not appropriate.  I can assure you that not all of my colleagues love me.
--- End quote ---

Again, with all due respect, I've heard that exact same line from other educational consultants (who take kickbacks) who have said the exact same song and dance (again, I think you know who I am talking about.  Initials are SS).


--- Quote ---I believe our common concern is to stop abuses and get young people meaningful help in ways that do not inflict needless pain.  Readers here will disagree with each other and with me on how best to do that and who are the good guys and who are the bad guys.  But I believe we all really want the same things in the end.  

If you think I am onto something, help me out. Link to my website. Steer people to my website.
--- End quote ---

LOL.  You could hardly pick a worse place to advertise.


--- Quote ---Give me responsible comments and feedback (not flames).  I won't publish specific allegations of wrongdoing with programs
--- End quote ---

Of course not.  And you'll actively defend any accusations against programs without bothering to even respond to an email to follow up on the allegations (again, I think we both know what we're talking about here).  Yet you'll actively defend the programs and go to bat for them in court without even talking to the "other side".  It's almost as if you're not interested in the truth at all or are so single-mindedly *sure* of what you *know* to be true you aren't even willing to consider any other possibilities.  Whether that is out of blind faith or malice based on greed is irrelevant.  At best it's negligent.  You aren't selling any ordinary product here.  You're selling what you represent as a medical treatment.


--- Quote ---but I will call attention the questions people should ask programs.  Posting flames on this website, you folks can't be reached with lawsuits.
--- End quote ---

Wrong.  If a lawsuit has *merit* there is a course of action.  Even here.  It is perfectly possible to sue a john doe and has been done *many* times in the past.  If the lawsuit, on the other hand, is a baseless slapp, it's going to end up hurting the plaintiff more than anybody else in the long run (and again, I think we're both on the same page here).


--- Quote ---I can and I must be careful. But if I know a program is abusing kids, that knowlege will have an impact on what I do, and I will find a way to make that facts surface.
--- End quote ---

OK.  Without investigating (even following up on an email) and without publishing anything, how, exactly, will you do that and how will anybody know if you are actually doing anything?

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