National Runaway Switchboard's connection to WWASP

[Oscar]

If you check the links you will find that they recommend WWASP aka Teen help to parents.

Who is financing who in this case?

[Ursus]

I am sure that it is an unwitting endorsement. Unwitting on the part of National Runaway Switchboard, that is. NRS is a pretty mainstream organization, and the panoply of links found in their 'Helpful Links' section are, for the most part, also relatively mainstream. The link to Teen Help, on their Services for Parents page is at the very bottom of the page.

The actual Teen Help page accessed from that link has a 2003-2005 copyright at the bottom owned by a Youth Program Central LLC (registrant is a Brett Wilcox, according to Network Solutions). That Teen Help page also has concomitant "affiliate program" links, organized as follows:

• Specialty Schools
  Carolina Springs, Darrington, Ivy Ridge, Pillars of Hope, Spring Creek Lodge, Midwest Academy
• Treatment Facilities
  Cross Creek Center, Cross Creek Manor, Tranquility Bay
• Schools For Children
  Majestic Ranch
• Military School
  Eagle Point Christian Academy
• Teen Maternity Program
  New Beginnings Maternity Home

National Runaway Switchboard has pretty stringent criteria for inclusion in their links section. I wonder how WWASPS managed to finagle their way on there.

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Evaluation Criteria for Resource Links

To request a link:

Upon request, we will evaluate sites for inclusion on the National Runaway Switchboard website. Please read the information below, prior to sending your request. If your site does not meet the criteria, please do not send in a request. The final decision for inclusion is based on whether NRS determines that your site has met the criteria. However, NRS expressly reserves the right to refuse to offer such links to any person or entity for any reason whatsoever and to terminate any link at any time for any reason whatsoever. Submit your request to

http://www.1800RUNAWAY.org link on their site when their link has been added to the NRS website.[/li]
[li]The organization requesting the link has a national presence, influence, and/or scope.[/li][/list]

[BuzzKill]

I hope they will realize their mistake before any damage is done.

[Ursus]

Btw, that Teen Help link is actually a subpage of this website: http://www.vpp.com, which is called "Viewpoint Mall, Shopping and Entertainment."

The Home page contains 4 links under the category of "Teen Services and Providers," and 3 links for "Classifieds." The Teen Services links are the Teen Help page, the Youth Central Program page (which appears to be non-functional), a "202 Teen Programs" page (which, while mostly in English, also has some Asian script on it), and a link to an entry page for TurnAbout Ranch (Brat Camp, an Aspen program). The links under the "Classified" section are basically sales pitches re. somebody's marketing expertise.

Administrative, technical, and registrant contact info for vpp.com are also Brett Wilcox, according to Network Solutions:

Brett Wilcox ([email protected])
+1.9077477437
Fax: +1.9077477437
P.O. Box 2352
Sitka, AK 99835
US

[Anonymous]

Brett Wilcox is also mentioned at the end of this post on WWASPS spam:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9343&p=98602#p98602

[Che Gookin]

anyone think of sending this National Runaway Switchboard some information on yee olde WWASP?

[BuzzKill]

Thank You Osacr for the heads up on this.
This runaway org is ligit. Not knowing the realities we are all so familiar with, they had been a bit lax, but are now paying attention. The link will come down.

[psy]

Thank You Osacr for the heads up on this.
This runaway org is ligit. Not knowing the realities we are all so familiar with, they had been a bit lax, but are now paying attention. The link will come down.

Thanks, Buzz, Oscar!

[MCL27]

I have written to ISAC asking them to inform the runaway switchboard about the lawsuits and abuses that have occurred at those schools.  I'm hoping that the links will be down shortly.