World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, LLC
WWASP founder Robert Lichfield and former President of WWASP Karr Farnsworth met while working at Provo Canyon Boys School.
Authorities closed Provo Canyon in the late 1970's due to abuse, neglect and mistreatment of students. Robert Lichfield had been the director of residential living at the school.
Lichfield then moved to La Verkin, Utah where he and partner Brent Facer opened Cross Creek Manor, Inc., (now Cross Creek Manor, LLC) an all-girls facility, in 1990.
In 1991, Robert Lichfield created Teen Help, Inc. (now Teen Help, LLC) to market the school.
After associates of Lichfield began opening more schools around the country and abroad, the World Wide Association of Specialty Schools and Programs was incorporated in 1998.
Robert Lichfield is now a consultant and director for WWASP.
Brent Facer is a trustee.
The current president is Ken Kay.
Ken Kay met Lichfield while working at Brightway Adolescent Hospital, in St. George, Utah.
Brightway was a WWASP/Teen Help facility that closed after authorities discovered many of the patient care plans were identical and the staff had failed to report a case of abuse.
WWASP operates as an "umbrella organization," and appears to only endorse facilities that operate according to its guidelines.
Promotional packets obtained by ISAC describe each school as offering "all of the services and components required to be a member of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools."
According to the Utah Department of Commerce, WWASP is listed as a "grantmaking and giving service."
The website for the organization states, "All the Programs and Schools are independently owned and operated, yet follow the same successful Program model that has been developed and refined over numerous years of experience."
Robert Lichfield and J. Ralph Atkin, along with business associates and various members of their families, are very involved in the operations of WWASP. The accounting firm for WWASP, the property managers, the referral agencies, the "escort" services (companies who physically remove children from their homes and deliver them to the "schools,") the real estate agencies, and the individual programs - which claim to be independently owned and operated - are also easily connected by family ties.
Teen Help
Teen Help, LLC is a principal component of the WWASP organization. They raise funds, promote the individual schools, and make political contributions.
Robert Lichfield of Utah, brother of Narvin Lichfield (Dundee Ranch director) is the founder and partner.
J. Ralph Atkin of Utah (Owner of Skywest Airlines, Eurosky Airlines and Jet Acquisitions Group in Arizona) is also a partner. Former director of Dundee Ranch, Joe Atkin, is his son.
Brent Facer of Utah is a partner and former vice president of Teen Help.
Jean Foye of Utah is the registered agent.
Teen Help was the top contributor during Utah state elections in 2001-2002 with donations totaling $215,290. Teen Help was the third leading "soft money" donor during Utah state elections in 2001-2002 with donations totaling $175,500. Source:
http://www.opensecrets.org The internet has been flooded with websites that promote WWASP/Teen Help programs. ISAC has found 110 so far. Click Here To view Organizations and Websites Known To Be Associated with WWASP.
Adolescent Services, Inc.
Adolescent Services, Inc. is a referral company. They also handle much of the paperwork for the individual schools and operate a teen transport agency called Adolescent Services International. Parents are referred to companies like this when parents are looking for someone to physically remove the child from the home and transfer him/her to a WWASP facility.
Narvin Lichfield is the owner.
Tim Waddoups is the current agent.
Adolescent Programs Consulting, LLC
Adolescent Programs Consulting, LLC is a referral company.
R & B Billing
R & B Billing is the accounting firm for WWASP.
They have been sued along with WWASP and Teen Help.
Jennifer Atkin-Christensen (relative of J. Ralph Atkin) is the registered agent.
J. Ralph Atkin is the former agent.
Corby and Mandy Facer (children of Brent Facer) are involved with R& B Billing, but we don't know to what degree.
Adolescent Recovery Services
Adolescent Recovery Services is another company WWASP refers parents to when they are looking for someone to physically remove the child from the home and transfer him/her to a WWASP facility.
Dane Kay, relative of WWASP President Ken Kay, is the registered agent.
Peacox Enterprises, LLC
Peacox Enterprises, LLC has been reported to be the owners, agents and property managers for the various WWASP facilities.
Dan Peart (relative of Robert Lichfield) is the registered agent.
Brent Facer is/was involved with Peacox Enterprises but we haven't determined to what degree.
Dixie Contract Services, LLC
Dixie Contract Services, LLC is affiliated with WWASP and has been named along with the organization in several lawsuits. Their corporate filing lists them as "information services."
Jean Foye is the registered agent.
Brent Facer is affiliated with the company in some capacity.
Robert Lichfield is affiliated with the company in some capacity.
Teens in Crisis, Inc.
Teens in Crisis, Inc. - their website refers parents to ONLY WWASP programs.
Roger Lichfield is the agent.
Southwest Adolescent Services
Southwest Adolescent Services - their website refers parents to ONLY WWASP programs.
Phillip Baker is the agent.
Robert Browning Lichfield Family Limited Partnership
This partnership has been sued along with WWASP and Teen Help.
Patricia Lichfield is the agent.
Resources Realizations
This company has been sued along with WWASP and Teen Help.
David Gilcrease is the registered agent.
Resource Realizations is listed as "dissolved" in Arizona.
This company conducts seminars for WWASP parents and clients - seminars which have been described as brainwashing.
ISAC Corp welcome the opportunity to provide BOTH sides of the story. ISAC DID NOT imply anything "shady". As you can see from above, we simply stated the facts. ISAC Corp has received an email from Resource Realization.In the interest of ensuring that both sides get a chance to tell their story, we have included excerpts from the email sent to us. Below is a QUOTE from the email.
"corporation because I am no longer a resident of AZ. I had to have an AZ. agent and rather than do that, I opened a new company in which I could be the agent.
You would rather it look like there is something shady about this.
No way just a matter of moving to be with my family. you will see Resource has been around since 1986 long before WWASPS or others.
We are a training company. We are not nor never have been part or owned by WWASPS, B. Lichfield or anyone else.
Please get you facts straight."
Thank you
David Gilcrease
President, Resource Realizations
The individual WWASP programs are as follows:
? Majestic Ranch Academy, LLC, Utah - Dan Peart, (relative of Robert Lichfield) is the owner.
? Cross Creek Academy, Utah - J. Ralph Atkin is the registered agent.
? Cross Creek Manor, LLC, Utah - J. Ralph Atkin is the registered agent. Karr Farnsworth is the former director.
? Cross Creek Center, Utah - J. Ralph Atkin is the registered agent.
? Carolina Springs Academy, South Carolina - Narvin Lichfield is the owner.
? Tranquility Bay, Jamaica - Jay Kay, son of WWASP President Ken Kay, is the owner.
? Academy at Ivy Ridge, New York - Jason Finlinson is the Director
? Midwest Academy, Ohio
? Casa by the Sea, Ensenada, Mexico - Dace Goulding is the Director
? Spring Creek Lodge Academy - Montana
Bell Academy in California, while not promoted as a WWASP/Teen Help facility, is owned by Karr Farnsworth, Jade Robinson, and Dace Goulding. ISAC has received reports that students were transferred to Bell Academy from Dundee Ranch when it was closed by authorities.
The Following WWASP Facilities Have Been Closed:
? Dundee Ranch Adademy, Costa Rica - raided and closed on May 22, 2003 after authorities confirmed child abuse. Director Narvin Lichfield and his wife were arrested.
? Brightway Hospital, Utah - closed by authorities in 2002 for providing inadequate care and abuse of teenagers.
? Morava Academy, Czech Republic - closed in 1998 after authorities confirmed abuse and arrested the directors Glenda (aka Glenn) and Steve Roach. Many of the "students" were transferred to Carolina Springs Academy in South Carolina.
? Sunrise Beach, Cancun Mexico - closed in 1996 after authorities alleged abuse. Glenda (aka Glenn) and Steve Roach were directors.
? High Impact, Mexico - closed on the heels of an investigation into abuse.
? Paradise Cove, Samoa - closed on the heels of an investigation into abuse.
Companies Operating from the SAME Address:
The following companies are listed with the state of Utah as operating from -
1240 East 100 South, #9 St. George Utah 84790
1. Teen Help, LLC
2. WWASP
3. Dixie Contract Services, LLC
4. Peacox Enterprises, LLC
5. R & B Billing
6. Browning Academy
7. Robert Browning Lichfield Family Limited Partnership
The following companies are listed with the state of Utah as operating from -
1240 East 100 South, #10 St. George Utah 84790
1. Cross Creek Academy
2. Cross Creek Manor
3. Cross Creek Center
4. International Student Services - referred parents to only WWASP programs - now expired
5. Allen, Atkin and Clarkson, LLC - law firm of J. Ralph Atkin
6. M. Reid Russell - copyright/patent attorney