Boy raped at WestCare-Georgia Intensive RTC

[Inculcated]

State department of Juvenile Justice stands by youth facility operator after sexual assaultBy AP - Athens Banner-Herald Published Monday, May 17, 2010

AUGUSTA - The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is standing behind operators of the WestCare-Georgia Intensive Residential Treatment Program, where a 16-year-old said he was sexually assaulted with a toilet plunger.

 No sanctions were imposed and no employees were disciplined, The Augusta Chronicle reported Sunday. The newspaper used an open records request to obtain the investigation report of what happened on the night of Jan. 2. As a result of the case, four teens who were at the privately run drug and alcohol recovery program were indicted on charges of aggravated sexual battery.

The report describes how four large teens attacked the victim while the lights were out during a shift change.

The file said corrective actions taken by the company include adopting a zero-tolerance policy for "horse play" and assigning extra keys so counselors overseeing dormitories can keep watch over residents during shift changes.

[DannyB II]

"Inculcated"]State department of Juvenile Justice stands by youth facility operator after sexual assaultBy AP - Athens Banner-Herald Published Monday, May 17, 2010

AUGUSTA - The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is standing behind operators of the WestCare-Georgia Intensive Residential Treatment Program, where a 16-year-old said he was sexually assaulted with a toilet plunger.

 No sanctions were imposed and no employees were disciplined, The Augusta Chronicle reported Sunday. The newspaper used an open records request to obtain the investigation report of what happened on the night of Jan. 2. As a result of the case, four teens who were at the privately run drug and alcohol recovery program were indicted on charges of aggravated sexual battery.

The report describes how four large teens attacked the victim while the lights were out during a shift change.

The file said corrective actions taken by the company include adopting a zero-tolerance policy for "horse play" and assigning extra keys so counselors overseeing dormitories can keep watch over residents during shift changes.

 :shamrock:  :shamrock:

Here is a short bio of the program, a different sort of treatment program.

A Tribute to Bob McNutt, 1920 - 2008

A Tribute to Arnold Andrews, 1942 - 2006

Uplifting the human spirit is a lofty statement for any organization to promote as their objective, especially given the challenging world we live in today. Quality health and human services for individuals, families and communities in need are a priceless resource. With over three decades of experience, WestCare has the necessary expertise to be that resource to the communities we serve.

WestCare, a family of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our services include substance abuse and addiction treatment, homeless and runaway shelters, domestic violence treatment and prevention, and mental health programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families; we specialize in helping people traditionally considered difficult to treat, such as those who are indigent, have multiple disorders, or are involved with the criminal justice system.

Much of our growth has resulted from partnering with like-minded, community-oriented treatment programs that focus on providing the highest quality services. All of these partnerships are to the mutual benefit of the organizations involved and have enabled the partners to sustain and enhance the provision of treatment services for those who need such help. A brief historical overview shows how this strategy has further strengthened and broadened the treatment continuum WestCare provides in its many regions.
   
WestCare, Inc. is an AmeriCorps National Direct grantee through the Corporation for National and Community Service.  Join the national service movement and help us uplift spirits, strengthen neighborhoods and build strong families!   For more information regarding AmeriCorps opportunities at WestCare please contact David Rosynsky, WeDirect National AmeriCorps Director at http://www.americorps.gov.

 

    1973
    • WestCare was created to provide community-based substance abuse treatment for people who are indigent or from low-income households and who would not otherwise have had access to treatment services. Founded as a residential treatment program called Fitzsimmons House, or “Fitz House,” adopted the therapeutic community treatment modality and focused on long-term care for hard-core adult male heroin addicts. Within a few years, WestCare responded to the community’s need for expanded substance abuse treatment and made available to women and to individuals abusing drugs other than heroin.

    1981
    • The Board of Directors reincorporated the agency under Western Counseling Associations, Inc. (WCA). With this re-incorporation, the agency further expanded to provide adult outpatient and day treatment services, as well as a substance abuse education and prevention school for adults convicted of driving under the influence.

    1984
    • WCA acquired Vegas House, Inc. (now known as WestCare’s Youth Residential Program), an adolescent residential program that utilizes the therapeutic community treatment modality: 75% of the treatment population is youthful offenders.

    1985
    • Our service delivery system expanded to include a youth day treatment component with an accredited school program sponsored by the Clark County School District, primarily serving probationers and parolees.

    1986
    • The Regional Family Resource Center (RFRC) was added to our family of programs to provide a comprehensive system of crisis intervention, substance abuse assessments, and referral/placement services for youth and families in need. This program was the result of collaboration between the Nevada Association of Counties, Juvenile Court Services, and WCA. The RFRC has continued to grow and now provides shelter and drug abuse prevention services to runaway, homeless, and exploited youth; adult social model civil protective custody and detoxification program (primarily serving individuals with criminal justice backgrounds or public inebriates referred by local law enforcement); and an adult transitional living program and aftercare support services.

    1988
    • The agency changed its name to WestCare. The agency’s new name reflected more accurately the diversity of treatment alternatives made available to the community.

    1991
    • WestCare continued to expand its focus on special populations with the addition of a school-based substance abuse education and prevention project focusing on serving Hispanic youth.

    1992
    • Programs in neighboring states began to request WestCare’s assistance and expertise in developing and managing substance abuse education, prevention, and treatment programs for both youth and adults. WestCare started its Colorado River Region Youth Services Project (CRRYS), located in Mohave County, Arizona, to address gaps in services for youth corrections and child welfare referrals in the tri-state region of Arizona, California, and Nevada. WestCare also acquired fiscal and clinical management of The Third Floor in Fresno, California in 1992. The Third Floor, incorporated in 1974, provides critical substance abuse treatment and prevention programs as well as support services for homeless and families in need throughout Fresno County. The Third Floor (now WestCare California) provides service to over 3,000 individuals annually. The WestCare California treatment facility in Fresno is one of the largest community-based programs in the United States with a capacity of almost 350 residential and detoxification treatment beds providing specialty services to youth, women with children, and adults.

    1996 - 1997
    • WestCare initiated a rural outpatient substance abuse treatment program for youthful offenders in Pahrump, Nevada. WestCare opened an adolescent social model detoxification program, and added a domestic violence program for chemically dependent women to its Nevada operations. We also acquired a domestic violence shelter that annually serves approximately 320 women and their children, known as Safe House, in Arizona; 60% of the women in the program have criminal justice involvement. The Safe House operation was added at the request of its Board of Directors, which wanted the program to benefit from WestCare’s experienced management team.

    1998
    • WestCare Nevada develops a Street Outreach Team Project named "Dusk to Dawn" which provides crisis intervention on the streets and transportation of homeless and runaway youth from the streets of Las Vegas.

    2001
    • In January, WestCare established a Community Involvement Center and administrative office in St. Petersburg, Florida and began building partnerships with local treatment providers and community organizations. WestCare currently provides outpatient substance abuse treatment services to individuals affected or infected with HIV/AIDS.
    • In April, WestCare Nevada added the Healthy Families Project, a residential substance abuse treatment program serving pregnant and postpartum women and their children. Healthy Families Project offers a continuum of care ranging from medium/high intensity residential, intensive outpatient, outpatient individual and group, and transitional housing treatment services. This program provides gender specific case management substance abuse treatment services to pregnant/parenting women and women with dependent children. This is the only substance abuse treatment facility in Southern Nevada that specifically targets this population, allows the clients to bring children into treatment with them, and provides intensive case management during the treatment process.

    2002
    • WestCare California contracted with the Department of Corrections, and in February 2003, began operating residential treatment and outpatient counseling for prison inmates.

    2003
    • WestCare Nevada begins operating a Community Triage Center with support from the city of Las Vegas, Clark County, and the local medical community.
    • WestCare Florida assumed operational responsibility for Turning Point and The Mustard Seed Inn, two programs that serve homeless drug-dependent individuals in the Pinellas County area, at the invitation of the Mustard Seed Foundation early in 2003.
    • WestCare assumed operations of the Living Room, a nonprofit agency in 2003, thus providing WestCare California with an opportunity to develop a full complement of HIV/AIDS-related services in the Fresno community. In addition to offering counseling and related services, The Living Room offers a drop-in center, a food bank, and a hot meals program.
    • Blossom House, an independent living program that prepares drug-free women for a life of sobriety and productivity, joined WestCare Arizona’s service array in 2003. Staff assists residents in finding meaningful work and in finding affordable permanent housing.
    • WestCare Nevada opened the Women and Children’s Campus in November 2003. Licensed for 130 beds, the facility offers a crisis intervention program for runaways and homeless adolescents; separate treatment programs for adolescents and adult women address gender-specific needs of campus residents; and Healthy Families.
    • The Village South, located in Miami, The Village - Virgin Islands and WestCare affiliated in December 2003, thus joining forces. Through this partnership, both organizations came together with the expectation of maximizing their respective strengths by sharing resources and “best practices” of service delivery, and by improving administrative efficiencies.

    2004
    • WestCare Georgia enters into a contract with DeKalb County and began operation of two independent living facilities for foster children and adjudicated youths. One for Boys in Tucker, Georgia, and one for Girls in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
    • Charles G. Curie, Administrator of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) presented a grant award to WestCare for $2 million over five years to integrate treatment for health problems, substance abuse and mental disorders for homeless adults at The Turning Point.
    • In preparation for establishing community-base substance abuse treatment services in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, WestCare Foundation filed articles of incorporation. Initially, WestCare will provide services in eastern and central Kentucky, with plans to expand into western Kentucky.
    • The Colorado River Youth Shelter (CRRYS) celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a gala celebration.
    • WestCare Florida began offering targeted case management services in Pensacola, Florida, for severely and persistently mentally ill adults and children.
    • WestCare Florida subcontracted with the University of South Florida for HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services.
    • WestCare Nevada opened the Girls Intermediate Residential Living and Support Services (GIRRLS) program at the Women and Children’s Campus. The program offers alternative placements for females who have committed non-violent offenses, yet are not categorized as delinquents because they are often victims of crime. The program is a collaboration of Department of Juvenile Justice Services, the Metropolitan Police Department, and WestCare.
    • WestCare Nevada begins Prevention Education services in rural and Urban Nevada. This new program covers two counties and is included in the school curriculum in three cities.
    • WestCare Georgia begins operation of two Independent Living Facilities; one for Boys, in Tucker Georgia and one for Girls, in Stone Mountain Georgia.

    2005
    • WestCare Kentucky opened a residential substance abuse treatment facility in August of 2005. The facility is licensed for 72 adult men and women in Eastern Kentucky.
    • WestCare Arizona opens Emery House, a men’s sober living home that provides housing and services for ten adult men in recovery.
    • WestCare Arizona opens Sage House, a respite day center for seniors that provides supervised care for those who cannot be left home alone.
    • WestCare receives funding to begin expansion of Street Outreach Services to include identification of victims of trafficking
    • The Care Center for Mental Health affiliated with WestCare. The Care Center for Mental Health has been providing substance abuse and mental health services to the residents of Monroe County and the Florida Keys over two decades.
    • The Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys affiliated with WestCare. The Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys has been faithfully serving the residents of the Middle Keys of Monroe County for more than three decades.

    2006
    • WestCare Nevada opened the Butterflies Emergency Shelter Program which provides an immediate safe haven for girls referred by Child Haven. The Unit provides alternatives for girls age 10-17 in danger of abuse or neglect, and works with caseworkers to coordinate services to meet each individuals needs.
    • WestCare California opened a Therapeutic Community inside Pleasant Valley State Prison which can provide substance abuse services for 200 inmate participants.
    • Drug Court services begin in town of Pahrump, Nevada. Adult and Youth Drug Court Clients are able to receive compassionate care in their own community.
    • On November 1, 2006, WestCare Illinois enters into a contract with the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide substance abuse treatment for all 950 offenders at the Sheridan Correctional Facility -Fully Dedicated Drug Treatment Prison and Reentry Program. The Sheridan program utilizes a therapeutic community model of care.
    • WestCare Arizona’s Colorado River Regional Youth Services (CRRYS) is the recipient of three major community inspired renovation projects.
        Mohave County Probation Department, volunteers and neighbors from the community came together to help build a new baseball field for the youth at CRRYS. In November CRRYS held its 1st annual softball tournament on the new field to mark the occasion. Staff from Mohave County Probation played the opening game.
        The CRRYS facility opened a new classroom. This classroom is state of the art, equipped with 20 computers where students can complete school work assignments on-line and work at their own pace, while earning credits toward graduation. This project was made possible by Apple Construction and local Kiwanis Clubs.
        Local businesses and volunteers join together to create an outside picnic area furnished with picnic tables and canopy for the youth and staff at CRRYS.

    2007
    • WestCare Arizona's Thrift Store gets a new name, new manager and a much needed makeover. This project was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the WestCare Arizona staff. Formerly known as "My Sister’s Closet" this new and improved thrift store now proudly bears the name of WestCare Arizona Thrift Store.
    • Mohave County Probation Department, volunteers and neighbors unite to build a new basketball court at CRRYS. In celebration, WestCare Arizona staff held a celebrity "shoot the hoops with the kids day" at CRRYS, where the local Needles, CA Judge, Honorable Joe Brisco, Mohave County Attorney, Matt Smith and WestCare Sr. Vice President, Kirby Burgess shot hoops with the kids.
    • Scheduled for winter 2007, WestCare Nevada, will open the doors to its newest facility, the Community Triage Center (CTC), located in Reno, Nevada. The CTC – Reno will provide safe, medically supervised detoxification services, as well as provide triage services for individuals in need of acute mental health treatment. The CTC will offer safe and effective treatment options for early interventions for both populations.
    • In fall 2007 WestCare began operating the new WestCare Charter School. WestCare Charter School is a publicly-funded charter school geared at assisting children and adolescents with behavioral and/or emotional problems. The school will combine a middle school and high school educational program with emotional wellness training and behavioral modification techniques.
    • WestCare Nevada awarded State of Nevada grant to provide integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment services to Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED) adolescents with Co-occurring Disorders. The Co-Occurring Disorders Pilot Project of Clark County is a comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based program which incorporates intensive outpatient services and Family Behavioral Therapy.
    • WestCare Nevada expands the Healthy Families Project. In a collaborative effort, WestCare Nevada, State of Nevada Division of Child and Family Services, the State of Nevada Attorney General's Office and other partner agencies awarded $3.7 million federal grant through the Administration for Children and Families to improve permanency outcomes for children affected by methamphetamine and other substance abuse. The Healthy Families Project, the only licensed treatment services for mothers and their young children in Las Vegas, provides residential and transitional substance abuse treatment services to pregnant, postpartum, and parenting women. This funding will allow WestCare to expand services by an additional 12 treatment beds, enabling the HFP to serve 30 mothers and up to 30 children. The enhanced services will benefit an additional 48 women and children annually.

Danny

[DannyB II]

:shamrock:  :shamrock:

There programs in Georgia; Locations:

WestCare, Inc. is an AmeriCorps National Direct grantee through the Corporation for National and Community Service.  Join the national service movement and help us uplift spirits, strengthen neighborhoods and build strong families!   For more information regarding AmeriCorps opportunities at WestCare please contact David Rosynsky, WeDirect National AmeriCorps Director at http://www.americorps.gov.

 

GEORGIA:
WestCare Georgia provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our services include a juvenile justice treatment program, outpatient substance abuse and addiction treatment, children in crisis and HIV/AIDS educational programs.

Dedicated to working in partnership with the communities and agencies we serve, our philosophy is to empower everyone who comes into contact with us to engage in a process of healing, growth, and change that will benefit them, their families, their coworkers and their communities.

Fast Facts
Georgia Map

DeKalb County Children’s Center
901 Fourth Street
Stone  Mountain, GA  30083
Phone: 770-469-8480
Fax: 770-469-1024

In March of 2004, WestCare entered into partnership with the Department of Children and Families in DeKalb County, Georgia, to provide residential care and treatment for children in the child protective service system. The DeKalb Children’s Center is 52-bed residential treatment facilities for youths ages 12-17 in need of support and services to meet their varied needs.

• 24-hour Child Assessment Center.
• 24-hour day rooms, board, care and supervision in a residential therapeutic milieu that addresses each child’s individual, physical, social, mental, and emotional needs.
• Comprehensive residential group care to children who have been identified as having emotional or behavior problems and permanency planning challenges.
• Service planning and provision based on the child’s placement assessment, which is individualized, and integrated with the case plan and permanency goals.
• A full array of enhanced/comprehensive residential group care program services to facilitate the achievement of the permanency goals of each child in care.
• Independent Living for youths ages 16-21 in Stone Mountain and Tucker.
• A full array of vocational services designed to prepare youth for independent living.

Boggs Intensive Residential Adolescent Boys Treatment Program
4729 Quaker Road
Keysville, Georgia 30816
Phone: 706-554-1005
FAX: 706-554-7006

• 24 hours therapeutic community
• Intensive residential substance abuse treatment
• Adolescent boys ages 13-17
• Individual, group and family counseling
• On-campus school
• Vocational component
• On call medical/psychiatric service

This Is a FREE Program, Funded by the Georgia Department of Human Resources.

Project Safe Place
901 Fourth Street
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Phone: 770-469-8480 ext. 229
Hotline: 800-621-4000

Safe Place is a nationally acclaimed program to assist young people in crisis. Safe Place is an alternative to running away or remaining silent about abuse. Safe Place partners are business leaders and community volunteers. The Safe Place sign at a business location tells a child it is a safe place to come for help. A volunteer meets with the child and takes the young person to a shelter or releases him or her to their parent. Safe Place makes help available whenever and wherever a child needs it.

CARES Program
2818 Lakewood Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30315
Phone: 404-761-7485
Fax: 404-761-8427

• At-risk and substance abusing youth ages 12-18 in Atlanta Metro region, Fulton County and Dekalb County
• Outreach and pretreatment services for youth affected by HIV/AIDS
• Expansive referral network
• Free rapid HIV testing and counseling
• Education through pamphlets, impromptu discussions during outreach, community events and school presentations
• Free Safe sex kits

DJJ IRTP
3431 Mike Padgett Hwy
Augusta, GA 30906
Phone: 706-772-9722
Fax: 706-798-5422

The Intensive Treatment Program has trained Clinical Counselors/Therapists/Educators who provide a Therapeutic program to assist adolescents address not only the symptoms of the disorder/addiction but develop skills that will enhance their knowledge of "root causes and pre/post onsets."

• Long term "Recovery Concept"
• Therapeutic Community Curriculum
• 12 Step model
• Community support systems of AA/NA/CA/MA weekly
• Stages of Change model
• Family Therapy
• Dual Diagnosis Program

Methamphetamine Adult Intensive Outpatient Services

• Adult Substance Abuse Outpatient Services
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Adult Assessment and Referral
• Methamphetamine Specific Drug Treatment Services and Education Programs
• Mobile Assessment and Outreach Services
• Weekly Random Urine Tests
• Individual and Family Counseling
• Case management and Crisis Intervention
• Utilization of Evidenced-Base Matrix Model Treatment Service Approach
• Aftercare and Follow-up Services

Services Locations
Region One- Rome Georgia Office
2201 Shorter Ave.
Rome, GA 30165
Phone: 706-235-1313
Fax: 706-235-1315

Region Two-Augusta Georgia Office
2368 Barton Chapel Road
Augusta, GA 30930
Phone: 706-790-1689
Fax: 706-790-1691

Region Three-Atlanta Georgia Office
2818 Lakewood Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30315
Phone: 404-761-7485
Fax: 404-761-8427

Danny

[alcoholics anonymous]

Listen here son, stop trying to be like Ursus!

[Ursus]

Here is a short bio of the program, a different sort of treatment program.

What exactly do you mean by "different?" They utilize a therapeutic community modality just like all the other programs here. They started as a hardcore drug rehab TC, yet another friggin' Synanon. I'd classify them as a public sector gulag, working through the juvenile justice system for the most part.

Danny, if you're gonna copy all this stuff from someone's website, you should at least have the courtesy to acknowledge their efforts and info with a source link. Jeeeeezzz.

Not sure of the exact internal page designations, but here's the website for WestCare, from which Danny's material appears to have been obtained: http://www.westcare.com/

[Troll Control]

I'm sure it won't be long before similar stories begin to percolate from Ridge Creek*, Len Buccellato's new private juvenile jail.

*not sure of the juvy lockup name, but it is colocated with Ridge Creek.

[DannyB II]

:shamrock:  :shamrock:

   

 DannyB II wrote:Here is a short bio of the program, a different sort of treatment program.


What exactly do you mean by "different?" They utilize a therapeutic community modality just like all the other programs here. They started as a hardcore drug rehab TC, yet another friggin' Synanon. I'd classify them as a public sector gulag, working through the juvenile justice system for the most part.

 What exactly do you mean by "different?" They utilize a therapeutic community modality just like all the other programs here.

Ursus you know what the nice part about my rebuttal is I am going to speak from first hand experience whereas you will speak from reading some web site. There is very little that goes on in Georgia that I don't know about in regards to treatment centers.
This particular facility is dealing with hardcore criminals whereas other facilities not so. That is a start OK, with me so far Urie.
So lets not get to crazy in our similarities, there idea of treatment modality is 3 hots and a cot with a group or two a week to diagnose personality disorders. They are not trying to rehabilitate.

They started as a hardcore drug rehab TC, yet another friggin' Synanon. I'd classify them as a public sector gulag, working through the juvenile justice system for the most part.

Your not even close (at this facility) where the allege rape happened. Gulag, I don't think the boys staying here would go for that.
These are mostly indigent .
 

Danny, if you're gonna copy all this stuff from someone's website, you should at least have the courtesy to acknowledge their efforts and info with a source link

. Jeeeeezzz.
[/quote]

Why don't we watch are tone of writing there my dear. I thought that was your job. Ya kno following up on Danny's errors.
I always thought it helped you to feel superior. Quik boost to the ego.


Danny

[alcoholics anonymous]

Ursus you know what the nice part about my rebuttal is I am going to speak from first hand experience whereas you will speak from reading some web site. There is very little that goes on in Georgia that I don't know about in regards to treatment centers.
This particular facility is dealing with hardcore criminals whereas other facilities not so. That is a start OK, with me so far Urie.
So lets not get to crazy in our similarities, there idea of treatment modality is 3 hots and a cot with a group or two a week to diagnose personality disorders. They are not trying to rehabilitate.

Speaking from first hand experience being in a treatment center ya' drunk?

[Ursus]

Here is a short bio of the program, a different sort of treatment program.

What exactly do you mean by "different?" They utilize a therapeutic community modality just like all the other programs here.

Ursus you know what the nice part about my rebuttal is I am going to speak from first hand experience whereas you will speak from reading some web site. There is very little that goes on in Georgia that I don't know about in regards to treatment centers.
This particular facility is dealing with hardcore criminals whereas other facilities not so. That is a start OK, with me so far Urie.
So lets not get to crazy in our similarities, there idea of treatment modality is 3 hots and a cot with a group or two a week to diagnose personality disorders. They are not trying to rehabilitate.

They started as a hardcore drug rehab TC, yet another friggin' Synanon. I'd classify them as a public sector gulag, working through the juvenile justice system for the most part.

Your not even close (at this facility) where the allege rape happened. Gulag, I don't think the boys staying here would go for that.
These are mostly indigent .

Hmm. Not only does WestCare employ therapeutic community modalities in their treatment programs, but they partner with ex-Synanon folk for some of their jail contracts.

From WestCare's 2008 Annual Report (44pp, 2759k PDF), color emphasis added:

In November 2006, WestCare entered into partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) to provide substance abuse treatment services at the Sheridan Correctional Center. The Sheridan Correctional Center Program is an adult male, 950-bed Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) licensed, totally dedicated in-prison substance abuse program designed to provide long-term intensive treatment services for incarcerated males. The program is 9 to 24 months in length, and services are provided using a three-phase (orientation, treatment and prerelease reentry/reintegration), modified therapeutic community (TC) model. Once the men complete treatment at Sheridan, they participate in additional postrelease case management, job preparedness services and funded aftercare treatment and housing services in the community, as well as assistance with reintegration back into society. Recognized as a national reentry model, this program is the largest fully dedicated, prison-based treatment program in the country. Funding for the Sheridan Correctional Center is provided through a contract with IDOC.

Drawing from WestCare's experience, the Sheridan substance abuse program was developed using "best practice" clinical and behavioral approaches. The Sheridan Correctional Center TC model incorporates assessment; individual and group counseling; vocational skills training; alcohol and drug education classes; relapse prevention; cognitive restructuring/behavior modification; critical thinking errors; violence reduction; and family counseling, as well as a wide variety of other services to meet the needs of the participant.

WestCare works closely with IDOC administrative, security, program, and support staff through regular meetings, development of shared procedures, and planned cross trainings to achieve a seamless and well-articulated set of expectations for both staff and inmate participants. WestCare values our Sheridan partnerships and has a commitment to work closely with TASC, Safer Foundation, the Illinois Valley Community College, the Illinois Manufacturing Foundation, and the National Homebuilders Association, to ensure communication and collaboration between all stakeholders.

WestCare has partnered with the Amity Foundation, Inc., to implement the well-researched and recognized Amity Model for in-custody TC, and with Extensions LLC to provide the TC staff training and specialized TC curriculum. Use of a curriculum provides hands-on training so that a participant is not just exposed to the structure of a TC, but also learns why they are exposed to the structure and their role in maintaining that structure. This knowledge aids participants in their continual self-examination.[/list]

And just who are Amity Foundation, Inc. and Extensions LLC?

• Amity Foundation, Inc.: A therapeutic community initially run by long-term former Synanites Naya Arbiter, Rod Mullen, and Bette Fleishman (each having been part of Synanon ?10 years during the 1970s). Initially Amity's focus was on "helping troubled youth," later their focus was on incorporating TCs into the correctional system with government contracts (much more lucrative). Despite Amity's very convoluted and overly complicated history filled with lots of scandal, character assassination, and financial misdeeds, they currently hold a number of prison contracts.

• Extensions LLC: A consulting group run by Naya Arbiter.

--------------

See also:

Phoenix New Times
Children of Synanon

An acclaimed Tucson drug-treatment program went suddenly, mysteriouly bankrupt. Administrators blame the board of directors. But others are questioning the administrators and their history at the notorious drug-treatment empire known as Synanon.

By John Dougherty
October 10, 1996

[Joel]

Edited: Wednesday, October 06, 2010

[DannyB II]

Edited..duplicate

[DannyB II]

Edited Duplicate

[alcoholics anonymous]

Danny you idiot please learn how to use the quote function correctly.

[Ursus]

Which should then give you a good picture of what this facility is like where this rape happened. I am only referring to this particular facility. My only argument here Ursus is "at the facility in question concerning the rape" I believe they are not trying to hard to implement any standard therapeutic modalities as you are say'in. That's all. Other then that little point I was trying to make, I'm on board with everything else you are say'in. Any help I could give to shut down this enterprise please let me know. WestCare is known throughout Georgia as a warehouse for criminals with very little rehab, how else could 4 goons manage to wrestle a dude down and shove a stick up his behind. Nobody heard this or saw this, where were the cameras ect....
So please go on with your bad self and get'em.

If you're implying or under the impression that I am or was saying that they make healthy use of "therapy" for these kids, you're sadly mistaken. Like I said, "They started as a hardcore drug rehab TC, yet another friggin' Synanon." That is to say, C-U-L-T. Just wanna make sure we're clear on this.

I am not exactly a fan of therapeutic communities. Though... to each his own, I guess, presuming one is talking about adults exercising their own free will. I think they can be incredibly psychologically destructive to kids.

As far "where was the camera" is concerned? It was broken. It would have cost $660 to fix it. I think that pretty much sums up just where WestCare's priorities are, in case anyone's still wondering.

[Whooter]

I think it is a little deceiving and misleading to the readers to assume they have adopted the  synanon approach because of the connection that west Care partnered with Amity Foundation which had ties to Synanon in its past.  That’s 40 or 50 years ago I believe.  The important question is what are they doing today?

I would think it would be important to understand if they are still incorporating the confrontational approach and group encounters into their program.  Do they strive to create a cult atmosphere and enroll family members, do they have synanon members who kidnap and kill people and if so has this been documented, are people allowed to leave after their time is up? etc….  To just say  “Oh, this place is connected to this one who use to employ these people”  really doesn’t mean anything today.  It might have meant something back then, but does it now?

Ursus, If you had a past relative who committed murder it doesn’t mean that you should be treated any differently or denied employment because of your blood ties to this person.  We need to look at what is going on in the present, what you stand for and are doing today.

Do you see what I am saying?  We can all be traced back to 9 common people.  So everything is related at some point, good and bad.



...