Aspen Education's Systematic Child Abuse

[Dysfunction Junction]

Great point, Anne.  Abuse is SYSTEMIC at Aspen Education.  Spinning to try to make it seem as if all of these abuses are isolated incidents doesn't fly.

[Anne Bonney]

Yup!!  

Sorry to quote myself again but, this is such an important point.  It's, say it with me now, S-Y-S-T-E-M-I-C!!!  It's not "isolated incidents" or just "poorly trained staff".....its systemic to how they actually "work".  THAT is what's abusive, among many other things.



From the Complaint and Order to Correct Conditions, color emphasis added:

In October 2009, the Office of Investigations and Training (OIT) completed its investigation and determined that eight allegations of abuse involving five individual students were substantiated against the agency, Mt. Bachelor Academy. The report indicates that the abuse allegations are "exemplars" in that these five clients' experience is not unique and is "substantially consistent" with the experience of all children enrolled in the program. The report further substantiated an allegation of abuse against the Executive Director. The Executive Director either knew of the abusive practices of the agency, or she should have known what was happening under her authority.[/list]

From the above transcribed Order of Emergency License Suspension:

Ultimate Findings of Fact: DHS finds that due to MBA's abuse and neglect of students and violations of the licensing rules listed above, MBA poses a serious danger to public health or safety should MBA be permitted to continue operating as a therapeutic boarding school for children. DHS finds that a condition exists that immediately endangers the health or safety of the children at MBA should MBA be permitted to continue providing therapeutic, educational and residential services to children.[/list]

Pretty much all that needs to be said is in this quote.  They found that the "exemplars" experience is "not unique and is substantially consistent" with what "ALL CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM" [/u][/color][/size] were/are exposed to.  Since the "exemplars" experience was found to be abusive, and that said experience is substantially consistent with what ALL the rest of the kids there go thru........all the kids there were abused by virtue of simply being exposed to the program's methodology.  Why is this so difficult to grasp?[/color]

Sorry to quote myself but, this is such an important point.  It's, say it with me now, S-Y-S-T-E-M-I-C!!!  It's not "isolated incidents" or just "poorly trained staff".....its systemic to how they actually "work".  THAT is what's abusive, among many other things.

[Whooter]

The state of Oregon came out and stated they jumped the gun and spoke out before the had all the evidence.  They have since revised these statements.



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[Anne Bonney]

The state of Oregon came out and stated they jumped the gun and spoke out before the had all the evidence.  They have since revised these statements.

Really?  Where are these revised statements?  Citation please.

[Whooter]

The state of Oregon came out and stated they jumped the gun and spoke out before the had all the evidence.  They have since revised these statements.

Really?  Where are these revised statements?  Citation please.

Link



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[Anne Bonney]

The state of Oregon came out and stated they jumped the gun and spoke out before the had all the evidence.  They have since revised these statements.

Really?  Where are these revised statements?  Citation please.

Link

Citation to the actual revision please......not just a thread about what you think of it.  Where, specifically, did they revise what they originally said?

[Whooter]

The state of Oregon came out and stated they jumped the gun and spoke out before the had all the evidence.  They have since revised these statements.

Really?  Where are these revised statements?  Citation please.

Link

Citation to the actual revision please......not just a thread about what you think of it.  Where, specifically, did they revise what they originally said?

A statement from Phil Herschman, President of Aspen Education Group, on behalf of Mount Bachelor Academy:

We are pleased that the ongoing legal dispute between Mount Bachelor Academy (MBA) and the State of Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) has finally been satisfactorily resolved. The DHS has agreed to withdraw or modify all of its actions against MBA and MBA’s former director. The DHS’ withdrawal of its order suspending MBA’s license supports our position that they did not have justification for that order in the first place. The DHS has acknowledged with this settlement that in fact there was additional evidence no abuse had occurred.

As we have repeatedly stated throughout this process, our fundamental disagreements with the DHS' original allegations and consequent actions were strong and deep. We had collected abundant evidence that disproved those allegations, particularly the most egregious ones.

Despite the tragic circumstances of Mount Bachelor’s closure, we hope to open a new, even more successful school on the MBA campus in the future, and wish to publicly thank our skilled and dedicated employees who touched the lives of thousands of troubled teens for more than two decades at MBA, and the loyal alumni and families who steadfastly supported us.



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[Dysfunction Junction]

The bottom line is that Aspen folded their tent and ran from the issues.  If there was no "there" there, they wouldn't have folded up like a cheap suitcase.

Oregon built a solid case against them and Aspen knew it couldn't keep the case private without an agreement to voluntarily close up shop.  They sued the state and then agreed to settle.  The settlement included that Aspen would cease and desist.  When the shit hit the fan they lawyered up, did damage control and ultimately, by their actions, admitted guilt.

Whooter will only continously offer up a PR statement from Aspen and hold that out as "proof" that charges were dropped, but they weren't.  He has no documentation other than some Aspen PR spin that he spam-posts.

[Whooter]

The bottom line is that Aspen folded their tent and ran from the issues.  If there was no "there" there, they wouldn't have folded up like a cheap suitcase.

Oregon built a solid case against them and Aspen knew it couldn't keep the case private without an agreement to voluntarily close up shop.  They sued the state and then agreed to settle.  The settlement included that Aspen would cease and desist.  When the shit hit the fan they lawyered up, did damage control and ultimately, by their actions, admitted guilt.

Whooter will only continously offer up a PR statement from Aspen and hold that out as "proof" that charges were dropped, but they weren't.  He has no documentation other than some Aspen PR spin that he spam-posts.

The State of Oregon backed off after they had time to look at the evidence.  If you believe otherwise then let us know when the trial begins and we will all take a look.



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[Dysfunction Junction]

There's no evidence of this other than your Aspen PR report.  The fact is that MBA is gone.  They're closed.  If they did nothing wrong, wouldn't they still be operating?  I think we all agree that they would be.  But they aren't.  Not sure what "trial" you're referencing since there was a settlement already that resulted in MBA being out of business.  

Actions speak louder than words and Aspen's action was to close up shop which doesn't jive with their PR spin.  Sorry, but you just have no credibility on this issue, Whooter, since you already admit being an Aspen fiduciary.  No offense, but you can't be believed.

[Whooter]

There's no evidence of this other than your Aspen PR report.  The fact is that MBA is gone.  They're closed.  If they did nothing wrong, wouldn't they still be operating?  I think we all agree that they would be.  But they aren't.  Not sure what "trial" you're referencing since there was a settlement already that resulted in MBA being out of business.  

Actions speak louder than words and Aspen's action was to close up shop which doesn't jive with their PR spin.  Sorry, but you just have no credibility on this issue, Whooter, since you already admit being an Aspen fiduciary.  No offense, but you can't be believed.

Sorry DJ, but again you can think what you like.  The state of Oregon backed off.  If you want to refute their statements and Aspens statements in the news release then that is your right.  But myself and many other readers will rely on what the State of Oregon and their local news media reported on the case.



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[Anne Bonney]

Whooter, that's nothing more than a press release from Aspen Ed.  I'm asking you for the original citation where you say that the State 'revised' their original statement.  Can you or can you not provide that?

A statement from Phil Herschman, President of Aspen Education Group, on behalf of Mount Bachelor Academy:

We are pleased that the ongoing legal dispute between Mount Bachelor Academy (MBA) and the State of Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) has finally been satisfactorily resolved. The DHS has agreed to withdraw or modify all of its actions against MBA and MBA’s former director. The DHS’ withdrawal of its order suspending MBA’s license supports our position that they did not have justification for that order in the first place. The DHS has acknowledged with this settlement that in fact there was additional evidence no abuse had occurred.

As we have repeatedly stated throughout this process, our fundamental disagreements with the DHS' original allegations and consequent actions were strong and deep. We had collected abundant evidence that disproved those allegations, particularly the most egregious ones.

Despite the tragic circumstances of Mount Bachelor’s closure, we hope to open a new, even more successful school on the MBA campus in the future, and wish to publicly thank our skilled and dedicated employees who touched the lives of thousands of troubled teens for more than two decades at MBA, and the loyal alumni and families who steadfastly supported us.

[Dysfunction Junction]

You haven't shown a single shred of evidence to support your position other than an Aspen PR release.  Do you have documentation from the State of Oregon?  Do you have any source documents?  No, of course you don't.  Not to mention, MBA is CLOSED.  If they did nothing wrong, they'd be OPEN.

[Anne Bonney]

But myself and many other readers will rely on what the State of Oregon and their local news media reported on the case.

Then provide the citation where the State backed off of their original statement.

[Whooter]

Whooter, that's nothing more than a press release from Aspen Ed.  I'm asking you for the original citation where you say that the State 'revised' their original statement.  Can you or can you not provide that?

A statement from Phil Herschman, President of Aspen Education Group, on behalf of Mount Bachelor Academy:

We are pleased that the ongoing legal dispute between Mount Bachelor Academy (MBA) and the State of Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) has finally been satisfactorily resolved. The DHS has agreed to withdraw or modify all of its actions against MBA and MBA’s former director. The DHS’ withdrawal of its order suspending MBA’s license supports our position that they did not have justification for that order in the first place. The DHS has acknowledged with this settlement that in fact there was additional evidence no abuse had occurred.

As we have repeatedly stated throughout this process, our fundamental disagreements with the DHS' original allegations and consequent actions were strong and deep. We had collected abundant evidence that disproved those allegations, particularly the most egregious ones.

Despite the tragic circumstances of Mount Bachelor’s closure, we hope to open a new, even more successful school on the MBA campus in the future, and wish to publicly thank our skilled and dedicated employees who touched the lives of thousands of troubled teens for more than two decades at MBA, and the loyal alumni and families who steadfastly supported us.

If you read the newspaper article it covers what the state of Oregon had to say on MBA and what Aspen Ed had to say in the same article.  I have to go with what the news media in Oregon reported on the issue for now.  If you want to believe something else that is fine.  I am just reporting the facts and I provided links to support my point of view.



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