Two runaways hit by a train - again

[Oscar]

Opposite the two runaways from Robert Land Academy. they survived their meeting with public transport.

Two Runaways Hit by Train
Milam County Sheriff's Office Press Release, KBTX,  September 12, 2011

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On Saturday evening the Milam County Sheriff's Office received a call from Resolution Ranch, a therapeutic residential facility for troubled teenage boys, located outside of Cameron. At approximately 3:30 Monday morning Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail-road officials contacted the Sheriff's Office to report that one of their trains called in that they had just hit two juveniles who were laying on the tracks.

The staff at Resolution Ranch reported that one 16 year old resident and a 17 year old resident had run-away from their facility. Deputies and staff searched the areas on foot, by four-wheeler and by car, however due to the heavily wooded area they could not be located.

Deputies spotted the subjects on foot in the Milano area Sunday evening; however they eluded authorities again in a densely wooded area north of Highway 36. At approximately 3:30 Monday morning Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail-road officials contacted the Sheriff's Office to report that one of their trains called in that they had just hit two juveniles who were laying on the tracks. The area reported was just east of Milam County Road 348 Loop off of U.S. Highway 79 near Gause.

Deputy Dixon and American Medical Response arrived at the scene to find that both the boys had sustained serious injuries but were still alive. Milano and Gause Fire Departments arrived and set up a landing zone where two helicopters came in and transported the subjects to Scott and White in Temple, their condition is unknown.
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[325troll]

There will be a "survivor" or two who'll blame it on the program.  Children who jump in front of a train have serious mental problems.  They were better off in a mental hospital and hopefully they learned their lesson!  lol

[Wh??ter]

There will be a "survivor" or two who'll blame it on the program.  Children who jump in front of a train have serious mental problems.  They were better off in a mental hospital and hopefully they learned their lesson!  lol

I agree.  These kids had serious problems and their parents should have chosen a program with a lockdown capability to keep these kids safe.  This is the parents' fault.



...

[Ursus]

There will be a "survivor" or two who'll blame it on the program.  Children who jump in front of a train have serious mental problems.  They were better off in a mental hospital and hopefully they learned their lesson!  lol

I agree.  These kids had serious problems and their parents should have chosen a program with a lockdown capability to keep these kids safe.  This is the parents' fault.

The description in the article said nothing about "jump[ing] in front of a train." The article stated that the two juveniles were hit because they were "laying on the tracks."

Not a whole lotta clearance here:

[/list]

[Pile of Dead Kids]

Nobody lies down on train tracks unless they intend to die. Attempted double suicide.

[325troll]

Not even the anti program "survivors" are crying about this post. lol

[Ursus]

Does anyone know how these kids are doing, medically speaking?

From the facility's website:

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ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

The Program Director

Upon arrival at Resolution Ranch, your teen will be assessed by our program director. The Program Director will design and implement an individual plan of therapy suited to your teens needs. Throughout your teen's stay at Resolution Ranch, he will meet with the therapist on a regular basis as his progress is reassessed and updated constantly.

The Counselors

Counselors live with the residents and supervise them 24 hours a day. They are the first to respond when your teen behaves inappropriately. They act as immediate mentors and role models and will be your primary contact for your regular progress reports.

The Community

Our program utilizes the power of the teen's peer group to counter negative behaviors and reinforce positive behaviors. A "group" can be called at any time by any member of the community. Group therapy sessions allow feelings to be fully expressed in a structured environment. Teens offer feedback to help lift one another up and, in the process, strengthen their own commitment to recovery.

Nature

Away from the noise of the modern world, our natural setting is the perfect place to quiet our minds and witness the miracles around us. Your teen will receive instruction in horticulture, learning to garden and nurture growth in living things. We also utilize our 450 acre ranch for camping trips and wilderness adventures that will demonstrate the possibilities of teamwork and community.

The 12 Steps

Our modified 12-step program utilizes the strengths of the 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous as they apply to teens. 12 Step programs have long offered a spiritual answer to those seeking help with the hardships of addiction.

The R.A.N.C.H. Experience

The R.A.N.C.H. experience is the level system through which residents must progress in order to graduate our program. It emphasizes 5 concepts for study during each level and each of these concepts requires an activity or response writing that is read and evaluated by a counselor. Each level is designed to increase your teen's powers of introspection and rational self-evaluation.

[wdtony]

If this program is so wonderful, as the pictures of smiling boys seems to portray....then why would these boys run away?

I am interested in hearing if the local police will take statements from the boys giving reason as to why they ran. I don't know how bad they were hurt but this might be the only way to stay out of a program.

I would rather be hit by a train than go back into first phase at KHK.

I think they probably needed transportation away and the train was the only type that wouldn't ask questions...I know, I used to jump trains. And in Texas it can get pretty cold at night.....laying on the tracks would provide some warmth. They were probably so exhausted from being on the run that the sound of the train didn't wake them up.

That's just my guess.

[Che Gookin]

Uhh.. so wait...

This happened before as well?

Why didn't the staff just go down to the railroad tracks and wait for the kids to show up if this has happened in the past?

It's what I used to do in the valley. I'd get called out on a run away and I'd go sit down by one of the three places the kids actually had to use to get out of the valley if they didn't want to go jump in a river that was either freezing assed cold or had snakes in it.

A good 75 percent of the time they'd come sneaking by and either I or some other guy would just say, "Hey you.. come on.. time to go back," and without fail they'd come along with us no fuss or trouble.

I remember one time I was on a runaway call and got the report that the kid walked up to the road, waited till he saw a staffer's car he recognized, and flagged the guy down for a lift back to the program.

Mind you, not all runaways resolved themselves like this. One kid went got out and stole car after car and made it from Alabama all the way to Oregon or something before he got caught by the police.

I deffo need to run that kid down and get his details for the Runaway guide.

[Ursus]

Uhh.. so wait...

This happened before as well?

Why didn't the staff just go down to the railroad tracks and wait for the kids to show up if this has happened in the past?

I think Oscar was making an oblique reference to two runaways from a different program* ... who did not survive their encounter with a train. From the OP:

Opposite the two runaways from Robert Land Academy. they survived their meeting with public transport.[/list]


* [Matt Toppi (age 17) and Chris Brown (age 16) died after getting hit by a train while attempting to escape from Robert Land Academy.]

[Oscar]

While creating the datasheet of the facility we found a number of reasons for the teenagers not to remain at the facility.

From their parent enrollment packet:

Code Red

A Code Red, though extremely rare, is issued when there is a series of problems or issues, which grossly affect the quality and safety of the camp environment—fights, AWOP, trespassers, or equally severe incidents require Code Red status. Here, the entire camp is placed on an isolation status. This is an extreme measure used only in dire times. The Code Red is lifted when order has been restored and attitudes are brought into line.

Resident Code Red Rules:
1.   Quit what you are doing.
2.   No talking.
3.   Follow your counselor to the dormitory.
4.   Line up for headcount.
5.   Take your shoes off.
6.   Sit in your bed.
7.   No communicating of any kind with other residents.
8.   Raise your hand to speak to a counselor.
9.   No sleeping or slouching.
10.   Nothing may be in you hands.

and it goes

Consequences as Learning Experiences

Zeros

Zeros are a reminder that a rule has been broken, and when a resident receives a zero they are expected to change their actions immediately. When a counselor gives a zero, the proper response is “Thank you,” followed by a positive behavior shift.  If a resident argues or talks back to a counselor after he receives a zero, or he will be issued another.
Each counselor will have a zero log sheet on them at all times, and zeros will be tallied and recorded on the white board periodically throughout the day.  Each zero equates to 45 minutes of work detail on Sunday (i.e., 3 zeros in a week means you must put in 2 hours and 15 minutes of work the following Sunday).

When a resident receives 3 zeros in one day, they will receive one day of Work Detail (see below). A resident who receives 5 zeros in a week will have L.O.P. (see below) for one week.  A resident who receives 7 or more zeros in one week will be assigned 3-5 days of Work Detail, followed by some degree of L.O.P. for one week.

Insight Writing

A popular learning experience used in Resolution Ranch is called insight-writing assignments.  Insight writing assignments vary in length, content, and time allotted to complete depending on the resident and offense.  All reports must be completed on time, and completely to the counselor who assigned it.  Failure to do so is a Cardinal Offense.  
   
Some examples of when insight writing would be employed are as follows:

1:  A resident keeps glorifying drugs after several redirections and zeros.  A counselor assigns him a 10-page report on 10 reasons it is inappropriate to glorify drugs at Resolution Ranch.

2:  A resident keeps going for seconds at dinner and throwing away most of his food.  A counselor gives him a redirection to raise his awareness, and assigns him a 5-page report on Starvation and Malnutrition.

3:  A resident keeps speaking out in group, and interrupting other residents during their share time.  He has already received a zero for this today.  The facilitator of the group assigns him a 7-page report on “Why I should respect others.”

Extra Duties/Chores and GI

Extra duties and chores are often the best way to provide a reminder that a behavior is not appropriate. For instance, a resident who forgets to do one day of kitchen duties may be assigned to complete two days of kitchen duty the following week. A resident who neglects to wash his clothes one week may be assigned to do laundry every day the following week.

GI or General Inspection is a term used which means to thoroughly clean. This is another way in which a learning experience can reinforce a change in someone’s behaviors. For example, if you refused to clean your room in the morning, you might be directed to GI your room on Sunday.

Talk Ban

Talk Ban means exactly what it sounds like—your child is prohibited from talking.  For the duration of his ban, he may only communicate to staff and counselors with pen and paper.  He may use no communication at all with other residents.  This is meant to serve as an exercise in listening skills.  Given the severity of the ban, he may or may not be allowed to share in groups.

Loss of Privileges (L.O.P.)

L.O.P. or Loss of Privileges means that for a designated time your child loses certain privileges.  It is designed as a learning experience to increase his gratitude and make him appreciate what he is given.   L.O.P. has 3 degrees of increasing severity—that is the more privileges lost.

1st Degree: Loss of Recreational Time and Free Time (no movies, pool, group activities, outdoor activities, candy, soda, or dessert).  While on L.O.P. your child may not attempt to move up—moving up is a privilege, and if you are breaking rules, you are not displaying appropriate actions to move to a higher level.

2nd Degree: Loss of the above plus loss of special outings or activities (no camping trips, off property excursions, outside meetings, etc.).  You will also have extra duties and chores.

3rd Degree: Loss of the above plus Talk Ban and assigned insight writing.

Work Detail

If your child repeatedly offends, or break any Cardinal Rules, he will receive 1-5 days of Work Detail.  Work Detail is labor or chore intensive consequence in which residents are separated from the Ranch Community and all of its normal scheduled activities.  Residents are also on a 3rd Degree L.O.P. status.  Following a Work Detail shift, your child will have to write a 5-page report detailing why he got work detail, what he learned, and what the community can expect from him.  He will read this to the group, and they will give feedback.  He will be let back into the Ranch Community pending counselor approval.  Following any time spent on wok detail, your child will be on some degree of L.O.P. status for twice as many days as the served work detail shift.

Room Ban

On occasion if a resident becomes uncontrollably violent, or poses any threat to the safety and welfare to anyone in the Resolution Ranch Community, Room Ban will be employed.  While on room ban you must sit awake on your bed with no one else around except for a counselor or another appropriate staff member.