Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > Who Am I Discovery/Whitmore
Tweek & Peek don't like state's 'therapeutic' label
Joyce Harris:
[ This Message was edited by: Joyce Harris on 2006-03-31 19:54 ]
Anonymous:
--- Quote ---On 2005-04-29 10:23:00, Antigen wrote:
"http://sltrib.com/utah/ci_2695093
Private school doesn't like state's 'therapeutic' label
By Kirsten Stewart
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune
A private Utah school is fighting against state regulation, arguing it is not a "therapeutic" facility - which are covered by a new law that seeks to crack down on the state's thriving teen help industry.
Administrators at Whitmore Academy in Nephi say they run a boarding school, not a treatment facility catering to troubled teens. They are asking for an exemption to the new licensing category, which goes into effect on May 2.
But state Human Services licensing director Ken Stettler believes "they're hiding behind the moniker of a boarding school" to avoid state oversight.
"All the information they've provided to parents of kids there is they provide counseling for emotional growth and behavioral changes. They cater to kids who have failed in their settings at home," said Stettler.
The new law defines "therapeutic schools" as serving students "who have a history of failing to function at home or public school" and that offer "room and board and specialized structure or treatment related to a disability or emotional development."
Matt Sudweeks, who owns Whitmore with his wife, Cheryl, says he has gotten out of the teen-help business. Whitmore formerly also operated a residential treatment center. But Sudweeks surrendered the center's license last December after a student alleged he was physically and verbally abused at Whitmore.
Utah's Division of Child and Family Services substantiated eight counts of abuse and neglect. The facility is still under criminal investigation by the Juab County Attorney's Office.
Whitmore's attorney, Matt Hilton in Kaysville, says the school - now enrolling 32 students, ages 12 to 17 - employs an educational counselor, but does not submit students to therapy.
Said Sudweeks, "We're licensed with state Board of Education as a boarding school. We cater to kids having trouble in public school system."
Stettler says Whitmore is the only one of five schools under review for regulation to balk at the new rules.
Whitmore, located in a historic mansion on Nephi's Main Street, also was recently cited with numerous fire code violations.
Brent R. Halladay, assistant state fire marshal, says the school has until mid-May to update its automatic sprinkler and fire alarm systems, build a new set of stairs to provide more than one exit, install fire extinguishers and repair electrical problems. Halladay says the Sudweeks have "been very cooperative." But violations were such that, until they are corrected, Sudweeks is required to have someone keep fire watch over the building every day from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m.
The Christian faith from the beginning, is sacrifice: the sacrifice of all freedom, all pride, all self-confidence of spirit; it is at the same time subjection, a self-derision, and self-mutilation.
--Freidrich Nietzsche, German philosopher
--- End quote ---
"
--- End quote ---
Thanks Ginger ... good info ... though for the life of me I don't understand how a facility that is not in compliance with fire protection codes is allowed to remain open? With kids? Sheesh. Guess the state of Utah doesn't believe in Murphy's Law, eh?
FYI
See thread on the now-defunct Maximum Life Skills Academy which as I recall, was not in compliance with state licensing codes requiring them to have 2 counselors on duty at all times. That's just one example .. there are others ... such as Red Rock where Katie Lank died from severe head injuries after she fell down a deep crevice on an under-supervised hiking expedition.
Question?
Are the parents of these programs notified when a program in not in compliance with health and safety standards set by the state of Utah?
Seems to me the least they could do is send a letter to all parents disclosing this information so as to ensure the parent is aware????
:silly:
Joyce Harris:
Serious Question:
If this "Mansion" catches on fire, and kids are injured, or worse yet someone dies...and the fire marshal has already issued NUMEROUS fire code violations----who will be hed accountable?
Who is watching out for the safety of these kids locked up in this fire trap? WHO?
Why is this place not closed down until the Fire Marshal says: OK the Sudweeks are in compliance with EACH AND EVERY REQUIREMENT....NOW THEY CAN RE-OPEN.
WHY WHY WHY?
Cayo Hueso:
The more I think about this, the more it bothers me. WTF is wrong with the officials in Utah?? I mean this is crazy! Even if you don't believe what former "students" are saying about the place, THIS cannot be denied. How can anyone justify allowing this place to remain open when violations are apparently so aggregious that someone has to stay awake all night to keep FIRE WATCH????
Wonder if this new student's parents are aware of this??
A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit.
-- In the August 1993 issue, page 9, of PS magazine, the Army's magazine of preventive maintenance
--- End quote ---
Joyce Harris:
[ This Message was edited by: Joyce Harris on 2006-03-31 19:54 ]
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version