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Georgia Department of Human Resources,
Office of Regulatory Services State Form
Statement of Deficiencies
and Plan of Correction
Inspection begin date
Inspection end date:
11/8/2010
1/13/2011
Name of Provider or Supplier
RIDGE CREEK, INC
Street Address, City, State Zip Code
830 HIDDEN LAKE RD
DAHLONEGA, GA 30533
Inspection Results
As of: Saturday, February 26, 2011
R 0000 Opening Comments.
The purpose of this visit was to investigate 88739 linked to 88735.
R 0840 290-2-5-.08(6) Staffing.
SS=F
Staffing. The institution shall have sufficient numbers of qualified and trained staff as required by these rules to
provide for the needs, care, protection, and supervision of children. All staff and volunteers shall be supervised to
ensure that assigne
This Requirement is not met as evidenced by:
****Based on record review, resident and staff interviews, the agency failed to provide for the
needs, care, protection, and supervision of the children in care.
Findings Include:
Incident #1
(1) During an interview on November 8, 2010 at about 12:39 PM with Resident #1, Resident #1
indicated she/he had engaged in consensual sexual activity with Resident #2 in the school
bathroom on 10-21-2010. Resident #1 indicated that two weeks prior to the incident on 10-21-10,
Resident #1 and Resident #2 engaged in sexual activity several times in various locations on
campus in which one incident (date unknown) occurred behind a tree on the soccer field while
another incident occurred (date unknown) on the downstairs balcony lodge. Resident #1
indicated that there was neither staff supervision nor witnesses to either of the incidents.
(2) During an interview on January 13, 2011 at about 4:15 PM with Resident #3, Resident #3
indicated that she/he was informed by Resident #2 that Resident #2 had engaged in several
sexual encounters with Resident #1 on the campus to include sexual activity which occurred on
the soccer field.
(3) Record review on November 8, 2010 of Incident Report dated 10-22-2010 completed by Staff C,
Page 1 of 3
More Information Return to Facility Location and Information Guide Return to Inspection Screen
Georgia Department of Human Resources,
Office of Regulatory Services State Form
Statement of Deficiencies
and Plan of Correction
Inspection begin date
Inspection end date:
11/8/2010
1/13/2011
Name of Provider or Supplier
RIDGE CREEK, INC
Street Address, City, State Zip Code
830 HIDDEN LAKE RD
DAHLONEGA, GA 30533
Inspection Results
As of: Saturday, February 26, 2011
Staff C documented that she/he received notification of a report of two residents who had
engaged in sexual activity in the bathroom at school. An investigation was conducted and
camera records were reviewed on 10-21-2010 which revealed that around 8:17 AM Resident #1
was observed entering the girls bathroom and approximately 2 minutes later Resident #2 was
observed entering the same bathroom. The residents were observed 8 minutes later exiting the
bathroom and returning to their respective classrooms. There was no staff present to monitor the
residents as they went to the bathroom.
0
(4) During an interview on November 8, 2010 at about 1:06 PM with Staff A, Staff A indicated that
it is the agency's protocol that residents are not allowed to go to the bathroom during class (they
have designated breaks). However, if they are allowed to go to the bathroom during class, then
the teachers are to notify staff in order to monitor residents in the hallway. The protocol was not
followed and the residents were allowed to go to the bathroom unsupervised.
Incident #2
(5) Record review on November 8, 2010 of Incident Report dated 10-21-2010 revealed that
Resident #2 was placed on one to one staff escort after displaying suicidal ideations/attempts
several times during the day. The incident report indicated that on 10-21-2010 an emergency
safety intervention was utilized to prevent Resident #2 from causing harm to him/herself.
Resident #2 was placed on staff escort pending transport and admission to a treatment facility. In
addition, a review of Incident Report dated 10-22-2010 indicated that Resident #2 went to the
bathroom, while still on one to one staff escort, followed by another resident (unknown) who
found Resident #2 with a cord around his neck. Neither of the residents were escorted by staff to
the bathroom. The unknown resident then sought staff assistance who was able to cut Resident
#2 down before she/he lost consciousness. Resident #2 did not suffer any injury. Resident #2
was transported to the hospital for evaluation in which she/he was 1013'd.
(6) During an interview on November 8, 2010 at about 11:13 am with Staff B, Staff B indicated that
Resident #2 has a history of self injurious behaviors which occurred several months prior to the
incident on 10-22-10. Resident #1 had not exhibited any suicidal ideations since August 2010.
Resident #2 was placed on supervision precaution after exhibiting suicidal ideations a couple of
days prior to the incident.
This rule was previously cited on 09-09-2010 and 07-21-2010.
Page 2 of 3
More Information Return to Facility Location and Information Guide Return to Inspection Screen
Georgia Department of Human Resources,
Office of Regulatory Services State Form
Statement of Deficiencies
and Plan of Correction
Inspection begin date
Inspection end date:
11/8/2010
1/13/2011
Name of Provider or Supplier
RIDGE CREEK, INC
Street Address, City, State Zip Code
830 HIDDEN LAKE RD
DAHLONEGA, GA 30533
Inspection Results
As of: Saturday, February 26, 2011
R 9999 Closing Comments.
A brief exit conference was conducted on December 4, 2010. A preliminary report was e-mailed to
the agency on December 10, 2010. A formal written plan of correction is due to the surveyor 10
days after receipt of this final Statement of Deficiencies.
Page 3 of 3
More Information Return to Facility Location and Information Guide Return to Inspection Screen

HEAL has great information for parents on Ridge Creek and why your child should not go there!!! Please read!


http://www.heal-online.org/ridgecreek.htm

Excerpt from HEAL's web site:

Grievance Policy (page 1)

"Conflict Resolution Policy"

"While a student is enrolled at Ridge Creek, parents, guardians, or referral sources that have concerns regarding the program's treatment of a student should first make those concerns known to the class counselor assigned to work with a student.  The class counselor will, in turn, make the issue(s) known to the Team Leader, and Directors who will insure that all allegations and/or concerns are investigated and resolved appropriately."

"Once a student is no longer in the Ridge Creek program, parents, guardians, or referral sources should contact either the Director of Admissions or the Director of Counseling with any concerns regarding the program's treatment of a student."

"In addition to the above procedures, parents, guardians, or referral sources may contact the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Office of Regulatory Services Division.  Ridge Creek is licensed by this agency as a Therapeutic Camp, and will fully cooperate with any and all inquiries or investigations made by independently or on behalf of student's representatives."

*Credit Card Authorization Form and some other forms  will not be addressed in the review, but, HEAL is concerned about families entrusting their credit card information to programs such as Ridge Creek School.  HEAL has reviewed all of the forms linked above and as many repeat issues raised on other forms, we have chosen not to repeat it.
The major concern here is that Ridge Creek does not specify a grievance procedure for children in the program.  This suggests such a procedure does not exist and raises serious concerns regarding the safety of children at Ridge Creek.

It is a major concern that the majority of the complaint process is handled in-house.  This will delay investigation and provide ample time to cover-up abuses that may have occurred.  And, it hampers the ability of the proper authorities to investigate properly when serious allegations come to light.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources no longer exists.  It has been replaced by the Georgia Department of Human Services.  There is no Office of Regulatory Services Division listed on the Department of Human Services website.  HEAL assumes that the current office in charge of "regulating" facilities such as Ridge Creek School is the Residential Child Care Office.  We found three listings for Ridge Creek, which include Ridge Creek, Inc. (Child Caring Institution), Ridge Creek, Inc.-Mountain Brook Academy (Child Caring Institution), and another for Ridge Creek, Inc. (Outdoor Program).  For Ridge Creek, Inc. (Institution), the state of Georgia has no information on whether or not Ridge Creek is accredited and does not show any information regarding the administration of this program.  However, the hyperlink above includes some of the inspection reports made by authorities.  Many of these reports are also available and linked through our site at www.heal-online.org/hidden.htm.  In January, 2010, the state of Georgia found violations when investigating Ridge Creek, Inc. - Mountain Brook Academy.  Again, all three programs listed share the same address and the state does not know how many children are even in the programs.  Check the hyperlinks for more information.  Ridge Creek, Inc. (Outdoor Program) shows that the administrator is Steve Sorrels.  The linked government site also includes inspection reports for the "wilderness" program and claims a current enrollment in the wilderness program as 64 children as of December 4th, 2010.  It appears that it may be possible that the "wilderness" program is the only program in "good standing" with the state of Georgia that is offered through the services of Ridge Creek, Inc.  And, as the other programs operating at the same location have been in repeat trouble with families and authorities, we advise against placing any child in this program or affiliate programs.

http://www.heal-online.org/hidden.htm

Another HLA "success" story... Taylor Hurst murdered his pregnant fiancee.

Gosh - why doesn't Ridge Creek use him as their Poster Boy?

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/featu ... rpass-2009

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 60661/1116 [list=][/list]