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An open discussion about the troubled parent industry

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP WITHIN THE STATE OF GEORGIA

There have been several parent contacts made regarding incidents that have had horrid consequences for their children at Ridge Creek School.  In addition, several staff members, both current and former, may not know where to go to report their concerns.

Your calls and emails are welcome, however, one can go directly to the ORCC, the Director of the ORCC, the ORCC investigators, and the Commissioner of the ORCC.  The ORCC has provided contact numbers and email for "intake" complaints or concerns.  

It's not a perfect system, but it is what is available.  Documents are important when filing any complaint or concern.

CONTACTS

Written complaint/concern - either anon or signed -  DHR "intake" :  email -  [email protected]  (Parents, staff, or students).

Call complaint/concern- Director of ORS/ORCC Dave Statton email - [email protected]  phone - 404-656-5680/404-463-3390 Email complaints concerns to:  [email protected]  (Parents, staff, students)

Call complaint/concern - Governor Deal -  404-656-1776  email - online  http://http://www.georgia.gov/00/gov/contact_us/0,2657,165937316_166563415,00.html  (Parents, staff, students)

More containment

Apparently there appears to be another injury due to negligence, among other things.  At this time, it  appears the injury was not reported to the ORS/ORCC/DFCS(waiting for confirmation). However, it has been stated that  EMS was not called, nor were the Lumpkin County Police.

New incriminating reports regarding RCS that are not yet public will be forthcoming once released.

There is much going on behind the scenes.


Update:The incident has now been reported to the ORCC via "intake."

If Highlands Preparatory does open in the fall, which to some appears iffy at this point, how will the Ridge Creek parents feel about their children being moved to the former Ridge Creek Wilderness compound?

It's was crazy notion to begin with and whomever thought this one up obviously needs their head examined.

Appears this spaceship may have landed in Dunwoody afterall ... as Assistant Headmaster, Brandon Hall ...  Hold the emails, hold the letters ... special deliveries will upset us ...  all we ask is that you let us ... deliver it... our way...

Pictures grandiose to perfection, exhibiting nature in all it's spendor .... testimonials colorful and verbose, ad nauseam...

"Welcome to Ridge Creek School"

The 210-acre Ridge Creek School campus offers its students a beautiful, pristine setting for recovery, self-discovery, and new achievements. Ridge Creek School is situated in the north Georgia Mountains, which provides students with access to the tranquility of nature. The 14-acre lake in the center of the Ridge Creek School campus is used for fishing and canoeing, and the Ridge Creek School dormitories have peaceful lake views.....

Those of us that know better are reminded of a 1984 Wendy's commercial that went viral featuring Clara Peller...  

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug75diEyiA0

Highlands Preparatory School  -     "Hold the beef and substitute lease."

Is Timothy Lawson gone??

History Teacher - new
Ridge Creek School - Dahlonega, GA DESCRIPTION Ridge Creek School, a therapeutic boarding school for adolescents with emotional and behavioral issues is currently looking to hire an additional... $28,000 - $32,000 a year
 
http://http://www.indeed.com/q-Ridge-Creek-School-jobs.html

History Teacher
Location: Dahlonega, GA
Salary Range: $28,000-$32,000
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Employment Type: Full Time
Department: Academics
Description: Ridge Creek School, a therapeutic boarding school for adolescents with emotional and behavioral issues is currently looking to hire an additional Math Teacher.
Duties:  Preparing and presenting course instruction to the students. This includes reviewing and critiquing the progress of each student, communicating to the appropriate staff members and any concerns and or recommendations as is necessary, adjusting the manner of presentation to meet individual student needs, and managing the classroom environment effectively and appropriately.
 Conducting a continuous self-critique of their individual teach strategies in order to make any adjustments necessary to ensure that we are meeting the needs of each student. Assistance is available from the Academic Administrative Staff.
 Completing assigned grading and progress reports and additional duties and turning in those assignments on the required date.
 Actively participate in non-academic activities with students on a daily basis.
 Interact with students in a professional and therapeutically appropriate manner including but not limited to the use of appropriate professional boundaries.
 Attend one student extra-curricular event per quarter.
 Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints in a confidential manner.
 Ability to apply principles of logic to a wide range of practical problems.
 Provide general supervision of the student population at all times while on campus.
 Complete other tasks as assigned by management.
Qualifications:  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in related field with qualification to teach that subject area.
 Georgia teaching certification is necessary.
 Ability to be insured and drive company vehicle.
 Ability to run, walk, and actively engage in other required physical activities with students.
 Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl periodically and as needed. Reach with arms and hands periodically as needed.

Question - DID THE ORCC REPORT THE BELOW AS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS?


Unfortunately no one appears to have the "brass", so to speak, to shut him down, or the guts to come forward after leaving HLA/ RCS.  I find it frighening that in the ORCC/ORS surveyor's report last fall, the surveyor noted "going to Ridge Creek Widlerness as an intervention."  The children being questioned answered that it was not a camp, but a tavern with wood floors ....  ring any bells?  He/she stated that he/she was there for 8 days ...  "THE CHALET."

Ridge Creek Wilderness OCCP was no longer to be used as an intervention and certainly  the "Tavern," "THE CHALET" was no longer to be used to isolate children as an intervention and behavior modification ward.

"THE TAVERN" FORMERLY KNOWN AS "THE CHALET"

Georgia Department of Human Resources,
Office of Regulatory Services State Form
Statement of Deficiencies
and Plan of Correction
Inspection begin date
Inspection end date:
6/28/2010
7/21/2010
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: Tuesday, August 17, 2010
2. Behavior management shall be limited to the least restrictive appropriate method, as described in the child's
service plan pursuant to Rule
This Requirement is not met as evidenced by:
Based on record review and staff interview, the agency failed to ensure that behavior
management is limited to the least restrictive appropriate method, as described in the child's
Room, Board, and Watchful Oversight Plan and in accordance with the prohibitions as specified
in the rules and regulations.
Findings Include
Interview with Resident #2 was conducted on 6/2820/2010 at 3:15 pm. Resident #2 said he/she
doesn't remember what happened during the incident, but he/she knows that he/she was in a
fight. When asked if he/she received a consequence for fighting, Resident #2 indicated that staff
sent him/her to the wilderness intervention program for 8 days.Review on 6/28/2010 at 4:00 pm of Resident #2's Individual Service Plan, dated 10/30/2009, did
not reveal that the wilderness intervention program would be used as a behavioral management
method.
Interview with Resident #4 was conducted on 6/28/2010 at 3:25 pm. When asked if he/she
received a consequence for involvement with the physical altercation, Resident #4 said first staff
spoke with him/her then he/she was sent to the wilderness intervention program for 8 days.Resident #4 reported that the wilderness program is not on campus. It consists of a tavern and
the residents sleep on wooden boards.Review on 6/28/2010 at 4:00 pm of Resident #4's Individual Service Plan, dated 2/11/10, did not
reveal that the wilderness intervention program would be used as a behavioral management
method.
Interview with Resident #3 was conducted on 6/28/2010 at 3:29 pm. Resident #3 stated that on
6/10/2010, Resident #5 came to him/her and said he/she was afraid that Resident #1 would kill
him/her. Resident #3 said later that night he/she and Resident #2 asked Resident #1 why was
he/she threatening Resident #5. Resident #3 said he/she was in Resident #4's room when he/she
heard a crash and screaming. Resident #3 said he/she saw Resident #1 run by the room.
Resident #3 said someone said that Resident #1 just broke a window and was trying to attack
Page 8 of 11
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:
6/28/2010
7/21/2010
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: Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Resident #2. Resident #3 said Resident #2 is one of his/her best friends and he/she thought about
Resident #1's problems and remembered Resident #1 threatened others. Resident #3 said he/she
was afraid that Resident #1 would injure Resident #2. Resident #1 said he/she was thinking that
Resident #1 had a piece of glass from the broken window. Resident #3 then admitted that he/she
pushed Resident #1 away from Resident #2 and Resident #1 turned around and hit him/her.
Resident #3 said he/she got angry and hit Resident #1 multiple timesDuring interview with Staff D on 6/28/2010 at 3:46 pm, Surveyor asked about the wilderness
intervention program. Staff D reported that wilderness intervention is used as a behavior
management technique.. Review on 6/28/2010 at 4:00 pm of Resident #3's Individualized Service Plan, dated 4/1/2010, did
not reveal that the wilderness intervention program would be utilized as a behavioral
management method.
Review on 6/28/2010 at 5:00 pm of the agency's Wilderness Intervention Curriculum, revealed a
form labeled "Odds and Ends". This form states the following: "Students are responsible for
maintaining their gear, equipment, and personal hygiene. If students break, lose, or do not
maintain equipment--they may have to do without (Stay within policies and procedures, and
safety). Keep wilderness student off main campus. No student is allowed in the shelter until
completion of Solo." This form also indicates that tents are utilized.
Review on 6/28/2010 at 5:00 pm of the agency's Wilderness Initiative Daily Schedule, revealed
examples of rewards given to residents which includes: extra sleeping pad, pillows. The
schedule dated May 3, 2010 indicates the following: "solo starts at 9:00 pm, students can only
communicate with staff, journal about life goals, and objectives."
Cross reference Tag 840
Page 9 of 11
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:
6/28/2010
7/21/2010
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: Tuesday, August 17, 2010
R 1808 290-2-5-.18(2)(c) Physical Plant and Safety.
SS=D
Each child shall be provided his or her own personal bed and mattress that is no shorter than the child's height
and at least thirty inches wide. Clean sheets, pillows and pillow cases, blankets or bed covering shall be provided
and sheets and pillow case
This Requirement is not met as evidenced by:
Based on record review and staff interview, the agency failed to ensure that each child shall be
provided his/her own personal bed and mattress with pillows, blankets or bed covering.
Findings Include
Review on 6/28/2010 at 5:00 pm of the agency's Wilderness Initiative Daily Schedule, revealed
examples of rewards given to residents which includes extra sleeping pad and pillows.
Interview with Resident #4 was conducted on 6/28/2010 at 3:25 pm. When asked if he/she
received a consequence for involvement with the physical altercation, Resident #4 said that first
staff spoke with him/her then he/she was sent to the wilderness intervention program for 8 days.
Resident #4 reported that the wilderness program is not on the campus. It consists of a tavern
and the residents sleep on wooden boards.Interview with Resident #3 was conducted on 6/28/2010 at 3:29 pm. Resident #3 stated that on
6/10/2010, he/she pushed Resident #1 away from Resident #2 and Resident #1 turned around and
hit him/her. Resident #3 said he/she got angry and hit Resident #1 multiple times. Resident #3
said he/she was sent to the wilderness intervention program as his/her consequence and slept
on a flat sheet of wood. Resident #3 said he/she was in the wilderness intervention program for 1
week.R 9999 Closing Comments.
Page 10 of 11
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:
6/28/2010
7/21/2010
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: Tuesday, August 17, 2010
An exit conference was conducted onsite. There was one rule violation related to self reported
incident #GA00083346. There were four rule violations found during the investigation. The
preliminary report was mailed on 7/12/2010. The plan of correction is due ten days after the
receipt of this report.