ISAC

[Antigen]

Hey folks, I read a post yesterday (maybe it's still there  ::bangin:: ) saying ISAC doesn't list HLA on their watchlist. Well, you can do something about that.

ISAC just publishes docs and statements as given by people who have had dealings with these places.

While I don't like to recomend anyone making any commital public moves w/o careful consideration, many of you have had time to get pretty settled in your minds and it might be a very good idea for you to go ahead and make a statement to ISAC so they can list HLA.

Not only might it be good for people considering HLA as a placement for their kid, it might help counter the unbalanced perception that Straight, Inc was the worst of the worst. Having had a bit of contact w/ ppl who went through other programs, I'm convinced that it wasn't the worst. It's just that there are so damned many of us that it's easy to make contact and get the information out there. [ This Message was edited by: Eudora on 2006-02-20 08:54 ]

[Guest 2]

Hey folks, I read a post yesterday (maybe it's still there  ::bangin:: ) saying ISAC doesn't list HLA on their watchlist. Well, you can do something about that.



ISAC just publishes docs and statements as given by people who have had dealings with these places.



While I don't like to recomend anyone making any commital public moves w/o careful consideration, many of you have had time to get pretty settled in your minds and it might be a very good idea for you to go ahead and make a statement to ISAC so they can list HLA.



Not only might it be good for people considering HLA as a placement for their kid, it might help counter the unbalanced perception that Straight, Inc was the worst of the worst. Having had a bit of contact w/ ppl who went through other programs, I'm convinced that it wasn't the worst. It's just that there are so damned many of us that it's easy to make contact and get the information out there. [ This Message was edited by: Eudora on 2006-02-20 08:54 ]

HLA is now listed on ISAC's Watch List!!!

http://www.isaccorp.org/watchlist.html

[Anonymous]

Does a school ever get off this watch list?

Wonders SHH.

[Deborah]

Does a school ever get off this watch list?

Wonders SHH.

I would hope not. People need to know the history of programs. I view ISAC as a Consumer Reports for programs. A place where parents can find information they won't get from the program, the licensing agency, the Ed Con. ISAC provides a valuable service that is sorely needed in the industry.

[Anonymous]

Well I meant if a school was shown to have improved their issues....gotten a clean bill of health so to speak....would they be removed...was just wondering.

[Deborah]

I don't know ISACs policy, SHH. Ask them.
If I had a say, the answer would be no, they aren't removed, their history remains public, for the reasons I previously stated.

[Anonymous]

Well, my thinking on this would be, say for example, the school totally changes hands....most staff are new, qualified, and have good credentials, facilities are renovated, etc.....wouldnt leaving them on the watch list be unfair? since they arent the ones that caused it to get on the list to start with? Just a thought.

SHH

[Anonymous]

Well, my thinking on this would be, say for example, the school totally changes hands....most staff are new, qualified, and have good credentials, facilities are renovated, etc.....wouldnt leaving them on the watch list be unfair? since they arent the ones that caused it to get on the list to start with? Just a thought.

That's like saying Auschwitz is under New Management. Some things just shouldn't be....

[Anonymous]

So what youre saying is that no school should exist period, right? even ones that have decent staff and a good program? you feel they are bad no matter what?

SHH

[Anonymous]

So what youre saying is that no school should exist period, right? even ones that have decent staff and a good program? you feel they are bad no matter what?

That's not what I said at all - even the least intelligent person would know that's not what I said.

There's a need for these type of programs, but only if they are willing and able to abide by State Regulations AND are truly qualified to provide professional competent services to the children. HLA doesn't deserve a 2nd chance period.

[Anonymous]

So what youre saying is that no school should exist period, right? even ones that have decent staff and a good program? you feel they are bad no matter what?

If they use the level system, LGAT type seminars, peer counseling then yes.

The only safe boarding schools are the ones that have no 'therapy' or 'emotional growth' at all and are strictly college prep.  I don't even like those, I think they're more for the benefit of the parents than the kids but at least they don't fuck with the kids psyche.

[Anonymous]

Well in some cases I think the best thing for the kids is being as far away from the parents as possible. Thats why I dont think boarding schools, of any type, will ever go away completely. Sometimes its the parents fault the kids are behaving in the manner they are, or have emotional issues.

SHH

[Anonymous]

Sometimes its the parents fault the kids are behaving in the manner they are, or have emotional issues.

Most of the time.

[Deborah]

Well, my thinking on this would be, say for example, the school totally changes hands....most staff are new, qualified, and have good credentials, facilities are renovated, etc.....wouldnt leaving them on the watch list be unfair? since they arent the ones that caused it to get on the list to start with? Just a thought.

SHH

Suzanne,
Your hypothetical scenario is unrealistic. Can you provide one instance where this has happened?
Do you anticipate HLA changing hands, hiring of all new qualified staff, and renovating the facility?
Take Skyline Journey for example. They killed Ian August due to medical neglect. Marched the kid to death in 100* temperature and let him sit alone in the sun to die because they determined he was 'faking'. In violation of 20 some regulations that day. EMT ignored her medical training and diverted to SJs method of shaking out 'fakers'. No one was convicted for this crime. SJ was shut down though. They are currently running a 'new and improved' program called Distant Drums. That's the current MO in the industry. Should they be on the list. Absolutely, yes.
That history is important to the discerning parent.

Even with a license and state monitoring, these programs must be watched closely. They don't know how to genuniely help kids so they resort to austere rules and forms of punishment in order to gain 'compliance'. The truth is that state regulations are no guarantee, but can be the catalyst for 'some' positive change. That's the best we can hope for.

[Anonymous]

This doesnt necesarily have to do with HLA, i was speaking in general terms. I dont know if this has happened, but it seemed to me that if changes were made it would be unfair to the good folks to carry the burden of what the bad folks did. I dont have a problem with regulations and monitoring. But if a school did better it seems it shouldnt stay on a watch list.

SHH