Unqualified Staff Members -

[Troll Control]

http://www.hiddenlakeacademy.com/loadPr ... userID=187

Here's one of HLA's "new hires."  Although they advertise as having all Masters level counselors, it is completely untrue.

Exactly how does a BS in "Criminal Justice" and an interest in "Marshall (sic) Arts" qualifiy someone to be the primary caregiver to a child with mental health issues?  It sounds more like a recipe for unneeded restraint than "therapy."

The kicker: http://www.nu.edu/

This completely unqualified person has only a CJ degree from an online college.  

Where are the licensed, masters level counselors (HLA advertisements claim "42 Masters Level Counselors"[/i])?  I can seem to find only a single licensed one, (recent update to profile added "LPC") but I do see plenty of online degrees not related in any way to mental health.

False advertising?  Scam?  Why don't HLA parents ask questions about the staff?

http://www.hiddenlakeacademy.com/loadPr ... userID=147

Woops! No degree here at all.

This one is funny:

http://www.hiddenlakeacademy.com/loadPr ... userID=175

No degree whatsoever for this AC and her sole and only qualification?  "Jen loves sports."  Well, glad to have you aboard, Jen!

If these are the staff that are "proudly" listed on the website, it kinda makes ya wonder who's "not-so-proudly" left off the website.


_________________
"Compassion is the basis of morality."

-Arnold Schopenhauer

[Troll Control]

More on this topic here: http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... orum=41&40

[Anonymous]

Ed Clark works as an Earth Element counselor in conjunction with two master's level counselors.  He does not have a group unto himself.  The irony of you making these comments about his qualifications (which on paper are poor), is that he is great working with the kids.  He has very good insight, he is very bright, and is able to balance firmness with gentleness quite effectively.

This is not to say that you do not make some very good points about what HLA claims to have and what they actually have.  In this case, however, it is just ironic because Clark is very good with the kids.

[Troll Control]

Listen, I have no doubts whatsoever some of these people are caring, empathetic, intuitive and good influences for the kids.  I've stated this many times before.

The problem is that what HLA advertises and what it provides are two very, very disparate products.  As another poster said, if they were just a boarding school, this wouldn't be such a big deal.  This is not the case, however.

HLA advertises that it provides counseling for its residents by masters level couselors which is provably false, considering there is only a single licensed counselor on the premises and many of the other counselors have unrelated degrees or no degrees whatsoever.  

This is a huge problem in a couple of respects.  One, "therapy" is being provided by unlicensed, untrained and sometimes completely uneducated staff and two, it is absolutely and unquestionably false advertising.

If HLA cannot manage hire and retain even the most minimally qualified people (sometimes being nice or caring just isn't enough - I think we can agree on that), what the hell are they doing with or for your kids for $5700.00 a month?

A second point:  If there are indeed people who care about the welfare of these children, why do they accept the conditions under which these children are held?  Why aren't they standing up for what is right and confronting the management as to why these kids get such low-quality care?

I hear what you're saying, but part and parcel of "caring about the kids" is addressing the shitty, subpar conditions of their treatment, the lack of proper mental health care, the unlicensed, uneducated staff, the behavior modification program, the unlicensed teachers without degrees in their disciplines, the blatant violations of accrediting standards and ORS regulations, the manipulating and fear-mongering (both kids and parents) etc - not to mention their being confined with dangerous inappropriate placements, some of whom have been reported by employees to be pedophiles and sexual batterers/rapists - is it not?

At what point does "caring" translate into doing the right thing?

[Anonymous]

On 2006-06-02 09:13:00, Dysfunction Junction wrote:

"Listen, I have no doubts whatsoever some of these people are caring, empathetic, intuitive and good influences for the kids.  I've stated this many times before.



The problem is that what HLA advertises and what it provides are two very, very disparate products.  As another poster said, if they were just a boarding school, this wouldn't be such a big deal.  This is not the case, however.



HLA advertises that it provides counseling for its residents by masters level couselors which is provably false, considering there is only a single licensed counselor on the premises and many of the other counselors have unrelated degrees or no degrees whatsoever.  



This is a huge problem in a couple of respects.  One, "therapy" is being provided by unlicensed, untrained and sometimes completely uneducated staff and two, it is absolutely and unquestionably false advertising.



If HLA cannot manage hire and retain even the most minimally qualified people (sometimes being nice or caring just isn't enough - I think we can agree on that), what the hell are they doing with or for your kids for $5700.00 a month?



A second point:  If there are indeed people who care about the welfare of these children, why do they accept the conditions under which these children are held?  Why aren't they standing up for what is right and confronting the management as to why these kids get such low-quality care?



I hear what you're saying, but part and parcel of "caring about the kids" is addressing the shitty, subpar conditions of their treatment, the lack of proper mental health care, the unlicensed, uneducated staff, the behavior modification program, the unlicensed teachers without degrees in their disciplines, the blatant violations of accrediting standards and ORS regulations, the manipulating and fear-mongering (both kids and parents) etc - not to mention their being confined with dangerous inappropriate placements, some of whom have been reported by employees to be pedophiles and sexual batterers/rapists - is it not?



At what point does "caring" translate into doing the right thing?
"

Good post.  My kid spent two years at HLA.  For the most part, the "real" counselors (those with actual degrees) were useless because they had to adhere to ridiculous rules set by the crazy people in charge.  The counselors who actually thought they were being hired to work with kids and HELP them ended up leaving in disgust.  This made for a revolving door.  

In my kid's case, he had at least 4 different Peer Group counselors within the first 6 months of his stay.  The website states "Two Masters�-level Counselors are assigned to a Peer Group and remain with that Peer Group throughout the entire therapeutic program."  That was one of the things that drew us to HLA.  But, like so many other things, it was a big fat lie.

So getting back to the topic here, my kid was actually helped at HLA --BY A MEMBER OF THE CLERICAL STAFF. Yep, someone took an interest in him.  This person had no degree, but saw something in the kid and worked with him and helped him.  We got lucky.  (It should be noted that the assholes in charge actually told this staff member to cease communicating with my kid.  We had to fight with them to allow the kid to continue the only helpful relationship he had.)

So yeah, we got lucky.  Someone took an interest.  But for $5700/month parents shouldn't have to hope to get lucky.

[Troll Control]

My kid spent two years at HLA. For the most part, the "real" counselors (those with actual degrees) were useless because they had to adhere to ridiculous rules set by the crazy people in charge. The counselors who actually thought they were being hired to work with kids and HELP them ended up leaving in disgust.

This assessment is bang-on.  This is exactly what happened in my case (and many others that I personally know).

It's a progression. It starts with the pie-eyed newbies fresh out of college with altruistic intentions to help kids.  

Soon they become aware that what they were told in their interview wasn't quite right or honest.  They slowly become aware that the system doesn't work and kids are not having their needs met and aren't receiving proper or adequate care.  

Then they redouble their effort thinking they really can make a difference if they only try hard enough so they work extra hours and stay for weekends - whatever it takes.  They realize that if they cast aside the program paradigm and do what they were actually taught to do they can make real headway.  

Soon thereafter they get confronted by management for not implementing the program and letting the kids "manipulate."  They begin to express real concerns about the efficacy of the program and explain how the kids on their caseload are actually being retarded in natural maturation and aren't improving.  

It invariably ends with a meeting with the headmaster telling them "It would be best for you just to resign immediately."  They are escorted off the premises, no goodbyes, no proper turnover to new counselors, confused and hurting children wondering what happened to the only person who cared for them and the next noob steps in to start the merry-go-round once more.

What the kids are left with is a bunch of concerned but impotent brand-new, un- or underqualified inexperienced direct-care staff who become de facto "babysitters."

$5700.00 a month for a babysitter is hardly a bargain.  Not to mention all the kids' problems return home with them when they leave the program - unabated, untreated, and oftentimes exacerbated and aggravated.

_________________
"Compassion is the basis of morality."

-Arnold Schopenhauer

[Anonymous]

Your mom got lucky
209

[Anonymous]

On 2006-06-02 11:50:00, Dysfunction Junction wrote:

"

My kid spent two years at HLA. For the most part, the "real" counselors (those with actual degrees) were useless because they had to adhere to ridiculous rules set by the crazy people in charge. The counselors who actually thought they were being hired to work with kids and HELP them ended up leaving in disgust.

This assessment is bang-on.  This is exactly what happened in my case (and many others that I personally know).



It's a progression. It starts with the pie-eyed newbies fresh out of college with altruistic intentions to help kids.  



Soon they become aware that what they were told in their interview wasn't quite right or honest.  They slowly become aware that the system doesn't work and kids are not having their needs met and aren't receiving proper or adequate care.  



Then they redouble their effort thinking they really can make a difference if they only try hard enough so they work extra hours and stay for weekends - whatever it takes.  They realize that if they cast aside the program paradigm and do what they were actually taught to do they can make real headway.  



Soon thereafter they get confronted by management for not implementing the program and letting the kids "manipulate."  They begin to express real concerns about the efficacy of the program and explain how the kids on their caseload are actually being retarded in natural maturation and aren't improving.  



It invariably ends with a meeting with the headmaster telling them "It would be best for you just to resign immediately."  They are escorted off the premises, no goodbyes, no proper turnover to new counselors, confused and hurting children wondering what happened to the only person who cared for them and the next noob steps in to start the merry-go-round once more.



What the kids are left with is a bunch of concerned but impotent brand-new, un- or underqualified inexperienced direct-care staff who become de facto "babysitters."



$5700.00 a month for a babysitter is hardly a bargain.  Not to mention all the kids' problems return home with them when they leave the program - unabated, untreated, and oftentimes exacerbated and aggravated.



_________________

"Compassion is the basis of morality."



-Arnold Schopenhauer"

I wrote the original reply about Ed Clark.

Sadly, this assessment, is so right on the money it isn't even funny.  This is exactly what happens at HLA.  It all comes down to Dr. Buccellato not running the school effectively.  Almost everyone their wishes he would sell the school so they could actually to the things that they want to do there.

[Troll Control]

It all comes down to Dr. Buccellato not running the school effectively. Almost everyone their wishes he would sell the school so they could actually to the things that they want to do there.

This is also what I hear.  Do you have contacts there that are still employed?  What kinds of things are they saying about the Boss?

[Anonymous]

I love Hidden Lake Academy. I feel honored to be a part of there rich history of progress and helping shape and mold our troubled youth into positive members of society.

[Troll Control]

On 2006-06-02 14:44:00, Anonymous wrote:

"I love Hidden Lake Academy. I feel honored to be a part of there rich history of progress and helping shape and mold our troubled youth into positive members of society."

you must have received "there" education, too.  you can't spell and you don't know what "progress" means.

kids aren't clay to be "shaped" and "molded" either.  the only "rich history" is buccellato lining his pockets.

[Anonymous]

On 2006-06-02 14:36:00, Dysfunction Junction wrote:

"

It all comes down to Dr. Buccellato not running the school effectively. Almost everyone their wishes he would sell the school so they could actually to the things that they want to do there.

This is also what I hear.  Do you have contacts there that are still employed?  What kinds of things are they saying about the Boss?
"

Wait a minute...what happened to ALL of your inside sources...shouldn't they be giving you all of the inside scoop?  You are such a loser.

P.S...I know who you are.  You've been clumsy.
209

[Deborah]

On 2006-06-02 16:10:00, Anonymous wrote:

"

On 2006-06-02 14:36:00, Dysfunction Junction wrote:


"

It all comes down to Dr. Buccellato not running the school effectively. Almost everyone their wishes he would sell the school so they could actually to the things that they want to do there.

This is also what I hear.  Do you have contacts there that are still employed?  What kinds of things are they saying about the Boss?

"

Wait a minute...what happened to ALL of your inside sources...shouldn't they be giving you all of the inside scoop?  You are such a loser.



P.S...I know who you are.  You've been clumsy."

Perhaps I'm wrong, but reads like he was asking the other poster if they had heard the same thing he had.  

You folks at HLA just aren't very bright. Two years to figure out what everyone else knows?
Clumsy? If you couldn't read his posts and know, then you're obviously not anyone of importance and/or not included in the inner circle gossip.
I don't think it's been a big secret.

But hey, you got to feel important for a minute.

Would you consider registering? "HLA Detective" might be a good user name for you. People really want to know when HLA is posting. Don't let them down.

[Badpuppy]

On 2006-06-02 11:50:00, Dysfunction Junction wrote:

"

My kid spent two years at HLA. For the most part, the "real" counselors (those with actual degrees) were useless because they had to adhere to ridiculous rules set by the crazy people in charge. The counselors who actually thought they were being hired to work with kids and HELP them ended up leaving in disgust.

This assessment is bang-on.  This is exactly what happened in my case (and many others that I personally know).



It's a progression. It starts with the pie-eyed newbies fresh out of college with altruistic intentions to help kids.  



Soon they become aware that what they were told in their interview wasn't quite right or honest.  They slowly become aware that the system doesn't work and kids are not having their needs met and aren't receiving proper or adequate care.  



Then they redouble their effort thinking they really can make a difference if they only try hard enough so they work extra hours and stay for weekends - whatever it takes.  They realize that if they cast aside the program paradigm and do what they were actually taught to do they can make real headway.  



Soon thereafter they get confronted by management for not implementing the program and letting the kids "manipulate."  They begin to express real concerns about the efficacy of the program and explain how the kids on their caseload are actually being retarded in natural maturation and aren't improving.  



It invariably ends with a meeting with the headmaster telling them "It would be best for you just to resign immediately."  They are escorted off the premises, no goodbyes, no proper turnover to new counselors, confused and hurting children wondering what happened to the only person who cared for them and the next noob steps in to start the merry-go-round once more.



What the kids are left with is a bunch of concerned but impotent brand-new, un- or underqualified inexperienced direct-care staff who become de facto "babysitters."



$5700.00 a month for a babysitter is hardly a bargain.  Not to mention all the kids' problems return home with them when they leave the program - unabated, untreated, and oftentimes exacerbated and aggravated.



_________________

"Compassion is the basis of morality."



-Arnold Schopenhauer"

And the problem is endemic to both the financial model and therapuetic model of the industy. Discipline is cheap. Therapy is expensive.

[Troll Control]

This is a good point.  They can't attract "real" counselors when paying dirt wages, offering no benefits and bouncing payroll checks so the place becomes just a "TSF" (Teen Storage Facility).

The comments being made here are hitting home with some of the people there.  It makes them upset and angry, but their upset is misplaced.  They should confront their bosses about the poor working conditions, low pay, lack of medical insurance, unpaid overtime, etc.  

Why be mad at Fornits because your job sucks?  It makes no sense.