Thanks for clarifying the bullshit. I, too, misunderstood the use of the term.
The issue here is the child referral business has become a multi-million-dollar private enterprise that for the most part - is unregulated and unlicensed. Anybody can call themselves an educational consultant. Or a resource expert.
The second big issue is the question of programs paying for sales leads that result in a placement. WWASPS is well known for offering parents a month's free tuition or if their kid graduated, a cash payment for referrals. Outside of WWASPS, it appears there are a handful of private programs paying "commissions" or "finders fees" to outfis like PURE. We know Whitmore was one of those programs and other names have been suggested through the WWASPS v. PURE transcripts.
The third big issue is what happens when a program is accused of mistreating children? Or is the subject of a lawsuit? What state/federal laws are in place to require programs (and the people who sell them whether they are ed cons or independent referral services) to disclose this info to the consumer? None that I am aware of. This needs to change. Why? Because even hairdressers are required to have proper training and be licensed by the state they operate in. Why should referral companies be any different? This is a child safety issue first and foremost, IMO.