Lon of Strugglingteens.com is in it for the money

[Anonymous]

Strugglingteens.com has banners to WWASP/Teen Help websites, even though Lon W. and his clueless sidekick Jena have voiced their concerns over the WWASP/Teen Help operation. I guess money talks!

A banner on Strugglingteens.com points to: schoolsforteens.com   
   
Registrant Contact:
   NA
   Roger  Lichfield   ([email protected])
   NA
   P.O. Box 925
   Laverkin, UT   84745   US
   NA,  
   US

[Carey]

All consultants who place kids in "behavior modification" schools, or the like, are in it for the money.  I don't beleive there is even one consultant who is out there who is placing kids in these programs because they are "concerned" about the teens.

It is exploitation.  They are feeding off the neeeds of others for their own profit.  They are in part responsible for the abuse that is occuring.

[Aphrodite]

It's not just the consultants. THEY ALL ARE. The sick thing is that only damage is done by these programs. NO GOOD. Destroying lives for profit.

People are joining cult-like groups and are too brainwashed to notice. Some people will go along with anything as long as they think everyone else thinks they are doing the right thing. Having the "groups" approval is very important. Stubborn following fools on a path of greedy destruction. Like the Pied Piper.

It's sickening to know that this has been going on for over two decades and nothing has been done. So many traumatized lives that never recovered in those years and still are trying. Lives that were supposed to have been "saved." Just heart breaking. :cry:

[Antigen]

On 2003-05-22 04:52:00, Carey wrote:

"All consultants who place kids in "behavior modification" schools, or the like, are in it for the money.  I don't beleive there is even one consultant who is out there who is placing kids in these programs because they are "concerned" about the teens.



It is exploitation.  They are feeding off the neeeds of others for their own profit.  They are in part responsible for the abuse that is occuring."

No, I think most of them are just as brainwashed as their cows.

I think it's important to know the enemy. If you're looking to bust them or get them to confess to racketeering, I think you're taking the high road. These people do not know that what they're doing is wrong. They think they're doing something good. They really, truely and honestly believe that kids who listen to devil music or argue with parents or flunk or skip school or whatever the complaint are evil, dangerous and sick and could use a little brainwashing.

Here's a current event that illustrates the point.

http://tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/7867

Essentially, because of their zealous faith in the idea that drugs that are currently illegal are the root of all evil, these people who have sponsored, lobbied for and will probably vote to approve this legislation are willing to sacrifice the integrity of our election process for the cause.

Think they'd make the same kind of legal exception for the EPA? Probably not. Think a different pack of congresscritters would hesitate to do so if they had the majority? I don't. And you would think that a bunch of lawyers, judges, congresscritters and policy analysts would consider the implications.
 
But, to their minds, that's something completely different. They don't know that they're brainwashed zealots and so they can't imagine that any other zealot cause but their own could be seen as worthy of compromising election laws.

Do you see what I'm getting at here? They think it's OK to kidnap kids out of their beds, drug and shackle them if need be, because they think their cause is so just. It's not asif they hide the fact. They advertise the "escort services" right on the front of their home pages. It's more a bad case of higher purpose than a bad case of greed. If it were just greed, well they might lobby for broader legal gambling and invest themselves in that. After all, there's more money in it and the victims are willing participants.

A free people ought...to be armed...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/188301123X/circlofmiamithem' target='_new'> George Washington, 1790

[Carey]

Antigen, Point well made!!!

I think my statment was an over simplication of a very complex issue.  I agree with you on the fact that they see what they are doing as noble because they truely believe, like my ex believes, that it is ok to risk a kids life (since they seem to be heading down a destructive path) in order to save their life.  I don't buy that logic, but I know alot of people do.

But....I do beleive they are in the business of child placement because of what they can earn doing so.  In otherwords, I don't think they would be in this "profession" if they were not being paid for it.

[Lee Ann]

Hi everyone,
I am really sticking my neck out on the chopping block here.  I just wanted everyone to know that there are some folks, such as myself, that are NOT in it for the money.
 
I have worked in several different program environments and have seen the devastation the wrong program can cause kids.  I have also witnessed families that are being taken advantage of both financially and emotionally. On the other hand, I have seen kids that have grown tremendously with the help of loving parents and a good solid program that is able to address that teens individual issues.  I do not suggest the same program for every kid.  Each teen is an individual with their own special set of challenges.  
Trust me, Teens At Risk Referral Services is NOT in it for the money.  I only charge $800.00 for the entire length of stay regardless of the program.  That fee includes monthly contact with the program, reports to the family, and we VISIT the teen at the program often.  I'm sure right now there are many of you going "yeah, right!"  But yes, right.  I don't know of ANY other Ed. Consultant or referral source that actually takes the time to MAKE SURE the program they have suggested is RIGHT for the kid and the family.

OK, so why just Utah programs?  Because that is what we, at TARRS, know.  I have either worked with the owners/operators of the programs or have visited often enough to thoroughly understand each program.  Just an FYI  I DO NOT refer to ANY WWASP programs.  In my opinion~~ They are just CREEPY.  I have actually called to drop by and check them out for myself, and they told me they do not allow visitors.  What is that all about???  Truely makes you wonder what is going on behind those barred doors.  There are a couple of other programs I WILL NOT refer to.  Just because they are in Utah does not give them the green light in my eyes.  
So anyway guys, I feel my heart is in the right place.  I AM concerned about the kids.  I don't want to see any teen at a program if they really don't need one.  So many other options first.

Go ahead, chew me up and spit me out.  
http://www.teensatrisk.net
Lee Ann

[Anonymous]

Okay, since you asked for it --  Please list all the programs you have worked for in the past 10 years or so and what your "job title and duties" were. Second, $800.00 bucks per kid is still a chunk of change regardless of what others charge.  Obviously this is a higly competitive business and there are only so many "heads" to fill those empty beds.

 :flame:

[Janet]

Lee Ann,
  You sound like a caring individual. However, I am an old lady who raised three adopted children.  I learned a lot that neither my husband or I received from our teacher training.  All three of my children gave us trouble, but because teachers are not overpaid we did not have the funds for even the cheapest program.

  First of all, parents need to understand that adolescents are going to test the boundaries that includes experimenting with alcohol, sexual activity, (unfortunately), belligerence, and family values.  Very few teenagers do all of the above.  But they need to do it to break the very strong bonds with their parents so that they can go out into the community as functioning adults.

  As a parent it is your job to observe, try to maintain control with adult compromises, and to be there when they fail.  You do not send them away where you have no private contact with them and do not see them regularly.  That is not being a loving, concerned, conscientious parent.

  If  your child has a serious, diagnosed mental condition like Bipolar/Manic-depressive illness, Clinical Depression, Schizophrenia, etc., you seek the help of more than one psychiatrist, and if the psychiatrists feel the child should be hospitalized, you find the closest hospital so you could visit the child at a moments notice.

Therefore, if you live in Texas or California, you do not send them to Utah no matter how well they license these schools.  And besides, if they are so great at monitoring these "schools", how come the WWASP school has existed for so long?  Robert Litchfield started Provo Canyon and sold it before opening Cross Creek Manor.  Cross Creek is the WWASP flagship school and I would not recommend it. Why isn't Utah doing more to make the school more humane?

[Anonymous]

Lee Ann Wrote: "Just because they are in Utah does not give them the green light in my eyes."

Of course being in Utah doesn't give them the green light, Utah = RED LIGHT!! Utah has probably had more abusive programs than any other state.

P.S. it looks like you were just plugin you for profit biz

[Carey]

Lee Ann you said "you are NOT in it for the money."  Well then, would you be doing it for free?  Would you be placing kids in programs if there were zero dollars in it for you?  I hardly think so.

I am not going to say anything negative about you personally because I do not know you personally.  However, the fact that your site states that you can have children placed in a program within 48 to 72 hours tells me right away that you are part of the problem. How on earth in 48 to 72 hours can you determine what a child needs as far as placement and what school would best suit that child.   You also say that this 48 to 72 hours can be held up depending on financing and transportation.  RED FLAG...RED FLAG...what else do I need to say.

[Deborah]

Lee Ann wrote:
I only charge $800.00 for the entire length of stay regardless of the program. That fee includes monthly contact with the program, reports to the family, and we VISIT the teen at the program often.

At $800 for the entire length of stay, you must have some pretty excellent travel agent to "visit the teen often" and still make a profit. I find this very difficult to believe.

I have a few questions.
How are you qualified to determine what environment a teen needs? Do you have a degree in psych? Do you diagnose?
Do you interview the teen as well as the parent?
Have you ever rejected a client and suggested family therapy?
Have you ever told a parent that their teens problem is that they have an ignorant and lazy parent?
Do you personally confirm that all programs you refer to are licensed, and with the proper license? eg: Not a Therapeutic facility listed with the state as a traditional boarding school.
Does your state require you to be licensed to place teens out-of-state?
Do you ensure that parents and programs follow the requirements of ICPC?
Are you ever compensated (gifted) by the parent or program?
You're not in it for the money?

What, are you independently wealthy or have a wealthy husband? Everyone is into their livlihood and will do what is necessary to make a living. Pahleez.

For the record, the Ed Con (and I do think they are cons) who assisted my ex in our son's incarceration
1) never met my son, OR ex for that matter.
2) did not know if an evaluation had been done-she didn't bother to ask.
2) made a referral over the phone on Fri, son enrolled on Mon.
3) violated the ICPC.
4) was not licensed to refer out-of-state.
5) referred to an unlicensed program-said she referred based on "the owner's reputation".
6) earned several thousand dollars for a brief phone call.
7) was not privy to the semi-starvation diet teens endure while on restriction.
:cool: was not aware of the monitored phone calls or screened mail.
9) didn't know that my son had been referred to the TBSs newly opened AND unlicensed boot camp which they sold as a wilderness leadership program...yeah right, then why employ ex-military.

She apparently was not in possession of a Parent Manual, or had never interviewed one of her placements. In her defense, she was an older woman who seemed very nieve...probably just as dupped as the parents.

As for the facility- at the parent workshop before the first visit, the Head Master told parents they would receive a $250 refund if they showed documentation that they had used an Ed Con. Inferring that it would be a good idea to kick that back to the Ed Con he said, "We can't compensate the Ed Con, but parents are free to use the refund as they choose".

Come on...you do not provide a community service. It's a business, and for many of us, is highly questionable. The Industry you support is nothing short of a psych scam. No therapy should include the risk of death or emotional distress.

If you're truely interested in helping teens, you might consider abandoning your support of this abusive industry and figure out how you can really help. You could start by helping their demented parents who have more money than sense.

I have a general request to those who erroneous refer to these psych facilties as "schools". They are not. They are psych facilities with an academic component. And the only thing teens learn is "how to manipulate the manipulators".
Deborah

[Carey]

Deborah, you hit the nail right on the head!!!

This is a sick industry from the consultants who recommend them, to the escorts who take them there, to the the owners and staff who run them.  Anyone and everyone who has profited off of these facilities should be held accountable.

[Deborah]

Hi Carey,
I'm very curious to hear your story with the Industry. I've gathered little bits and pieces and it sounds like we may have had some similarities (but don't we all). The story seems to be the same with minor differences.  Is it posted somewhere that I might read it without you duplicating? If so, please provide a link.
Thanks for the work you do in exposing the truth.
Deborah

[Carey]

Hi Deborah,

My boys were at Dundee.  I can give you the links to articles on what has happened.  That will probably be the esiest thing to do to give you a little history on my experience.  Then if you have any questions you can ask away.

http://www.strugglingteens.com/news/let ... carey.html

http://fornits.com/anonanon/articles/20 ... 1021-0.htm

http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/01_17_03_2.htm

http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/03_20_03_2.htm

http://www.ticotimes.net/daily.htm

I am sure this is a similar bad experience that alot of us parents share.

I promise you, they have not seen or heard the last of me.

Carey

[kel78]

Please excuse me while I take just a moment to toss in a "YAY JANET!" and a "Thank you!" to her for her earlier post.  Granted, there are teenagers out there with serious problems, there are real, deep cases of depression and addiction (just like in adults, but no one seems to notice that either).  Sending a child away from family and friends, cutting them off from whatever social network they have, and forcing them into homes and facilities hundreds or thousands of miles from home does not, at least to this halfway sane mind, seem right on any level.  

I know there are people, like Lee Ann, who say and may truly believe that they're doing the right thing, that what they do is helping.  But, I was always told that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.  A real service would be helping those parents who don't have the financial means to cut back and work part time to spend more time getting to know their child.  Real service to help would help parents and families work through the process of adolescence, instead of simply sending the problem away.  A good public service would involve maybe even someone to listen, to offer a neutral, getting nothing financially out of dragging it out forever opinion.  Someone who didn't have an interest in exploiting a kid, but in helping a kid deal with the shit that gets dealt to teenagers and young adults these days.  

It's really easy to get so involved in something that you don't see ulterior motives.  Believe me, I've been there done that and all I got was this lousy t-shirt and matched baggage.  You get so caught up in "maybe this is what it takes to get me or help me (or my kid)" and you don't take the time to really even get to the root of "is this even an issue?"  It's sad but true, and happens so many times.  It happened to me, and to probably a lot of people who read these and other boards.  Point is, once you realize something's not right, it has to be acted  on.  A parent has to trust their kid enough to know the difference between NORMAL teen angst and depression and that kind of thing, and something more.  When I finally broke down and told my parents, look this is messing with me worse than what you sent me here to get over, they listened.  I'm fortunate in that.

I guess my point is, if someone really wants to help, help the family get itself back together.  Do what you can to help a single mom working a couple of jobs have a break or two to sit down and if nothing else, just eat a decent meal with her kid.  Or, help parents find things for their kids to get involved in, band or sports or anything that lets them have a positive outlet for things they might be holding inside.  Support the local after school programs in your area, if you want to help.  Think about how many kids $800 bucks would pay for band uniforms for, or how many kids that would feed supper to, so that parents could be home to deal with things.  Sorry to ramble on so... thanks for reading.