Lon of Strugglingteens.com is in it for the money

[Lee Ann]

1.  Because of my longevity in the "industry"  I have had the opportunity to see, hear, experince and relate to parents.  I have seen unjust things go on  such as parents lied to, kids punished for the smallest infraction and programs NOT follow through with what they promise.  I know the truth of what goes on "behind closed doors" within these programs.  
2.  I am not qualified to diagnose.  I can tell the parents the difference between a quack and a good therapist/psychiatrist through personal knowledge ( mostly working directly with these folks in a program seting) Some of these professionals are great ~ others jerks.  
3.  I am very open to interviewing the teen.  I would prefer that the teen knows what is going on versus being dragged out of their bed in the middle of the night.  
4.  Yes.  I have rejected families.  I feel that an out-of-home placemnt is the LAST resort.  So many options to begin with.  Clergy, state human services, private therapy, school counselors etc.  One of the first things I ask a family is if they have exhausted all other forms of intervention.  
5.  I feel it is VERY important for the ENTIRE family to be getting treatment at the same time.  What good does it do a teen to learn skills that will help them in their lives,  then just return to the same nightmare. What a waste of time and money on the parents part and how frustrating for the teen.
6.  Yes.  I am FIRM that a program must be properly licensed.  I know that that does not guarantee a perfect program, but they have at least met the minimum requirements to have a facility open.  I have stated before that there are several "licensed" programs I WILL NOT refer to.  
7.  My state does not require licensing for out of state placement.  
8.  I require an ICPC to be submitted to the sending AND recieving state.  This means both an ICPC A on entering the state and an ICPC B when the program is completed.  An ICPC is the only way to make sure that the teen will recieve protection of the state child protective services.  
9.  I do have an $800.00 fee that barely covers the cost of all the services I provide.  I DO NOT charge programs for referring to their program.  This way I can be completely impartial as to the needs of the student.  Not just send all teens to one program that will pay upward of $2,000 per kid as many other referral servcies require.  Truth is, I personally know many folks that will ask a program up front if they will pay a fee.  If they say no, they will not refer to that program even if it would benefit the student the most.  That is SO wrong!
10. Usually the students that are placed within 48 - 72 hours are kids that are being dicharged from a hospital setting or a detention center.  The family may not feel safe with their teen at home or they feel they are not properly trained to address their teens demanding issues.  I certainly didn't mean that if a parent gets a wild hair I will be willing to help them have their child kidnapped and dragged off to a torture facility to help punish the kid.  
11.  Sorry to hear of the challenges you had with
an "Ed. Con."  I personally know many, many ed. cons that never leave their office, never meet the family and certainly NEVER visit their client once he/she arrives at the program.  Why be bothered.  They are able to collect upwards of $6,000.00 per student they refer.  What makes them so special?  Most sit in plush offices and could care less what is REALLY happening to their client.  At least I am willing to get dirty in the trenches helping parents fight, in some cases, for their kids lives.
 
Truth is I am on your side.  Parents are going to continue looking for help for their kids. I am not afraid to tell the truth about programs for the money.  Further damaging a teens life is not worth any amount of money. I am NOT in it for the profit.  And yes, if I was independantly wealthy, I would be doing this for free.
 
I hope this has answered some of your questions.   Lee Ann

[Anonymous]

Lee Ann, can you tell us a few of the programs you refer teens to?

[Anonymous]

Anybody notice the "non-answers" to the question about WHAT programs Lee Ann worked for over the past 10 years?  Job Title and Duties?

Not a good sign.

 :wave:

[Deborah]

Well, here's a few I found. She worked for the infamous Skyline Journey.

May 8, 2001)  Lee Ann Fielding, Admissions coordinator for Skyline Journey, Nephi, Utah, 866-822-8336, a new short-term wilderness program, announced Mark Wardle has joined them as Program Manager. He has 11 years experience in wilderness programs, most recently with SageWalk in Oregon and On Track in Texas.  

(September 6, 2001) Lee Ann Fielding, Admissions Coordinator for Skyline Journey, 866.822.8336, sent this picture of " SUDS", their traveling shower.

KOLOB CANYON WELCOMES NEW TEACHERS
(May 15, 2002) Lee Ann Fielding, Admissions, Kolob Canyon, Koosharem, Utah, 435-638-7594, welcome their new teachers:

Aug 2002 Red Fern Ranch    Sanpete County, Utah
Lee Ann Fielding - Admissions Director  435-638-7416

FROM LEE ANN'S WEBSITE:
Why a Utah Program?
*Utah's programs have set the standard for all other states and programs. Utah is the only state that regulates and licenses programs for teenagers.

They also have the most deaths logged. While I don't believe for a minute that licenses and regulation ensures teen's safety, especially from mind*uck, the latter statement is not true. I have documents stating the numerous times the Utah Lic Dir has "overlooked" violations.

*Utah's age of adulthood is 18

We all know that this means a parent can incarcertate their teen longer...which also means more $$ for the programs.


*The Fielding's have over 20 years combined experience working directly with troubled teens and their parents in various Utah programs.

Didn't find anything for husband Len.

*We offer solutions for:
1. Alcohol use
2. Drug use
3. Out of control or illegal behavior
4. Running away
5. Sexual promiscuity

Shouldn't this read, "we offer referrals to programs that claim to address these issues".

*The state of Utah has a very strict Code of Conduct that each program is required to follow. State officials visit each program regularly to ensure that your teen is well cared for and that state policy is being met. Teens At Risk Referral Services will not refer to a program that is not licensed and is not in good standing with the state.

Hmmmm, folks should have a read about Stettler (Lic Dir) at these links:
http://web.outsidemag.com/magazine/1095/10f_deth.html
http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives ... een01.html
http://www.sltrib.com/2002/Jul/07172002/utah/754298.htm
http://www.sltrib.com/2002/jul/07192002/utah/754809.htm
http://departments.bloomu.edu/crimjust/BOOT.html
http://courtlink.utcourts.gov/opinions/ ... r12_98.htm
http://www.sltrib.com/2002/oct/10122002/utah/utah.htm

[Antigen]

Please take a look at http://fornits.com/anonanon/peaars.cgi

Search on terms like lichfield, dundee, "tranquility and bay" or any other related terms to find all articles that contain those terms. Anyone and everyone, please let me know about any related news items that are not already contained in that archive!

Thanks,
Ginger

Since you [US "drug tsar" McCaffrey] control a federal budget that has just been increased from $17.8 billion last year to $19.2 billion this year, is asking people like you if we should continue with our nation's current drug policy like a person asking a barber if one needs a haircut? --
                                                              Orange Country, California
                                                                  Los Angeles Times
                                                                    29 March 2000
--Judge James P. Gray

[Lee Ann]

Hi all,
I have been out of town.  Hope everyone had a great Memorial weekend.  Non- Answers???

I am not ashamed of any of the programs I have worked at.  Skyline Journey, Kolob Canyon, Red Fern Ranch, Sorenson's Ranch and Aspen.  
As I believe I said earlier, they have all helped me better understand what a program should and should not be. I know I do a wonderful service for parents who are looking for a program.  For instance, just this past week I saved a kid from going to a program that I personally wouldn't send my dog too.  This is what I am trying to do.  Help parents make informed decisions! I keep getting attacked and all I am trying to do is keep parents from sending their child to a horrible place.  About 80% of the parents I talk to have already made up their minds about sending their teen away.  

I only refer to Utah programs.  And again I am selective to which programs I refer to.  I will NOT send a teen to ANY WWASP programs.

I believe TARRS is the only referral service including Ed. Cons, that have actually worked directly with kids at any program. (If anyone knows different, I would love to know).

There are some states that legal age is as low as 14!  That is unbelievable to me.  As far as I am concerned at 14 these kids are still babies.  Since 18 is the age of majority in Utah, parents can still have a say in what happens to their teen.  It has nothing to do with $$ for these programs.  I worked with a boy whose parents were so desperate that 3 hours before his 18th birthday, they had him escorted to Samoa where the legal age is 21.  Very extreme!!!

I agree, if people, mostly parents, were more invovled with what their kids were doing, there wouldn't be as great a need for "programs".  With a combinded family of 10 kids,( we had custody of all 10) trust me, I know how hard it is to be there for every kid ALL the time.  But it can be done. When it comes right down to it, all our kids really want is our time.
Lee Ann :smile:

[Antigen]

There's something you ought to know about the history of these treatment cults. Every single one that we know of has started out with the aim of providing a kinder, gentler program than the one before. It works a whole lot like the way a church congregation will sometimes split off over some theological or other difference.

In the end, though, there simply is no humane way to change anyone's behavior against their will. The only way to do it is to break their will. Psychic murder, is the way one investigator described the process.

No matter how badly you want to believe you're doing something good, what you're really doing is helping parents to hire people to do things to their children that would land them in prison if they got caught doing it at home.

I view the TOUGHLOVE movement as being very similar to the quacks who convince people that their parents made them bear children for satanic sacrifice and it just slipped their minds until about the 30th hour of 'therapy'. There's nothing wrong with most of these kids. Even those that do have serious problems usually work them out in the normal course of growing up. If you care at all about the kids and parents, quit feeding the parents' sick and sadistic fantasies.

And I should tell you one other thing. Of all the survivors of all these programs, the ones who went on to staff usually have the most severe problems when they come out the other end. Getting beat up is no fun at all. But having the sanctity of your own mind and personality violated to the point where you'll do it to others is a lot harder to live with in the long run.

Good luck with that. I think it's going to be a rough ride for you.

The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good.  
Anonymity Anonymous

[Deborah]

I'm putting this here so it's in a ST thread.
I was having a passionate debate with a mother who had incarcerated her daughter. And of course, the usual responders chimed in.
I went back today. There was a message from the mom, "I started this thread and am going to ask the moderator to end it. Enough is enough!"
I tried to login and reply, mostly to address her arrogance, but several times I got the error message that the password I provided was wrong.
Anyone else ever have this problem?
I imagine it could be a technical error, but it's never happened before. Will try again later.
Deborah

[Antigen]

Deborah, are you still having this trouble? Could you give me a little more info so I can look into it? I certainly haven't blocked you.

An Animated Cartoon Theology:
1. People are animals.
2. The body is mortal and subject to incredible pain.
3. Life is antagonistic to the living.
4. The flesh can be sawed, crushed, frozen, stretched, burned, bombed, and plucked for music.
5. The dumb are abused by the smart and the smart destroyed by their own cunning.
6. The small are tortured by the large and the large destroyed by their own momentum.
7. We are able to walk on air, but only as long as our illusion supports us.
-- E. L. Doctorow "The Book of Daniel"

[Anonymous]

there is a new story in the tico times of June 13 titled (something like) "plenty of finger pointing in dundee ranch closure"   apparently its in the print version,  because i couldn't access it online.

[Anonymous]

see tico times of 6/13: lots of finger pointing in dundee closure; not sure if its available online yet; may be only in print version?

[Deborah]

Sorry Ginger,
I didn't make that clear enough.
The problem is at ST (StrugglingTeens).
No probs here.
Deborah

[Carey]

Anonymous,

How do you know it is in the Tico Times if it is not on line?  How were you able to see "the finger pointing" that you say is in the article?  Unless you live in Costa Rica, I do not see how you could have recieved a hard copy of the June 13 paper on June 15.  

Just trying to understand what you are getting at...and where you are getting it from.

[Anonymous]

My experience of that forum is posts can and will be deleted without explanation except by private email. Second, the board seems to be a gold mine for program recruiters all competing for their share of "desperate parents" seeking placement advice.  One thing that is new is the REPORT A POST button. What that's all about???

[Anonymous]

For Lee Ann,

Just because you wouldn't refer your dog to one Utah-based organization doesn't qualify you as an expert. Try being more specific about your reasons for blackballing certain organizations in favor of others.  Or is that not part of the $800.00 deal?