Nothing that blueFire told me was accurate. A very autistic girl was regularly restrained for spinning around. This page includes several publications related to preventing child abuse, protecting children from the risk of abuse, and promoting healthy I learned that the only way to survive is to comply. This is the most common response. Corrective Action Plan (CAP): This requires facility administrators to submit a plan to correct the violations, and the Office of Licensing monitors. If you are a parent thinking of sending your child here, I am begging you not to. The Tribune created a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $11,000 from 136 donors. One girl tried to kill herself and they would not allow anyone to talk to her for a week. Every year during National Prevention Week (NPW), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) celebrates communities, organizations, and individuals that are working to promote substance misuse prevention and positive mental health. Anonymous, submitted directly to Wiki, 10/22/2020: (SURVIVOR) I was sent to Moonridge Academy in 2016 at age 12, which focused a lot on school and therapy. The Office of Licensing then determines whether a critical incident occurred, and plans next steps to investigate. It includes a summary of the incident that was reported, and what actions a facility has taken and plans to take in response. Instead of giving me space like I requested, an adult insisted on sitting next to me. I feel like I should have been required to eat a smaller amount of food, but that was never considered. Paris Hilton, Utah lawmaker celebrate restrictions on troubled-teen centers. Our daughter was at Moonridge and management failed her on every level with a fraudulent smile on their faces and the sing-song sound of their voices. The document includes a log of how the Office of Licensing investigated and its conclusions. Moonridge Academy believes that younger girls should be treated in a loving and nurturing setting that recognizes the unique age and maturity level of girls this age. Youth should be believed about child sexual abuse, she said. GRACES STORY "I was sent - Breakingcodesilence sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Ross recently sent lengthy emails, some including graphic and violent threats, to Utah legislators demanding they investigate, which. Academy By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. She currently works as a Lead Therapist at Evoke Therapy Intensives. Safety is when you always have to stand next to a staff member and you are watched in the bathroom. Family therapy usually meant I got blamed for everything that went wrong and my therapist nodded a bunch. Email us at teentreatment@sltrib.com. I remember telling the staff and my therapist that I felt like a zombie, and they said I was being dramatic. That information should be easy to get. It has also been reported that male staff will participate in strip-searching the female residents. It was tedious and humiliating. One girl tried running away and one of the staff members (a very large Samoan guy) sat on her for over an hour in the dirt. They used our coping skills as punishments. I remember crying a little while telling someone about how I felt once, and the next day, I learned I did not have free time because my daily grade had been too low from crying. One of them did not think I showered for long enough in my 12-minute time frame. If you are LGBTQ and need support, call the Trevor Project Hotline 1-866-488-7386, If you are having suicidal thoughts, call toll free 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741, If you are a child being abused or know of a child being abused call toll free 1-800-422-4453. Theyre also keeping a close watch on staff, Pope said, to ensure they dont have favorites or push boundaries. On this level, residents earn more trivial privileges like being able to wear eyeliner. Together we can make a difference! Students who come to Moonridge Academy are often beginning to experiment with high risk behaviors. She gave me a Consequence that said I had to have a female staff member watch me in the shower for the next three days to prove I was washing my hair. Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitation - St George. Even years later, I still wake up drenched in sweat, afraid that I will be sent back despite my parents admitting it was the worst mistake they have ever made. I want her to come home. She currently works as a Lead Therapist at Evoke Therapy Intensives. National Interstate Compact Laws (ICPC): This refers to laws adopted by each state that require case workers or parents to have certain documents filled out when a child is going from one state to another for treatment or adoption services. Tawny Thomas worked as the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for girls aged 11-14. I had a panic attack on my first day but instead of helping me, they threatened to physically restrain me. Moonridge Academy - TeenLife She previously worked as the Clinical Director of Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. He added that most incidents are investigated and deemed unsubstantiated. Thats what comes to mind when I think of Moonridge Academy. Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. I'm surprised she didn't die. However that was just driving to Kolob Canyon (the equally bad sister school to Moonridge for older teen girls) and shoveling horse manure and moving hay bales for hours at a time. Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. The remaining funds will be used to assist The Tribune in future public records disputes. My time in treatment ranges from bad to traumatic. Not even a cough drop. Provo Canyon Schools boys campus had a rate of reported sex crimes that is 4.4 times higher than the average Utah facility, according to The Tribunes analysis. Email us at teentreatment@sltrib.com. Here are some definitions that might help as you read the records: Staff-to-client ratios: Utah rules say there must be one staff member for every four students. According to the organization Safe Teen Schools, "CERTS is an abusive umbrella corporation for boarding schools for troubled youth. One girl tried to kill herself and they wouldnt allow anyone to talk to her for a week. Former Students At Utah Troubled-Teen Centers Say Their For more information, please see our But it has been hard to identify what places have a good track record and which ones dont. She was also restrained for saying she didnt want to do a chore. It includes a summary of the incident that was reported, and what actions a facility has taken and plans to take in response. A few of the current staffers are holdovers, and the former owner still lives in a home on the sprawling property. I could go on and on with the stories. In the past decade, there have been 37 lawsuits filed in Utah against troubled-teen facilities and 40% have involved allegations of sexual misconduct. Multiple staff members would swear and threaten me if I did anything wrong, even walking too slowly. She also worked as the Executive Director of Kolob Canyon RTC, and Director of Outreach at La Europa Academy and Kaizen Academy, which are all CERTS programs. Its impossible for kids to articulate that theyre being sexually abused when they dont know what sex, abuse or sexual abuse is, he said. She has been at blueFire for 90 days. Robert said that even if workers found out what was happening, no one told the authorities like they were required to do. In 2005, the State of Maine began investigating Moonridge Academy and the quality of its program. Lastly, the level program is cult-like. Moonridge Academy states that it enrolls girls, including transgender girls, with a history of attachment issues, depression, anxiety, self-harm, school refusal, family conflict, sexual boundaries, computer addiction, attention issues and low-level substance abuse. Please research alternatives for RTCs. Have hated that song since. I threw up from eating too much. We recommend that no parent send their child to a facility that is run by CERTS., is the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy and, program. She was also restrained for saying she did not want to do a chore. As a result, Moonridge offers all of the clinical intensity of an outstanding residential treatment center (small clinical case loads, 2 individual therapy sessions weekly, weekly family therapy sessions via the telephone, deep family systems work, etc.) Utahs Office of Licensing inspects and regulates each facility, and sometimes finds Just let her use the bathroom. Level systems have been used in many confirmedly abusive programs, including the notoriously abusive WWASP programs. One of the girls was anemic and by the time the staff took her to the hospital two weeks later, she was close to dying. They are also now considered an upper level and reportedly receive preferential treatment from staff. Another girl would frequently act out and the staff got sick of it so they told us to gather around her in a circle and chant your parents are never coming to get you at her until she laid on the floor in the fetal position crying. Any comments about blueFire and/or Moonridge would be appreciated, Scan this QR code to download the app now. Make sure your post is relevant to the Troubled Teen Industry. I witnessed physical abuse. I was not allowed to go to the bathroom without being watched. Once a week there's a "level ceremony" where the staff and students had to sit on the floor and lock arms and sway back and forth while "The Reason" by Hoobastank played. No, she was not at risk of hitting someone, and no, she was not hurting herself. Join us in our fight to combat abuse and neglect in 'troubled teen' programs! Group therapy included either talking about how you felt, or getting a consequence and having no free time. The average length of stay is 10-12 months. Moonridge Academy provides a specialized unique learning and healing environment for younger teen gi Moonridge Academy | Cedar City UT We recommend that no parent send their child to a facility that is run by CERTS.". Moonridge The result is a unique and acclaimed treatment approach that effectively treats significant issues while still maintaining a comparatively sheltered environment in a place that "feels like home. It has been reported that phone calls are closely monitored by staff. The program was traumatic for her as well. Grace (BreakingCodeSilence), 3/18/2020: (PARENT) Looking for a therapeutic boarding school for your daughter? WebCall 888-406-5968 Home CERTS Programs La Europa Academy Kolob Canyon Moonridge Academy Mountain Springs Prep Academy Mosaic House CERTS Therapy Art Therapy DBT Therapy Equine Therapy Experiential Therapy About Us Blog FAQs Parents Bill of Rights Contact Us Call 888-406-5968 Menu control Posted on January 23, 2019 by My parents were told I would say it is a bad place. The program has a maximum enrollment of 24 girls, and the average length of stay is reportedly between 9 and 12 months. She suggested lowering the number of kids in a facility, and increasing staff. Lastly, the level program is cult-like. This level typically lasts 1-6 months. Communication with family is considered a privilege which must be earned by the teenager. It was abusive, one 15-year-old girl told The Tribune. I was told I was fine when I said I was depressed. One girl tried to kill herself and they would not allow anyone to talk to her for a week. She was not being unsafe. Two weeks after she first started saying she needed a doctor, they took her to the hospital. All five are for-profit facilities, though the new owners of Cedar Ridge turned it into a nonprofit. These notices are published on the states website, and facilities are required to inform their clients of the action and post it on their own website. Moonridge Academy is closely affiliated with, , CERTS is an abusive umbrella corporation for boarding schools for troubled youth. He gave kids medications they werent prescribed so often, a lawsuit later alleged, they called him the candy man.. Once a week theres a level ceremony where the staff and students had to sit on the floor and lock arms and sway back and forth while The Reason by Hoobastank played. Few make false allegations, although some might misread a situation due to their histories. Another for talking back. There was group therapy, family therapy, and individual therapy. Staff refuse to let students use the bathrooms until we peed our pants. Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Family therapy usually meant I got blamed for everything that went wrong and my therapist nodded a bunch. I was demoted from level 4 to level 1 for kissing another girl. The only good thing about this place is they dont have bars on the windows so you can smash them. Read the violation reports and inspections for Utahs troubled Offering a hotline or a similar method for kids to report abuse could become standard in Utah. And well be adding more records to this database in the days to come. I had (diagnosed) ADHD, which led to emotional and physical abuse from my parents growing up. At the time, journaling and drawing were my only healthy coping skills. In 2005, the State of Maine began investigating Moonridge Academy and the quality of its program. This is not an exaggeration. If we didn't eat all of the food on our plates at every meal (which was mostly chunks of meat with large pieces of fat attached-- yes, we were forced to eat the fat too) we had to sign a "food refusal form" and lost privileges like free time and your weekly phone call. Let us know if you find something noteworthy in these documents. Making sure that two staffers are always with the children, she said, is a safeguard that could prevent one employee from sexually abusing a child. I was not allowed to go to the bathroom without being watched. These notices are published on the states website, and facilities are required to inform their clients of the action and post it on their own website. Lydia Kauppi, a parent of a student in the district, said its unsettling to know that her familys private information It has also been reported that male staff will participate in strip-searching the female residents. Anonymous, I was sent to Moonridge Academy in 2016 at age 12, which focused a lot on school and therapy. The investigation involves a female staff member at Cedar Ridge had a history of reports of sexual abuse. I only actually rode a horse there maybe 4 times. Jewly Krause is a manipulative woman who just wants your money, this place will not help you or your child, it will simply cause your child to push their issues deep down. Multiple staff members would swear and threaten me if I did anything wrong, even walking too slowly. Notice of Agency Action (NAA): The Office of Licensing issues a notice that outlines violations, and requires them to be fixed within a certain time frame or the facility would lose its license. In response to an appeal, the Office of Licensing lowered its estimate to $4,582. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for girls aged 11-14. Staff member accused of possible sexual assault at Hillcrest We are a community of survivors and advocates who oppose the abusive Troubled Teen Industry. The facilities must keep these records on file. If you are a parent thinking of sending your child here, I am begging you not to. The school falsely advertises. The boys received a minor punishment, he said, but it wasnt reported to authorities. Look somewhere else. And state records show regulators were investigating as recently as last July that yet another staff member had an inappropriate relationship with a student. After 2 months I can visit her any time and eventually take her for the wknd. WebWe provide academics for grades 6-9. The Childrens Bureau, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prepared a web page for the initiative. They did not have a solitary confinement room at Moonridge. I followed the rules and pretended I was doing better so I could go home. It is not considered a penalty. Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. With the money from the crowdfunding campaign, we were able to expand the database to include youth wilderness therapy programs. I remember opening up to my therapist about how awful I felt, maybe five months into my time at Moonridge. The program was traumatic for her as well." Many of the girls there had severe mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar, etc) and the staff were completely untrained in dealing with them. "Moonridge Academy is a Residential Treatment Center that provides clinical services and academic services to younger teenage girls aged 11-15 years old. My 13yo daughters father is trying to send her to Moonridge. behavior-modification program founded in 2004. Group therapy included either talking about how you felt or getting a Consequence and having no Free Time. But youll always find that theyre not necessarily healthy environments. These behaviors might include school refusal, self-harm, eating disorders, withdrawing from others, angry outbursts, poor peer and family relationships, and low-level substance abuse. All he does is insist that you should never pull your daughter from the program before she graduates. She also worked as the Executive Director of, worked as the Clinical Director of Moonridge Academy from 2005 until 2008. 0:04. This is not an exaggeration. Some of these rules include: If residents break a rule, they are given a punishment. Researchers must ask permission before submitting their surveys or interview requests. Im surprised she didnt die. This database includes only critical incidents where the facility is found to have violated a rule. Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. She did schoolwork in a different room, but she still ate meals with us. He has also previously worked as the Clinical Director of the resportedly abusive programs Sunrise RTC and Discovery Ranch for Girls. I worked my way back up to level 3, until one morning I had reached my emotional limit and found myself unable to get out of bed due to depression. No posts praising a Troubled Teen Program. One of the therapies they promoted was horseback riding. The Office of Licensing then determines whether a critical incident occurred, and plans next steps to investigate. Owners who claim this profile can update information, boost SEO, and more. Practice that while your child is in treatment. Communication with family is considered a privilege which must be earned by the teenager. This is a checklist that a worker with the Office of Licensing takes with them when they walk through a youth residential treatment center or wilderness program. Notice of Agency Action (NAA): The Office of Licensing issues a notice that outlines violations, and requires them to be fixed within a certain time frame or the facility would lose its license. I was regularly threatened, sworn at, belittled, compared to the other girls, lied about, manipulated and made fun of by staff and students alike. It was awful there. One of the girls was anemic and by the time the staff took her to the hospital two weeks later, she was close to dying. After revelations of sexual abuse claims, lawmakers drop Unlicensed therapists, verbal and emotional abuse, medical neglect, and psychological manipulation. WebThere have also been reports made by survivors of sexual abuse occurring at the hands of RCA staff members. SAMHSAs National Prevention Week - Resources for Here are some definitions that might help as you read the records: Staff-to-client ratios: Utah rules say there must be one staff member for every four students. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Im completely stable now and happy, no thanks to moonridge. A couple years ago, I went to a treatment center because I was depressed and not doing school work. The program is located at 9450 West 2400 South, Cedar City, UT 84721. I still have nightmares about this place." The Tribune generally does not identify alleged victims of sexual abuse, but those named in this story agreed to the use or partial use of their names. (4) That any program that rushes you into making a placement decision by urging you to act now, must be considered suspect. It was bad enough that my therapist had me fill out a form on her computer stating one of the incidents, where a staff swore at me for not walking fast enough for her liking. Not to mention the puppy that they got for us was left outside without food and eventually died of starvation. The Tribune also analyzed police dispatch records for 64 troubled-teen treatment centers and calculated how often police were called on a per-bed rate. The I had (diagnosed) ADHD, which led to emotional and physical abuse from my parents growing up. When a violation is found, the state can take the following actions: Written notification: The office can give written notice that a violation took place with no formal follow-up. But Milne said there are ways to reduce this type of abuse. She also works at Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. Instances of abuse and neglect that have been reported by survivors include excessive restraints, staff abusing their power, punitive punishments, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. They would restrain us before accessing the situation and would use restraining as a punishment. abuse Family therapy usually meant I got blamed for everything that went wrong and my therapist nodded a bunch. If I had not eaten that much, I would have been put on safety and a female staff member would have watched me in the bathroom for the next three days. When it released the records, the office said it took less than half of the hours estimated to fulfill the request, and refunded more than $2,600. Rather than attempting to help me process my trauma, staff at MRA brainwashed me into even further believing everything was my fault and I was the only problem. When I first got there, they searched my bag, which is understandable, and made me strip off all my clothes in a bathroom. I remember crying a little while telling someone about how I felt once, and the next day, I learned I did not have free time because my daily grade had been too low from crying. No journals, books, art supplies, stress balls, kinetic sand. Corrective Action Plan (CAP): This requires facility administrators to submit a plan to correct the violations, and the Office of Licensing monitors. He was 13 years old then and kept getting into trouble. Provo Canyon School is fighting a lawsuit in which a mother alleges her 14-year-old son was sexually abused by another boy in 2017. Another girl would frequently act out and the staff got sick of it so they told us to gather around her in a circle and chant your parents are never coming to get you at her until she laid on the floor in the fetal position crying. I threw up from eating too much. There was sexual, physical, and constant emotional abuse. 05/01/23. I was once again demoted to level 1 and lost my privileges of privacy in the bathroom and social interaction for several weeks. There was group therapy, family therapy and group therapy. Her period was way too heavy and shes a vegetarian. They wouldnt give me painkillers when I had a sore throat and a fever. WebUtahs Office of Licensing inspects and regulates each facility, and sometimes finds neglect, child abuse or sexual misconduct. It blatantly was. Alex said he spent much of his childhood in institutionalized care and juvenile lockups, and described Provo Canyon School as not healthy., It wasnt a healthy environment, he said. On this level, residents get ready to go home and gain additional privileges and freedoms. I remember telling the staff and my therapist that I felt like a zombie, and they said I was being dramatic. Kids are cut off from the outside world, he said. She only said she was worried I still felt that way. The facilities must keep these records on file. Over 90,000 businesses use Birdeye everyday to get more reviews and manage all customer feedback. Please click on the buttons below to link you to our most important resources on the Subreddit Wiki. The state already makes these notices public, and they can be found here. It also led to criminal charges, settled lawsuits, and, more recently, a change in ownership. The level system is from 1-7, its extremely punitive. Have hated that song since. I was overfed to the point that I puked. Moonridge Academy has been a NATSAP member since 2012. Moonridge Academy was not a healthy place for anyone, much less adolescents with mental health issues. We are continuing to ask for your help. When The Tribune initially asked for these records, the Office of Licensing estimated it would cost more than $6,250. Nothing happened. Dominate search results. Sometimes his punishment would be sitting on the floor, legs crossed for hours. WebMoonridge Academy admits girls between the ages of 11 and 14--young teens. If you are a parent thinking of sending your child here, I am begging you not to. Moonridge Academy is a CERTS behavior-modification program founded in 2004. Thats how I got out after a year mistreatment from this place, I dont regret it. Two had been residents when it was still Cedar Ridge. The amount of food we ate was larger than what I was used to, and I was very small. They would restrain us before accessing the situation and would use restraining as a punishment. This type of abuse, experts say, happens more often when there isnt enough staff to keep an eye on the kids and one another. Have hated that song since. I was given medication that did not help and made me feel sick. Jalane Christian-Stoker worked as the Clinical Director of Moonridge Academy from 2005 until 2008. Scars, moles, scrapes. I was demoted from level 4 to level 1 for kissing another girl. They would restrain us before accessing the situation and would use restraining as a punishment. Moonridge Academy states that it enrolls girls, including transgender girls, with a history of attachment issues, depression, anxiety, self-harm, school refusal, family conflict, sexual boundaries, computer addiction, attention issues and low-level substance abuse. While the therapists are good at their job, the management is LACKLUSTER at best, and they are prone to taking the easy way out vs REALLY helping or caring for their girls. One of them didnt think I showered for long enough in my twelve minute time frame. Utah officials want your help as they draft new rules for the troubled-teen industry. Teen vomited on multiple days before dying of infection at Utah boarding school, state finds. (3) That any program that refers to troubled teens must be considered suspect. I witnessed emotional abuse. There was strong evidence that Geary Oakes had sexually abused four boys on the campus located at the end of a remote road in rural Utah. We are continuing to ask for your help. The Salt Lake Tribune is making public thousands of inspections and critical incidents reports in this free, searchable database.
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