Westridge & Other Schools(Formerly LDS Perceptions thread)

[_Jersey Girl]

marg,

Apparently you think that I'm unfamiliar with state statutes that regulate the licensing and operation of a variety of private and public programs for youth, behavior modification methods, techniques, theory and practice, what constitutes abuse-neglect-adverse environments and inferior practices.

On all counts, you would be wrong.

As I stated previously, you're preaching to the social and behavorial science choir here.

See this?

Accreditation, Licensure, Approval: State of Utah, Office of Licensing, Department of Human Services, Residential Treatment; Northwest Association of Accredited Schools; California Non-Public School Accreditation; Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
Professional Affiliations: NATSAP-Full Member; AMCAP; National Association of Social Workers

Those are all of the agencies that reports of abuse at Westridge can be made to. These are the agencies that Westridge is accountable to beginning with DHS. That's where you begin. That's where Eric needs to begin. That's where anyone who is interested in resolving issues of suspected abuse and neglect at Westridge would begin.

Eric has stated that he has left messages that have gone unanswered. That's BS. Total and unbelievable BS. If phone messages have been left unanswered, you cart your behind down to DHS with your box/files of evidences and accounts and after waiting in line for what feels like a year, hop up and down on the licensing authorities damn desk, take an attorney if you like.

If your evidence is sound, acted upon, that support other reports that have been filed against Westridge or filed BY Westridge to the state, you stand a chance of having their license pulled pending investigation, their accreditation rescinded, getting abusers arrested and prosecuted, the ranch shut down or the program revamped.

But you don't sit on evidence while you're waiting for a book to be published!

The federal government is already investigating these types of programs for youth, marg. You begin at the beginning and the beginning in this case, is DHS.

[_Jersey Girl]

It's a waste of time as I said in my previous post, for Eric to make reports to social services.

I disagree.

I understand that Utah is an assbackwards state, and they may not act on the report. But if the report is made, it is another form of legal documentation. It creates more ammunition for the place to be either shut down or reformed.

Exactly. You don't "cowboy" your way through the process.

[_Yoda]

If your evidence is sound, acted upon, that support other reports that have been filed against Westridge or filed BY Westridge to the state, you stand a chance of damaging their license, their accreditation, getting abusers arrested and prosecuted, the ranch shut down or the program revamped.

But you don't sit on evidence while you're waiting for a book to be published.

Agreed. I would like to hear Eric address this. As a fellow educator, I concur with everything Jersey Girl has just stated. Her points have merit.

As a parent, the stories of this place that Eric and others have told literally turn my stomach. The thought of any child going through what Eric went through needs to be stopped.

Eric, Jersey Girl's list is the right procedure to follow. Have you looked at these agencies?

Accreditation, Licensure, Approval: State of Utah, Office of Licensing, Department of Human Services, Residential Treatment; Northwest Association of Accredited Schools; California Non-Public School Accreditation; Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
Professional Affiliations: NATSAP-Full Member; AMCAP; National Association of Social Workers

[_marg]

It's a bit late atm, and I'll look at this and respond tomorrow but I'd like to ask both of you, what particular abuse do you think Eric should report, on his own to some gov't authority. Please list them.

[_Yoda]

It's a bit late atm, and I'll look at this and respond tomorrow but I'd like to ask both of you, what particular abuse do you think Eric should report, on his own to some gov't authority. Please list them.

Even with private institutions, in order to house children, they must possess a license from the State to do so. That's why the licensing organizations Jersey Girl mentioned are key to reform or shut down occurring.

There is a specific statute I need to look up and I'll post it here.

It effectively states where Eric needs to start if he hasn't already.

Edited to add--I think we're all on the same side with this one. We all want any abuse that is happening to stop. I'm posting from my iPod Touch. When I get to my full computer, I'll have more ability to find and post that statute.

[_Yoda]

Here is the statute, which includes the legal process for reporting child abuse in Utah:

Child Abuse

Utah Code 62A-4a-403. Reporting requirements.

(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), when any person including persons licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Title 58, Chapter 31b, Nurse Practice Act, has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to incest, molestation, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, he shall immediately notify the nearest peace officer, law enforcement agency, or office of the division. On receipt of this notice, the peace officer or law enforcement agency shall immediately notify the nearest office of the division. If an initial report of child abuse or neglect is made to the division, the division shall immediately notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency. The division shall, in addition to its own investigation, comply with and lend support to investigations by law enforcement undertaken pursuant to a report made under this section.

To report child abuse call 1-800-678-9399 within the State of Utah or, in the Salt Lake Area, 801-281-5151.

The bolded emphasis is mine. This is why I think that it is EXTREMELY important for Eric to file a report, if he hasn't already. Once a report is filed, an investigation can legally be underway. An investigation is going to cause some action. Whether that action results in folks being fired and/or arrested for inappropriate behavior, the place being shut down, etc.....it is the beginning of the end to free-ride abuse happening in that facility.

Eric needs to call that 1-800 #. He also needs to find anyone who has attended Westridge who has had similar treatment to his own within the last seven years. That way he isn't fighting an uphill battle against statute of limitations.

However, even if the only thing he reports is his own abuse, this WILL, at a minimum, get the ball rolling as far as some type of investigation happening.

From what I understand, Jersey Girl also supplied Eric with this information in the Ethics thread before it was locked.

Here is a separate reference to it.

Eric, I know that for whatever reason, you have your differences with Jersey Girl. That's fine. But, you and I have always gotten along. I want to help and have your best interest at heart here....you know that.

Take a look at the statute. PM me if you have questions. I'll try to help.

Jersey Girl, Harmony, and I ALL have backgrounds with counseling, and dealing with Social Services on these types of issues.

Harmony's background is in counseling.

Jersey Girl's background is in Early Childhood Education teaching. She is duty-bound to report abuse, and has had to do it on occasion.

My background is teaching GED courses to High School dropouts at the community college I teach Computer Science courses for. Many of my Continuing Ed students in the GED program are teen-agers who have come from abusive home and institutional situations.

Child abuse is no joke.

We have all seen too much of it. It has to be stopped.

[_marg]

I skimmed your note Liz. When I watched the film I linked to previously to Jersey Girl, it mentioned there are exemptions for licensing alternative schools. If you are interested it's at around the 11:00 minute mark into it. The exemptions apply if the place doesn't accept funding, and if care is on a temporary basis. I looked up Utah and came across this http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r430/r430-008.htm. In reading it, it seems to me they might have the same provision. The 2006 PBS video said that at that time, no license was required, no training mandated, that anyone could set up an alternative school such as Spring Creek Lodge. by the way, Spring Creek just recently shut down, I don't think they were forced to. They were part of the WWASP affiliated schools.

Now also to consider in Eric's case, the events happened 9 years ago, so there may be a statute of limitations. What sort of evidence could he possibly get? What sort of papers and rights did his parents sign over to the school? This is why a lawyer who has expertise in this is the only way to go as far as determining what if anything can be done by legal means.

But you didn't answer my question ... what abuse did Eric discuss that you think he should complain to some gov't authority about? The main abuse in my opinion is really the psychological, but who determines that and decides what is abusive. And what is considered legally abusive? I consider forcing religion onto young kids abusive, you don't. I consider behavior modification techniques of the graded level variety which uses taking away privileges and giving back when earned by compliance has high potential of abuse but are there laws against such a program and are they necessarily abusive?

Once again I'll ask you what did Eric describe of his experiences in that program that you would consider legally abusive? And do you think a gov't authority would look into such a complaint...and would they look into such a complaint if it happened 9 years ago?

[_Yoda]

Once again I'll ask you what did Eric describe of his experiences in that program that you would consider legally abusive? And do you think a gov't authority would look into such a complaint...and would they look into such a complaint if it happened 9 years ago?

Didn't Eric speak about some physical abuse that he received? I believe that one of the officials shoved him up against a wall and choked him?

Was it Eric or one of the other children who had Icy Hot put on his genitals as a form of punishment?

I know there was a situation where another child was literally beaten in front of Eric.

These actions are all outrageous, illegal, and should not be allowed at ANY type of facility for children.

It has been a while since I have looked at Eric's website which lists all of the abuses. I thought I had it bookmarked, but I don't anymore. If you have a link, would you mind posting it? If I see all of the allegations, then I can specify the ones that he should focus on as far as reporting goes.

[_Ray A]

It has been a while since I have looked at Eric's website which lists all of the abuses. I thought I had it bookmarked, but I don't anymore. If you have a link, would you mind posting it? If I see all of the allegations, then I can specify the ones that he should focus on as far as reporting goes.

You can read testimonials Here.

[_marg]

[

Once again I'll ask you what did Eric describe of his experiences in that program that you would consider legally abusive? And do you think a gov't authority would look into such a complaint...and would they look into such a complaint if it happened 9 years ago?

Didn't Eric speak about some physical abuse that he received? I believe that one of the officials shoved him up against a wall and choked him?

Do you really think 9 years later that Eric can complain that he was shoved against a wall and choked by some teacher, that a gov't official is going to look into it?

Was it Eric or one of the other children who had Icy Hot put on his genitals as a form of punishment?

I came across that information on the net by someone who wrote a therapist told his parents when he got home to have him put on Icy Hot. Eric can't complain about someone else, that he knows about from the Net. But again we are talking many years after the alleged incident. The therapist is no longer at the school. Do you think even if the fellow who experienced this complain that the school would be held responsible? It wasn't done on school property. What do you think a gov't official is going to do about this at this point?

there was a situation where another child was literally beaten in front of Eric.

Again liz Eric would have to track down the individual and quite frankly beating is a relative term and what sort of evidence could there possibly be?

These actions are all outrageous, illegal, and should not be allowed at ANY type of facility for children.

What exactly is illegal... if it can't be proven? The kids in these places don't know their legal rights and most have no access to anyone to to be able to make a complaint.

It has been a while since I have looked at Eric's website which lists all of the abuses. I thought I had it bookmarked, but I don't anymore. If you have a link, would you mind posting it? If I see all of the allegations, then I can specify the ones that he should focus on as far as reporting goes.

http://www.mormongulag.com

Report to whom? If utah boys ranch is exempt from licensing, then who does the report go to? Keep in mind, Westridge School is likely legally separate to Utah Boys Ranch. And what is legally required for it, is likely different. As I said I believe the Utah Boys Ranch seems to qualify for as an alternative care facility which is exempt from licensing. Do you know differently. Do you understand what care facilities are exempt from licensing?