Westridge & Other Schools(Formerly LDS Perceptions thread)

[_why me]

Goodk gave a wonderful thank you in his above post. Now can we close this thread? I think that it should be closed since it is not producing good fruit but ridicule by goodk toward jerseygirl.

[_silentkid]

Now can we close this thread? I think that it should be closed since it is not producing good fruit but ridicule by goodk toward jerseygirl.

why me: Congratulations on reaching 1000 posts on this board. That's quite an achievement. In your time posting here, how many threads have you seen get "closed"? Just wondering.

[_why me]

Now can we close this thread? I think that it should be closed since it is not producing good fruit but ridicule by goodk toward jerseygirl.

why me: Congratulations on reaching 1000 posts on this board. That's quite an achievement. In your time posting here, how many threads have you seen get "closed"? Just wondering.

Well, there is always a first. Let me put it this way: Marg and Jersey Girl post post after post. Then goodk appears and insults Jersey Girl and leaves promising to return next week. Now if I were Marg and Jersey Girl I would quite when ahead and close this thread down. I see no point in it.

[_JAK]

This article was interesting with many comments applicable to concerns regarding Westridge. Although Westridge is regulated with the Licensing Dept of the Dept of Health, my impression is that it relies upon self reporting by Westridge and complaints from youth, but that it doesn't actively seek to uncover abuse, or evaluate the program. I'm posting the link for reference purposes and later review.

http://www.apa.org/pi/cyf/specialty_schooling.pdf

by the way this was of interest, as I noted in a previous post it is likely changes were made to regulations in Utah as a facility had shipped their students sometime in 2005 to Montana which had zero regulatory requirements.

An example of such legislation is Utah Senate Bill 107, which was
signed into law in March, 2005; this bill defines “therapeutic schools” and clearly specifies that these programs must be licensed
and regulated like all other residential treatment facilities for youth (S. 107, 2005).

And I'm putting this site here for later review http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2005/bills/sbillenr/sb0107.htm

marg stated:
This article was interesting with many comments applicable to concerns regarding Westridge. Although Westridge is regulated with the Licensing Dept of the Dept of Health, my impression is that it relies upon self reporting by Westridge and complaints from youth, but that it doesn't actively seek to uncover abuse, or evaluate the program. I'm posting the link for reference purposes and later review.

Exactly. As you know Orrin Hatch senator from Utah is a right-wing, Republican Mormon. He is opposed to virtually everything the government (state or federal) would do to regulate. Bob Bennett (the other senator from Utah) is also a conservative Republican. West Ridge appears to be a Mormon operated “facility” or at least approved by the LDS.

To be “licensed” in the state of Utah should give no comfort that West Ridge is well-regulated or policed by any external regulatory group. If it “relies upon self reporting by Westridge and complaints from youth…,” it relies on that which should be viewed with great suspicion.

marg stated:
“by the way this was of interest, as I noted in a previous post it is likely changes were made to regulations in Utah as a facility had shipped their students sometime in 2005 to Montana which had zero regulatory requirements.”

So much for “regulatory requirements.” There are red flags everywhere regarding this “facility” which should cause any objective observer to be skeptical. In the West Ridge website, no mention is made of the cost or of the contract duration for those who are inmates there (or were in the past). Earlier in a post, you asked about cost. Without question, if a minor is sent there and the expense is paid by those who have sent them, there is fine print which is not presented on the website for West Ridge.

What does it cost?
What are the contract restrictions on those who send minors there (parents)? (You gave some information on this question.)

No such “facility” operates without funding. If they accept no external funding from the state or federal government, their accountability is at best, marginal.

Given the conservative mentality of the state senators and the state itself, serious probes into the internal activities of that “facility” should also be in question.

marg stated (in a previous post):
At Westridge and this is fairly common within the teen residential industry... they charge between $3000 - $4,000 per month on average. And it's for however long the youth are there, so there is no incentive to encourage returning youth home.

So long as someone (parent) is willing to keep paying the monthly cost, there is “incentive” to keep “youth” there. That would be particularly the case if numerical capacity is below what the “facility” intends to have. It also would be “incentive” to severely limit contact between youth and parent (or guardian paying the bill).

If West Ridge wants to keep skeletons closeted, it should be an easy task even if someone relates accounts of what happens there who was a virtual prisoner there.

JAK

[_marg]

Liz, I haven't done anything for Eric, he owes me nothing.
I'm simply trying to get a handle on appreciating the issues involved.

Why Me, go defend J Smith's polygamy and quit bugging people
in threads you aren't involved with or interested in.

Eric, that's a good idea regarding contacting your friend Chris,
I was thinking about that recently as he would provide another perspective
and he does a good job expressing himself.

Didn't hear from Bonnie Stuver today, not that I'm expecting to. I had sent an email to her Friday. I'm seeing how long it takes
before I get a response. Today all I did was do
more searches on the Net, some of which was quite informative but I won't get into it at this point.

[_JAK]

I'm going to be completely and blatantly honest with you: you don't know what you're talking about.

LOL.

I'm going to be blatantly honest with you, yes I do. In fact, I'm one of the few here that does. But while we're being honest with each other, you're not only a glorified babysitter whose occupation lends little to zero expertise and understanding to this important discussion, but also a drain on a fragile economy who should be put through an intensive cost-benefit analysis.

As far as "knowing what I'm talking about," LOL again. You need a new routine, this schtick is getting pretty old.

"Jersey Girl"]
Here's a link to the Board of Directors (etc) as of 1 Mar 09.

http://utahboysranch.org/BoardofTrustees/BoardofTrustees.html

Oh My God

I had no idea that list existed! Jersey Girl! How did you find it??!!
I'm shocked to the point of disbelief at your research skills. Surely the local government in your town knows what a resource they have.



Seriously though, this is a really good case study of people in Jersey Girl's profession. First of all, they never ever call themselves what they are - like the garbage man being a "sanitation engineer" - she is a "professional in the social services" or some other self-important sounding title.
Second, they are lazy. Extremely. Most of the questions raised here could be answered by accessing the website I sponsor. Rhetorical questions, ego-stroking questions, stupid questions aren't worthy of my time -- especially now. Third, they are unbelievably egotistical. Jersey Girl, as evidenced by this thread, has contributed zero relevant information specific to West Ridge Academy. She then had the audacity to mention a "consult fee" for her vacuous posts. She has not even been on the right topic - let alone right about any of the details - yet she has the audacity to boast otherwise and call me out. Wow. Your government at work, folks.

Chris Buttars name appears NOWHERE on any of these lists.

Woah. You must have misspoke. "These lists" doesn't exist. A list exists, (courtesy of the organization that had to replace Buttars or lose its tax exempt status) that you found. I have certainly been aware of the website http://www.utahboysranch.org longer than you have (I also happen to have access to the "Parent Portal" section). But congratulations on finding it.

Here is probably the last response Jersey Girl will get, unless she wows me with something compelling:

Buttars is still on the board. Of course he is. It's not even questionable. But what you might be confused by, and what some good "digging" will uncover, is that the board is structured to have an "Executive Committee," "Board Members," and officers.

Exec. Committee:

John R Anderson
W. Dean Belnap
Stephen C. Johnson
U. Shaun Michel
Gary W. Miyasaki
Reed Searle
Colleen Thompson
Chris D Buttars
Delpha Baird

The Board Members:

Harold Christensen
Leonard Driggs
Kimo Esplin
Debi Gilmore
Patrick McBride
James McQueen
Rachelle Rhodes
Howard Schmidt
Steven Williams
Thomas Williamson
Barrie Giles
Dean Belnap
Lavar Christensen
Sally Wyne
Nate Shipp

and the other names on this list

Now I believe you owe me an apology.


My profession for several years was a researcher and I never liked doing other people's work, especially when the payoff is as unrewarding as it is here. Even more so when I have to purchase the court records.

For instance, did you know that "West Ridge Academy" was sold to the city as a "non-correctional boarding school" and then a "private boarding school"? West Ridge Academy is not zoned to be a "residential treatment facility" and the city did not authorize such a place.

Of course you didn't know that. It would require too much effort to dig up that sort of information. How does that mesh with the pages and pages and pages of filler and unrelated fact sheets you've cluttered us with, Jersey Girl? Answer: It doesn't.

Those that know the least about this subject - not just specifically the Mormon Gulag, but the overall subject - have taken over this thread.

But just because Wikipedia's entry on RTF's isn't information I find useful or interesting doesn't mean you can't continue on here. Just don't expect me to be engaged.

Are you attempting to verify the claims that you're making here?

LOL.

For JAK, and others curious, here is the link to the article that contains the Buttars quote I mentioned. It's an interesting read, and the utterance was in fact made while he was the acting Executive Director.

http://archive.deseretnews.com/archive/ ... RANCH.html

But folks; truth is, I'm not an activist. I'm a writer.
I really appreciate Marg's efforts - no matter how unfruitful they will inevitably prove to be. I personally don't have time to do what I've hired Chris Wade to do. Chris is responsible for all the activism, Chris answers emails from former boys, Chris pretty much runs the show in Utah. I don't expect Jersey Girl or Harmony or anyone else who has never visited the website to know this, but most of you do. He is a very capable guy, and would be very open to hearing suggestions, questions, or criticisms. He can be reached at Chris@MormonGulag.com, or at the message board where more than thirty former boys and staff can be contacted. You can read more about the roles of those involved in this noble cause here.

I've spent more time here today than I wanted to, so it'll be a few days before I get to respond again. Cheers.

Eric

You have provided most informative links. Thank you!

JAK

[_Jersey Girl]

marg,

Before I go through the rest of your post, they charge 3K for what and for how long? Did you see that on the website? I'm in the middle of something or I'd look for it myself. Hope your still "on" and see this.

At Westridge and this is fairly common within the teen residential industry... they charge between $3000 - $4,000 per month on average. And it's for however long the youth are there, so there is no incentive to encourage returning youth home.

3-4K for 24 hour daily care, food, shelter, therapeutic services, doesn't seem extraordinary to me. I suspect that one compelling reason for youth to return home, would be empty pockets on the part of parents. ;-) If I recall correctly, insurance doesn't cover this school nor do they offer assistance.

Did you see assistance of any sort?

[_Jersey Girl]

This article was interesting with many comments applicable to concerns regarding Westridge. Although Westridge is regulated with the Licensing Dept of the Dept of Health, my impression is that it relies upon self reporting by Westridge and complaints from youth, but that it doesn't actively seek to uncover abuse, or evaluate the program. I'm posting the link for reference purposes and later review.

marg, in the second sentence of your post did you mean the Licensing Dept of the Department of Human Services or did you find a hierarchy where the DHS is overseen by the Department of Health in Utah?

The reporting would be, as you say, self reporting that are verifiable by other resources/agencies (like the student who accesses unlocked meds (violation), requires emergency services and law enforcement...no choice for the school but to report that) and reports of violations by the consumer (parents) or the community (observers of public abuse/neglect such as passersby or facilities support such as plumbers, electricians, delivery persons, folks who would have incidental access to the school).

[_Jersey Girl]

Buttars is still on the board. Of course he is. It's not even questionable. But what you might be confused by, and what some good "digging" will uncover, is that the board is structured to have an "Executive Committee," "Board Members," and officers.

Exec. Committee:

John R Anderson
W. Dean Belnap
Stephen C. Johnson
U. Shaun Michel
Gary W. Miyasaki
Reed Searle
Colleen Thompson
Chris D Buttars
Delpha Baird

The Board Members:

Harold Christensen
Leonard Driggs
Kimo Esplin
Debi Gilmore
Patrick McBride
James McQueen
Rachelle Rhodes
Howard Schmidt
Steven Williams
Thomas Williamson
Barrie Giles
Dean Belnap
Lavar Christensen
Sally Wyne
Nate Shipp

and the other names on this list

Now I believe you owe me an apology.

I owe you an apology for what? For posting a link to a list that I already posted (the link's disabled at present) that doesn't contain the "Executive Committee" that you conveniently attached to the Board of Director's list?

Where is your documentation for the "Executive Committee"?

What position does Buttars currently hold on the "Executive Committee"?

[_Jersey Girl]

You have provided most informative links. Thank you!

Would you mind comparing the informative links to the context of Eric's post and point me in the direction of the list of officers of the "Executive Committee" that appears anywhere on the link he supplied?

I don't see it. Do you?

If you see it, would you show me what office Buttars currently holds on the "Executive Committee"?