Find a different boarding school for your daughter. , I was a student here, the staff is extremely out of line. Make sure your post is relevant to the Troubled Teen Industry. This database includes only critical incidents where the facility is found to have violated a rule. This page includes several publications related to preventing child abuse, protecting children from the risk of abuse, and promoting healthy 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 not allowed to go to the bathroom without being watched. A very autistic girl was regularly restrained for spinning around. Oakes wasnt the only Cedar Ridge staffer to sexually abuse a child. Not every troubled-teen facility in Utah sees a high number of reports of sexual abuse, whether that is staff harming children or youths acting out sexually on one another. Let us know if you find something noteworthy in these documents. Moonridge Academy is closely affiliated with, , CERTS is an abusive umbrella corporation for boarding schools for troubled youth. My parents were told I would say it is a bad place. WebStudents who come to Moonridge Academy are often beginning to experiment with high risk behaviors. He pleaded no contest in 2010 and was 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. She did schoolwork in a different room, but she still ate meals with us. 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. When I expressed as much, I was told I would hurt myself if I was left alone. - Emily (Yelp), 2/10/2021: (SURVIVOR) "Rosie and I were brought to Moonridge Academy in Utah. 3/26/2021: (SURVIVOR) I wish I could give this place negative stars. Few make false allegations, although some might misread a situation due to their histories. Owners who claim this profile can update information, boost SEO, and more. This type of abuse, experts say, happens more often when there isnt enough staff to keep an eye on the kids and one another. Unlicensed therapists, verbal and emotional abuse, medical neglect, and psychological manipulation. Not to mention the puppy that they got for us was left outside without food and eventually died of starvation. They did not have a solitary confinement room at Moonridge. Im completely stable now and happy, no thanks to moonridge. Corrective Action Plan (CAP): This requires facility administrators to submit a plan to correct the violations, and the Office of Licensing monitors. Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. According to the organization Safe Teen Schools, "CERTS is an abusive umbrella corporation for boarding schools for troubled youth. Some of these rules include: If residents break a rule, they are given a punishment. 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. I was taken from Second Nature Blue Ridge wilderness therapy in Clayton, Georgia to Moonridge Academy in Cedar City, Utah via transport service in March 2011. We are a community of survivors and advocates who oppose the abusive Troubled Teen Industry. 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. This is the most common response. Like other behavior-modification programs, Moonridge Academy uses a level system consisting of 6 levels. At that time, it was just a house on a hill surrounded by wilderness and dirt. And promise more reforms. Redcliff Ascent Wilderness Program - BREAKING CODE SILENCE Lastly, the level program is cult-like. They wouldnt give me painkillers when I had a sore throat and a fever. Multiple staff members would swear and threaten me if I did anything wrong, even walking too slowly. $150,000$350,000 $150K$350K loan to MOONRIDGE ACADEMY LLC Moonridge Web0:04. She also worked as the Executive Director of, worked as the Clinical Director of Moonridge Academy from 2005 until 2008. I had a panic attack on my first day but instead of helping me, they threatened to physically restrain me. This is not an exaggeration. Academy One girl almost died because she had anemia and was told she was faking it when she told staff she was sick. The facilities must keep these records on file. Thats what comes to mind when I think of Moonridge Academy. "Moonridge Academy is a Residential Treatment Center that provides clinical services and academic services to younger teenage girls aged 11-15 years old. This is the most common response. Theyre also keeping a close watch on staff, Pope said, to ensure they dont have favorites or push boundaries. Support investigative reporting like this. We had no voice., A project supported by The California Endowment, He raped me, Ross recalled in a recent interview. I threw up from eating too much. In the past decade, there have been 37 lawsuits filed in Utah against troubled-teen facilities and 40% have involved allegations of sexual misconduct. Please look elsewhere for your child. He began his career in the TTI as a Therapist at the confirmedly abusive, . He pleaded no contest in 2010 and was sent to prison. We are continuing to ask for your help. Alex, a 36-year-old from Alaska, said he experienced similar abuse at Provo Canyon School nearly two decades ago. The doctor told her she would have died if she had come in even half a day later. WebMoonridge Academy states that it enrolls girls, including transgender girls, with a history of attachment issues, depression, anxiety, self-harm, school refusal, family conflict, sexual 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. Lydia Kauppi, a parent of a student in the district, said its unsettling to know that her familys private information This website uses cookies and third party services. Other states have made similar databases public, but Utah requires people who want to see these records to pay for the cost of redacting private information, such as the names of children receiving treatment. 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. The average length of stay is 10-12 months. That meant we couldnt have free time for a week. Have hated that song since. In response to an appeal, the Office of Licensing lowered its estimate to $4,582. Lise Milne, a professor at the University of Regina in Canada, has researched child sexual abuse among youths in residential treatment. All rights reserved. They tell me I can visit. RCA in the News Many teenagers have run away from Redcliff Ascent over the years. But it has been hard to identify what places have a good track record and which ones dont. 0:53. I remember opening up to my therapist about how awful I felt, maybe five months into my time at Moonridge. The only good thing about this place is they dont have bars on the windows so you can smash them. Those children that are being abused today, youre not going to hear from them until 10 to 15 years from now., Management at Provo Canyon School denies Ross allegation and told The Tribune in a statement that it considers his mischaracterizations to be detrimental to those seeking mental health care today.. The first thing I noticed is how dumb the bright red door looked. As soon as I arrived, I was put on a cocktail of multiple medications at high dosages and because of this, theres full periods of time that I dont even remember. WebDate. I wish I could give this place negative stars. 04/27/23. This practice can be extremely harmful and traumatic to children, especially those with histories of sexual abuse. 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. Some of the children in these sorts of facilities have already experienced trauma, Milne said, and they sometimes try to cope through sexualized behaviors. Join us in our fight to combat abuse and neglect in 'troubled teen' programs! But youll always find that theyre not necessarily healthy environments. 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. led to the attorney generals office charging him with two felonies. Grow your business. This is not an exaggeration. 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. I was sworn at daily, regularly forced to eat so much food that I threw up and I was only allowed to use the bathroom at certain times. This place traumatized me. My friend was slapped across the face for not finishing her dinner. Communication with family is considered a privilege which must be earned by the teenager. Robb admitted to the crime and was also sent to prison. Must ask permission to enter/exit any room including bathroom, Must eat at least 50% of large portions or receive consequence, Silence where they are not allowed to speak to anybody. Jack Hinman is the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy and Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. I was abused at Moonridge Academy : troubledteens - Reddit Not to mention the puppy that they got for us was left outside without food and eventually died of starvation. Moonridge Academy is closely affiliated with Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. The program is located at 9450 West 2400 South, Cedar City, UT 84721. Do yourself a favor. 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. WebMoonridge Academy girls address issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, school refusal, family conflict, sexual boundaries, computer addiction, attention issues, and low But it has been hard to identify what places have a good track record and which ones dont. He later said in a deposition that he wished Cedar Ridge had better policies and supervision in place. Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. It took half an hour. This is possible because of the donations from more than 100 people. The only good that came from it is making one friend who I still talk to regularly. 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. Aaron Ross was constantly in isolation during his three years at Provo Canyon School in the early 2000s. 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. Im outnumbered by professionals insisting she needs this. Insisting she cant come home for a visit, and must go straight there. It was abusive, one 15-year-old girl told The Tribune. She only said she was worried I still felt that way. Utahs Office of Licensing inspects and regulates each facility, and sometimes finds 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. I was told I was fine when I said I was depressed. Learn more about Birdeye, How to respond to negative reviews - business owners guide. I dont eat chicken because I raise them as pets, but I was forced to eat it at Moonridge Academy. I was overfed to the point that I puked. Join us in our fight to combat abuse and neglect in 'troubled teen' programs! There was sexual, physical, and constant emotional abuse. Transitioning Home After Residential Treatment Expect It: Regression When your child moves from more structure to less structure, you are giving them the opportunity to make more choices. One of the therapies they promoted was horseback riding. At this point, its not about what happened to me 10 or 15 years ago. Staff member accused of possible sexual assault at Hillcrest She said sex abuse in group care settings is staggeringly high in both the United States and Canada. The only good thing about this place is they dont have bars on the windows so you can smash them. 05/01/23. 9450 W 2400 S, Cedar City, UT 84720 United States, Specialties Please click on the buttons below to link you to our most important resources on the Subreddit Wiki. Staffs response to me not getting out of bed was to restrain me on the ground for hours. If you are a parent thinking of sending your child here, I am begging you not to. The amount of food we ate was larger than what I was used to, and I was very small. (1) That the wilderness programs, therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers, and bootcamps that comprise the Troubled Teen Industry are almost entirely unregulated, unlicensed, and uninspected by the authorities. I learned that the only way to survive is to comply. Offering a hotline or a similar method for kids to report abuse could become standard in Utah. Donate to The Salt Lake Tribune today. Level systems have been used in many confirmedly abusive programs, including the notoriously abusive WWASP programs. Private Schools in Cedar City - u/CharredMarshmallows (Reddit), 3/18/2020: (PARENT) "Looking for a therapeutic boarding school for your daughter? One of the therapies they promoted was horseback riding. I can communicate with her privately every wk. We were told if we refused food three times, we would be sent to the hospital and hooked up to an IV. I was told I was fine when I said I was depressed. A few of the current staffers are holdovers, and the former owner still lives in a home on the sprawling property. But it hasnt been. The Tribune created a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $11,000 from 136 donors. And state records show regulators were investigating as recently as last July that yet another staff member had an inappropriate relationship with a student. Look somewhere else. It includes a summary of the incident that was reported, and what actions a facility has taken and plans to take in response. Ten have involved staffers sexually abusing children, while five allege students acting out sexually on one another. Have hated that song since. Some of these rules include: If residents break a rule, they are given a punishment. That information should be easy to get. Monitored/restricted communication is one of the WWASP Program Red Flags as it creates an environment in which children are unable to report abuse and neglect. 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. $150,000$350,000 $150K$350K loan to 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. 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. We seek to raise awareness and to change the law to protect the teenagers in these programs from harm. Staff's response to me not getting out of bed was to restrain me on the ground for hours. I was demoted from level 4 to level 1 for kissing another girl. WebResidential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities MOONRIDGE ACADEMY LLC 9450 W 2400 S CEDAR CITY, UT 84720. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text, Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. Many of the girls there had severe mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar, etc) and the staff were completely untrained in dealing with them. The only staff members that treated us well were Gwen, Danny, Karolin (Caroline?). Group therapy included either talking about how you felt or getting a Consequence and having no Free Time. 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. Just let her use the bathroom. I followed the rules and pretended I was doing better so I could go home. 3/26/2021: (SURVIVOR) "I wish I could give this place negative stars. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. They need deep treatment and staff and the counselors there, are not equipped to deliver what the girls need. Sometimes his punishment would be sitting on the floor, legs crossed for hours. 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. Even when I was crying. One of the girls got sick. Is any of this actually true? So please for me and every other kid that was hurt by this place, never send your kids here Wilson (Google Reviews), HEAL Program Information Moonridge Academy. They would restrain us before accessing the situation and would use restraining as a punishment. Cedar Ridge Academy has a new owner now and a new name as of February, Makana Leadership Academy but reminders of the schools past loom throughout the remote, 109-acre campus that stretches over a large swath of the Uinta Basin. One girl tried to kill herself and they wouldnt allow anyone to talk to her for a week. At this time, all violations are weighed equally, so a ripped van seat counts the same as kids complaining they arent given enough to eat. I still have nightmares about this place. . These reports are based on a complaint or an incident occurring at the facility. Moonridge Academy Reviews, Ratings | Education near 9450 W They also involved our family in the process through weekly therapy sessions and family seminar weekends. I was sent to Moonridge in 2003 when I was 13 years old. GRACES STORY "I was sent - Breakingcodesilence Does anyone have any positive experience to share? Im surprised she didnt die. 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.

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