It has also been reported that male staff will participate in strip-searching the female residents. And well be adding more records to this database in the days to come. I remember opening up to my therapist about how awful I felt, maybe five months into my time at Moonridge. I cried in my sleep almost every night and staff would tell me to shut up. $150,000$350,000 $150K$350K loan to There was sexual, physical, and constant emotional abuse. 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. I remember opening up to my therapist about how awful I felt, maybe five months into my time at Moonridge. 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 I was once again demoted to level 1 and lost my privileges of privacy in the bathroom and social interaction for several weeks. Get more reviews from your customers with Birdeye. I was yelled at for the smallest things, like forgetting to line up my shoes or not asking to enter a room. 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. Jalane Christian-Stoker worked as the Clinical Director of Moonridge Academy from 2005 until 2008. Support also came from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Donate to The Salt Lake Tribune today. WebAn investigation is underway after a possible incident between a worker and student at a school in Springfield Township. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Teen treatment registry. WebMoonridge Academy girls address issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, school refusal, family conflict, sexual boundaries, computer addiction, attention issues, and low Reports can come from parents, former staff members and also directly from facilities, which are required to report any time a student is injured or seriously ill. Thats grooming for lots of problems, he said. The only staff members that treated us well were Gwen, Danny, Karolin (Caroline?). Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. Communication with family is considered a privilege which must be earned by the teenager. He gave kids medications they werent prescribed so often, a lawsuit later alleged, they called him the candy man.. Two had been residents when it was still Cedar Ridge. WebDate. This level typically lasts 1-6 months. Owners who claim this profile can update information, boost SEO, and more. Oakes wasnt the only Cedar Ridge staffer to sexually abuse a child. One girl almost died because she had anemia and was told she was faking it when she told staff she was sick. Academy 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. At the time, journaling and drawing were my only healthy coping skills. If we didnt 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. They made me believe that I deserved all of this. She was also restrained for saying she did not want to do a chore. Im surprised she didnt die. Jack Hinman is the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy and Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. I was not allowed to go to the bathroom without being watched. 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. It has also been reported that male staff will participate in strip-searching the female residents. I only actually rode a horse there maybe 4 times. He has also previously worked as the Clinical Director of the resportedly abusive programs Sunrise RTC and Discovery Ranch for Girls. (2) That the Troubled Teen Industry is riddled with abuse, fraud, deceptive marketing, and violations of medical ethics and human rights. You Can Watch Them Here! The school falsely advertises. Unlicensed therapists, verbal and emotional abuse, medical neglect, and psychological manipulation. Have hated that song since. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Reports can come from parents, former staff members and also directly from facilities, which are required to report any time a student is injured or seriously ill. One of them did not think I showered for long enough in my 12-minute time frame. I was there for a year and they constantly dropped me and others back to level one for simply stating our mind about the mistreatment/abuse. She was also restrained for saying she did not want to do a chore. She made me shower in front of staff for three days. 3/26/2021: (SURVIVOR) "I wish I could give this place negative stars. If we didnt 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. Paris Hilton, Utah lawmaker celebrate restrictions on troubled-teen centers. Monitored/restricted communication is one of the. I was there for a year and they constantly dropped me and others back to level one for simply stating our mind about the mistreatment/abuse. We are a community of survivors and advocates who oppose the abusive Troubled Teen Industry. She only said she was worried I still felt that way. I would rather soil myself than be watched. All rights reserved. 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. Moonridge Academy was not a healthy place for anyone, much less adolescents with mental health issues. 0:53. Unlicensed therapists, staff ignoring huge medical issues, forcing us not to use the bathroom until we pee our pants (then were forced to wear diapers or sit on doggy pee pads), verbal abuse, and psychological manipulation. I threw up from eating too much. Well continue to report on this industry, including our own findings from this trove of records. I felt suffocated and trapped and hopeless. Teen vomited on multiple days before dying of infection at Utah boarding school, state finds. They wouldnt give me painkillers when I had a sore throat and a fever. They would restrain us before accessing the situation and would use restraining as a punishment. Many of the girls there had severe mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar, etc) and the staff were completely untrained in dealing with them. Easy, done. It was abusive, one 15-year-old girl told The Tribune. I wasnt allowed to speak for a few months, and I was being restrained every day for stupid stuff.. Staff refuse to let students use the bathrooms until we peed our pants. The academy has been accused of allowing employees to abuse teenage boys, then covering it up. Cedar Ridge Academy was one of five that had rates of reported sex abuse that were more than four times the average. It was in that room that Ross said a staff member sexually abused him. If you have a child or a relative in a Troubled Teen Industry program, please ask us about the program immediately. 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. They did not have a solitary confinement room at Moonridge. Utahs Office of Licensing oversees youth treatment centers but has faced criticism for its light enforcement. That information should be easy to get. Parents who are considering sending their child to Moonridge Academy, please look at different residential or outpatient centers. I still have nightmares about this place. . The Salt Lake Tribune is making public thousands of inspections and critical incidents reports in this free, searchable database. Join us in our fight to combat abuse and neglect in 'troubled teen' programs! Please research alternatives for RTCs. Individual therapy was usually fine, but I could not actually talk about things because my therapist would ask if I needed to be put on safety. The truth is, during the 15 months that our daughter was there, only about 30% of the girls graduated. An infraction for not making his bed right. WebStudents who come to Moonridge Academy are often beginning to experiment with high risk behaviors. Do yourself a favor. 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. I was yelled at for the smallest things, even forgetting to line up my shoes or not asking to enter a room. This is not an exaggeration. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune). I had to lie my way through the program because when I said I wanted to go to a different treatment center to get the help I needed, I was told I "wasn't progressing" and I was "making adults concerned". But it has been hard to identify what places have a good track record and which ones dont. I was sworn at for not walking fast enough. Group One girl tried to kill herself and they would not allow anyone to talk to her for a week. We were all given the same portion of food no matter if you were smaller or bigger, if you couldnt finish your plate they would give you a consequence (paper where you right how you were wrong)or drop your level. She also works at Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy. They wrote down every bruise, scrape, and scar on my body. Moonridge Academy : r/troubledteens - Reddit The program has a maximum enrollment of 24 girls, and the average length of stay is reportedly between 9 and 12 months. Support investigative reporting like this. Lydia Kauppi, a parent of a student in the district, said its unsettling to know that her familys private information The only good that came from it is making one friend who I still talk to regularly. That information should be easy to get. Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. MOONRIDGE ACADEMY LLC | Where did $380B in PPP money Facilities can apply for an exception. Multiple staff members would swear and threaten me if I did anything wrong, even walking too slowly. I still cannot trust myself. In response to an appeal, the Office of Licensing lowered its estimate to $4,582. Because the kids have no voice. It is not considered a penalty. (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. 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. State Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield. For Robert, a 24-year-old who grew up in Utah, it didnt register when he was young that what was happening to him at youth facilities was abuse. Email us at teentreatment@sltrib.com. Moonridge Academy is closely affiliated with Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. I was once again demoted to level 1 and lost my privileges of privacy in the bathroom and social interaction for several weeks. My parents regret sending me to Moonridge Academy. 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. Its impossible for kids to articulate that theyre being sexually abused when they dont know what sex, abuse or sexual abuse is, he said. I remember opening up to my therapist about how awful I felt, maybe five months into my time at Moonridge. 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. She previously worked as the Clinical Director of, worked as a Therapist at Moonridge Academy. They made me believe that I deserved all of this. Moonridge Academy has been a NATSAP member since 2012. Make sure your post is relevant to the Troubled Teen Industry. Every year during National Prevention Week (NPW), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) celebrates communities, Together we can make a difference! In response to an appeal, the Office of Licensing lowered its estimate to $4,582. Moonridge Academy and the quality of its program. Please do not send your child to Trails or Moonridge Academy."