This is the History of and Reporting Guide for Evangeline Christian Home for Girls in St. Martinville/Lafayette, LA

(aka EvangelHouse, EvangelHouse Christian Academy, Live Oak Behavioral Health Group, LLC)

 

On this page you will find incomplete staff and complaint histories with sources cited (i.e. Progress Report), the general advisory against segregated congregate care with sources cited, and a reporting guide for those unlawfully harmed or firsthand witnesses to unlawful harm by or at this location to report violations of the law to the proper authorities/law enforcement.  The staff list itself will not be updated with additional names out of a sense of fairness where those providing the names ask for anonymity or confidentiality.  And, this program will remain eligible for merciful release if all criteria are met and no guest sermon is provided by a qualifying sponsor by that time.  In the meantime, it can graduate the COPE Conversion Program by meeting the Honesty In Marketing Standards (HIMS) or permanently close to be removed from the watch-list/released from the COPE Conversion Program.  If permanently closed prior to graduation or merciful release, it will be buried in the virtual graveyard

 

 

Name

Unit/Position

Additional Information
Mark Barrentine Founder/Executive Director Also worked at Cypress Behavioral Health Hospital.  He was also the Executive Director of Teen Challenge in Acadiana (Lafayette, LA).  Teen Challenge is a confirmedly abusive cult.  Barrentine is not a licensed educator in Lousiana.  Source: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416.  Barrentine is not a licensed counselor nor therapist.  Source: http://www.lpcboard.org/search_all.php?search_option=5  Barrentine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in LA.  His license # is 4720.  You can file complaints about him at  http://www.labswe.org/complaint.html
Leslie Beckman Home Director Beckman has been with ECHG since 2004.  Beckman is not a licensed educator, social worker, mental health nor medial professional in LA.  Sources: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416, http://www.lpcboard.org/search_all.php?search_option=6, http://www.lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/llp_list.pdf, http://www.labswe.org/SearchLABSWE.asp, https://apps.lsbme.la.gov/verifications/lookup.aspx, and  https://services.lsbn.state.la.us/services/service.asp?s=1&sid=8.
Tola Olufade Home Director Olufade is not a licensed educator, social worker, mental health nor medial professional in LA.  Sources: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416, http://www.lpcboard.org/search_all.php?search_option=6, http://www.lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/llp_list.pdf, http://www.labswe.org/SearchLABSWE.asp, https://apps.lsbme.la.gov/verifications/lookup.aspx, and  https://services.lsbn.state.la.us/services/service.asp?s=1&sid=8.
Karen Barrentine (Mark's wife) Teacher Mrs. Barrentine combines the Teen Challenge curriculum with supplemental materials.  This is stated on the ECHG website as of July 20th, 2009.  Karen Michele Dodd Barrentine (may be a different person) is licensed solely to teach grades 1-8.  She is not certified to teach beyond an 8th grade level.  Yet, this academy claims to provide educational services for grades 9-12, something for which Barrentine is not qualified.  Source: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416   And, you can file a complaint about her by telephoning: 1-877-453-2721 
CERTIFICATE TYPE NUMBER VALID
TEACHING CERTIFICATE B 076674 Life
This Certificate is issued to KAREN MICHELE DODD BARRENTINE
By the Louisiana Department of Education, based upon the following:
B.A., SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY, 1992
ELIGIBILITY: The holder of this certificate is eligible for the following area(s) and/or terms:
ELEMENTARY GRADES 1-8 - 6/29/1992
Verity DeJean Teacher DeJean is not a licensed educator in LA.  Source: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416
Dana Gates Office Staff HEAL does not perform licensing and background information checks on office staff unless they have direct contact with clients. 
Laura Clark Office Staff Licensed minister with Assemblies of God church.  Teen Challenge is affiliated with the Assemblies of God. HEAL does not perform licensing and background information checks on office staff unless they have direct contact with clients.  
Lynn & Peggy Aurich Retreat Staff Retreats held in Pensacola, FL.  Lynn Aurich is a licensed psychologist in LA.  Source: http://www.lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/llp_list.pdf  You can file complaints about Aurich with the board by filing a request for investigation complaint following the directions here: http://www.lsbep.org/disciplinary-action/Peggy Aurich is not a licensed educator, social worker, mental health nor medial professional in LA.  Sources: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416, http://www.lpcboard.org/search_all.php?search_option=6, http://www.lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/llp_list.pdf, http://www.labswe.org/SearchLABSWE.asp, https://apps.lsbme.la.gov/verifications/lookup.aspx, and  https://services.lsbn.state.la.us/services/service.asp?s=1&sid=8.
Tommy & Lisa Faulk Retreat Staff Pastor/Wife of Lafayette First Assembly of God church (associated with Assemblies of God/Teen Challenge).  Tommy and Lisa Faulk are not licensed educators, social workers, mental health nor medial professionals in LA.  Sources: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416, http://www.lpcboard.org/search_all.php?search_option=6, http://www.lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/llp_list.pdf, http://www.labswe.org/SearchLABSWE.asp, https://apps.lsbme.la.gov/verifications/lookup.aspx, and  https://services.lsbn.state.la.us/services/service.asp?s=1&sid=8.
Phillip LaFleur Psychiatrist Phillip Conrad LaFleur/Lafleur may be a different person.  Phillip Conrad LaFleur/Lafleur is a licensed medical doctor specializing in psychiatry in LA.  His license number is MD.06560R.  You can file complaints regarding LaFleur/Lafleur here:  http://www.lsbme.la.gov/content/investigations
Michelle Grisham Dorm Supervisor  Grisham is not a licensed educator, social worker, mental health nor medial professional in LA.  Sources: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416, http://www.lpcboard.org/search_all.php?search_option=6, http://www.lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/llp_list.pdf, http://www.labswe.org/SearchLABSWE.asp, https://apps.lsbme.la.gov/verifications/lookup.aspx, and  https://services.lsbn.state.la.us/services/service.asp?s=1&sid=8.
Crystal Jones Therapist HEAL requires Jones' full legal name (including middle name) and/or license type and number to verify whether or not Jones holds any professional licenses in LA.
Tommy Faulk, Sr. Pastor Faulk is not a licensed educator, social worker, mental health nor medial professional in LA.  Sources: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416, http://www.lpcboard.org/search_all.php?search_option=6, http://www.lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/llp_list.pdf, http://www.labswe.org/SearchLABSWE.asp, https://apps.lsbme.la.gov/verifications/lookup.aspx, and  https://services.lsbn.state.la.us/services/service.asp?s=1&sid=8.
Lynn Aurich Psychologist Lynn Aurich is a licensed psychologist in LA.  Source: http://www.lsbep.org/wp-content/uploads/llp_list.pdf  You can file complaints about Aurich with the board by filing a request for investigation complaint following the directions here: http://www.lsbep.org/disciplinary-action/
Mable Stutes Operations Manager HEAL does not perform licensing and background information checks on office staff unless they have direct contact with clients. 
Jennifer Bearden PRN Staff Member HEAL requires Bearden's full legal name (including middle name) and/or license type and number to verify whether or not Bearden holds any professional licenses in LA.
Brian Theriot Martial Arts Instructor Theriot is not a licensed instructor nor educator in LA.  Source: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416
G. Michael Beduze Accounting HEAL does not perform licensing and background information checks on office staff unless they have direct "therapeutic" or "authoritarian" contact with clients. 
Bebe Brown Riding Instructor Brown is not a licensed instructor nor educator in LA.  Source: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416
Esther Tyree Mertz Music Instructor Mertz is not a licensed instructor nor educator in LA.  Source: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416
Andrea Noegel Etiquette Instructor Noegel is a licensed educator but is only certified to teach elementary school children and not 9th-12th grade which is the population this program claims to serve. 
CERTIFICATE TYPE NUMBER VALID
NON-PUBLIC TEACHING CERTIFICATE B* 434325 Life
This Certificate is issued to ANDREA FELICE LISTI NOEGEL
By the Louisiana Department of Education, based upon the following:
B.A., UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE, 1996
ELIGIBILITY: The holder of this certificate is eligible for the following area(s) and/or terms:
PK-3 - 9/27/2004
LOWER ELEMENTARY GRADES 1-4 - 6/18/1996
ELEMENTARY GRADES 1-8 - 6/18/1996
UPPER ELEMENTARY GRADES 5-8 - 6/18/1996
VALID FOR LIFE FOR CONTINUOUS SERVICE - 9/27/2004

Source: https://www.teachlouisiana.net/teachers.aspx?PageID=416
NO OTHER NAMES NO OTHER TITLES Please contact us to report additional staff/staff information.*
 
THE TRUTH:

All segregated congregate care providers, including those on our watch-list, are welcome to contact us to correct any information or provide additional data that may assist with delivering the whole truth to the public.  The HEAL Mission of COPE (HEAL) found in many cases where this offer has been abused or resulted in revealing additional basis for our concerns. For some examples see feedback.  Now, we are willing to look at the facts and may have questions or require documentation backing up any claims.  We do verify licensing, academic backgrounds, and other qualifications when investigating and researching programs on our watch-lis/enrolled in the Conversion Program to assist consumers seeking additional information on such programs or victims requiring assistance with getting corroborating evidence of their claims.  We do that in order to make sure the information we provide is accurate and verified and cite our sources.  In the event any information we've posted is in error, we're happy to make a correction. 

HEAL does not support segregated congregate care for many reasons which include that many such facilities are abusive, exploitative, fraudulent, and lack effective oversight often as a result of fraudulent misrepresentation coupled with the ignorance of those seeking to enroll loved ones in such facilities, programs, schools, or centers without a valid court order and involuntarily.  In the United States such involuntary placements done without a court order are apparently illegal as they either violate the Americans with Disabilities Act community integration requirement or due process rights of those involuntarily placed.  Now, in regards to parents, in the United States parents have the right to waive their own rights, but, not the rights of their minor children.  See https://www.cope.church/legalarguments.htm for more information.  Now, most facilities on our watch list include waivers, indemnity clauses, and sworn statements legal guardians must sign assuring the program that the parents/legal guardians have the right to make the placement involuntarily and without due process in a segregated congregate care environment, however, California and federal prosecutors as well as settled law appears to suggest that is not the case.  In fact, in the David Taylor case found at https://www.cope.church/provocases.htm , Taylor sued Provo Canyon School and his mother as co-defendants.  His mother was found liable for 75% of the damages awarded to Taylor as a result of multiple complaints including false imprisonment, while the program was found only 25% liable because the mother owed a duty of due diligence to investigate anyone to which she would entrust care of her child and she failed to do so. 

Now, HEAL opposes segregated congregate care and we find most placements are happening illegally in the USA which if the youth understood their rights would result in unfortunate outcomes for the parents, particularly when they don't exercise good judgment and support the fraud and abuse rather than their own children when they need remedy and justice.  And, HEAL supports all victims of fraud and abuse in seeking remedies at law for any crimes or torts committed against them.  And, that's true whether or not the program or victims are in the USA. 

HEAL has a 5 point argument against segregated congregate care we'd like you to consider:

a.  Segregated care is unconstitutional and a civil rights violation.  It is only permissible if a person is unable to survive independent of an institutional environment.  For more on this, watch the HEAL Report at  https://youtu.be/C4NzhZc4P0A.  Or, see:   http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/  which includes in part:    "United States v. Florida – 1:12-cv-60460 – (S.D. Fla.) – On April 7, 2016, the United States filed an Opposition to the State of Florida’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  In the Motion, the State had asked the Court to rule, on a variety of grounds, that the United States could not recover damages for unnecessarily institutionalized children to whom the State had been deliberately indifferent."

b.  Institutionalization is always dehumanizing and coercive.  Institutionalization always harms the institutionalized and deprives them of protected civil rights.  Dr. David Straker, Psychiatry Professor at Columbia University's School of Medicine (Ivy League) explains this in detail at http://changingminds.org/disciplines/sociology/articles/institutionalization.htm.  "Many institutions, from prisons to monasteries to asylums, deliberately want to control and manage their inmates such that they conform and do not cause problems. Even in less harsh environments, many of the institutionalization methods may be found, albeit in more moderated form (although the psychological effect can be equally devastating)."  (See website linked in this paragraph for more info.)

c.  Institutionalization is not in the best interest of children.  Institutions are not ever better for a child than living with a loving family.  Source:   http://www.unicef.org/cambodia/12681_23295.html       

d.  Reform schools, residential treatment programs, and other segregated congregate care settings have been shown to be ineffective and harmful.  Best source on this currently is:     https://www.acgov.org/probation/documents/EndoftheReformSchoolbyVinny.doc

e. Boarding Schools, even the "good ones", result in a form of social death, isolation, and cause both anxiety and depression.  Therefore, it is clearly not in the best interest of the youth subjected to those environments.  Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jun/08/boarding-school-syndrome-joy-schaverien-review and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/11662001/The-truth-about-boarding-school-syndrome.html

Beyond the above arguments against segregated congregate care, we have reports from the NIH, Surgeon General, Yale University Studies, and much more showing the methodologies of behavior modification are damaging, harmful, and ineffective.  You can request these documents via e-mail.  In addition, for such programs offering academic services or claiming to offer diplomas, certifications, or the like, it is important to check to see if it is a diploma mill with no accredited academic services.  Please see article: "Avoiding Scams: What You Need To Know"  for important information on how to avoid education/training scams.

If you'd like to see what HEAL suggests rather than segregated congregate care (i.e. committing a crime or tort against your child if done against their will without a court order), please see articles: "Fix Your Family, Help Your Teen" and "Emancipation Guide".
REPORTING GUIDE FOR VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND WHISTLEBLOWERS:
 
In Louisiana, the criminal statutes of limitation are 6 months on fine-only misdemeanors and 2 years on  on misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment, 6 years on felonies punishable by hard labor, 4 years for felonies not necessarily punishable by hard labor (with or without hard labor), and no statute of limitations on more serious felonies including  forcible and second degree rape and murder.  For civil suits in Louisiana, the statute of limitations is 1 year.  Here are your options:
 
1.  Report crimes such as fraud, assault, battery, false imprisonment, rape, labor trafficking, and child abuse to law enforcement in Louisiana.  You can call the St. Martinsville Police at (337) 394-2226 and/or Lafayette Police at  (337) 291-8600  (choose the police in the city where you or a loved one was harmed/where the crime occurred)  to inquire about filing an official complaint which when filed may provide the probable cause needed to get a warrant for investigation and/or prosecution. 
 
2.  File a consumer complaint with your home state's attorney general against Evangeline Christian Home for Girls AKA EvangelHouse AKA Live Oak Behavioral Health Group LLC and include your request for compensation for any harm done to you.  If your home state is Louisiana or you'd like to file with the Louisiana State Attorney General as a non-resident, here is that link and form:  https://www.ag.state.la.us/Files/Article/9708/Documents/ConsumerDisputeForm.pdf 
 
3.  If you do not wish to file a consumer complaint, you can contact a private personal injury attorney and look into suing in tort/civil court.  However, if you can't afford the retainer, you should expect to settle out of court with a non-disclosure agreement which may bar you from speaking publicly about the incident because you've agreed (even if with a grumbling assent) to the terms of the settlement. 
 
4.  You may send a new e-mail to rev@cope.church with subject "Post My Feedback" and we will post your feedback (e-mail printed to .pdf disclosing your name and e-mail address and any information in your e-mail with that subject) to https://www.cope.church/feedback.htm  and add a direct link to those .pdf files to this page . 

 5. You may also wish to provide a guest sermon.  Guest sermons are posted at https://www.cope.church/sermons.htm , under Progress Reports/Guest Sermons at https://www.cope.church/conversion.htm where appropriate, and on program info pages when applicable.  So, one provided by you on your program would also be placed on this page .  Guest sermons should be written into the body of an e-mail and sent to rev@cope.church . Your first and last name will be disclosed (contact info will not be unless you expressly request disclosure).  For sermons available on our site see https://www.cope.church/sermons.htm  (and sermon archives linked on that page).  If you have questions about this option, please contact rev@cope.church. Please see https://www.cope.church/givetoday.pdf  to get an idea what your sermon may be worth.
COPE Conversion Program Progress Report: Evangeline Christian Home for Girls AKA EvangelHouse Christian Academy AKA Live Oak Behavioral Health Group LLC

 

 Last Updated: February 26th, 2023

Return to https://www.cope.church/conversion.htm