HEAL is an
egalitarian network of activists self-empowered to plan events, create
change, and make the world a better place for all life. Our goals
include the liberation of humans, nonhuman animals, and the earth! We
work in cooperation with like-minded organizations that put compassion
in action!
open letter & invitation
for Behavior modification Industry
HEAL is taking this
opportunity to make, explicitly known and understood, our invitation to
behavior modification programs to submit requests to HEAL for dialogue
regarding our concerns and their wishes to see our website changed or
edited. We stand by the content on our website. However, we
are very reasonable people and have written an open letter (click
here) to the behavior modification industry (including individual
programs) detailing the guidelines for interaction and discussion
between our network and themselves. These guidelines are detailed
on pages throughout our website as well. But, because of recent
attacks by
Craig
Rogers of Abundant Life Academy and others, we felt it was time to
make our policies and position on these issues boldly explicit. If
you are a program that wishes to engage in legitimate discussion with
HEAL and/or the HEAL network, please read our letter at
www.heal-online.org/invite.pdf for important details.
(Also see,
HEAL: Special Report--Communicating with Programs
and our
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Page
for
additional information.)
Overview
Programs
who wish to submit requests to HEAL to edit/modify the HEAL website(s),
must be in the following format and sent to
info@heal-online.org or HEAL,
126 SW 148th St, Ste C100-422, Seattle, WA 98166-1984:
Location/Link:
http://www.heal-online.org/requests.htm
(Example: Should you wish for
the page you are currently on to be edited/modified, you would use the
link shown. You can find the location/link by looking in the
"Address" field of your internet browser. You can copy/paste the
link into a message by "right-clicking the "Address" field", then
"right-clicking "copy", and then move to the body of a word document or
e-mail and "right click "paste". This will place the location of
the text you wish to see modified on the document/e-mail form.)
Text/Quote: You will need to copy and
paste, using the directions above, the text of a HEAL webpage, article,
or commentary into this section. This text should include what you
wish to see edited or modified.
Request/Suggestion: This section you
will use to make a polite suggestion regarding changes you believe would
assist HEAL in providing the most accurate information available.
HEAL will respond to serious inquiries only and
will not respond to unreasonable requests.
Text/Quote: Entire website.
Everything. ALL OF IT!!!
Request/Suggestion: You are a bunch of crazy
wacko idiots. Shut up and take your stupid site down.
Unreasonable and/or harassing requests will not
receive a response, but, may be posted as examples of "what not to do"
on the HEAL site should they be forthcoming.
HEAL has received numerous requests from programs
and their staff over the years to change/edit our website. Some
programs have willingly worked with HEAL to clear up misunderstandings.
But, most have been secretive, antagonistic, and even hateful. Due
to recent events, we have decided to make our invitation to programs
clear and to create a space for our concerns (HEAL's and the Industry's)
to be discussed in an open manner that will assist in providing accurate
information to mental health consumers.
Due to the dishonesty and bold cowardice of Provo
Canyon School/UHS of Provo Canyon, we take this opportunity to share
with you one of the quotes Provo Canyon claims is false in their
harassment suit against HEAL, followed by the proof that said quote is
true.
UHS of Provo Canyon claims the following is
false: "In addition, Provo Canyon School's "new owners",
Universal Health Services, has many skeletons in their closet regarding
abuse... and wrongful death at facilities they operate.
Click here to learn more about UHS." The link is to an
external website unrelated to HEAL that records abuses and violations at
UHS facilities. Also see:
www.heal-online.org/chad.htm (and all articles associated with it).
Also see:
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/March/10-civ-219.html.
The links provided evidence that everything in that sentence is true.
So, you can see why we have difficulty believing anything the industry
says about itself or our web content. In fact, Provo Canyon School
at one point
thanked
Angela Smith for sharing her experiences online through the HEAL
website(s). The truth is consistent. Provo Canyon is
not.
At this point, it should be quite clear that
HEAL has made and continues to make an honest effort to provide the most
accurate information available to the public. We believe programs
that are honest and reasonable will contact us respectfully and that
those who engage in fraud and abuse will continue to lie and deny.
We have responded to every remotely and/or
arguably legitimate request submitted by programs and their staff.
And, we will continue to do so. Since this is new, we will not be
adding old requests to the list below. But, we will add all
legitimate requests to the chart below and assist in keeping a record of
any and all legitimate efforts made by programs to clarify or resolve
areas of concern.
Program Name
Basis for
Request/Suggestion
Location/Link and HEAL's Response
The ChalleNGe Academy (sample)
The ChalleNGe Academy programs are 100%
voluntary and no child is accepted who does not enter
voluntarily. This program is run by the National Guard and
is not a private, for-profit, involuntary program. (sample)
HEAL removed the
majority of ChalleNGe Academy programs from our watchlists.
There were a few incidents in ChalleNGe Academy programs on our
watchlist, but, given the details provided by the programs and
our investigation results, we found that there was not a
substantial basis for including the majority of the ChalleNGe
Academy locations on our watchlist. (sample)
HEAL believes Straight Arrow Apex is
closed. We have asked for clarification on this due to the
e-mail message. But, the phone number was disconnected for
this program and there is little to no new information regarding
this program online.
A seasonal employee with Straight
Arrow Apex contacted HEAL on February 12th, 2011. The
issues raised are as follows:
* Straight Arrow Apex is a
working organic farm.
* All meals served are healthy.
* The young men/"students" work the farm and it is hard,
uncompensated work. Employee assures the work is not
punitive.
* The program has only 3-5 "students" at a time.
* The average stay is 3-9 months.
* Employee claims,
"They
choose to be there unlike many of the other programs out there
that serve youth under 18. Thus, a student is free to leave
when they want to and often are provided a ride to the
airport/bus station if it is there choice to leave."
* Communications with the outside world are monitored. The
employee claims the monitoring is "minimal".
*
Employee comment, "I totally support you in bringing clarity and
transparency to a field that for too long has been clandestine
and it is also important to support those that are doing good
work."
HEAL replied to the seasonal employee of
Straight Arrow Apex. We asked for a copy of the
student/parent handbooks and a copy of the contract. We
request these items so we have evidence that the claims made by
the program regarding it's practices are supported by
documentation.
HEAL has no reason to believe Straight Arrow Apex is not a
working organic farm.
HEAL has not received any reports suggesting Straight Arrow
Apex serves imbalanced or unhealthy meals.
HEAL is concerned that this program uses the "students" as
field hands and labor without compensating them for their work
and while charging the families/individuals. This seems
highly unethical and raises serious concerns.
HEAL included the average number of students and length of
stay for informational purposes only.
HEAL would be appeased if Straight Arrow Apex is truly
voluntary. However, the monitoring of communications and
the remoteness of the location raise concerns regarding the
ability of young men to leave once they have arrived.
Also, the use of the phrase "often are provided a ride" suggests
that there are times when young men who wish to leave are not
provided a ride or assistance in leaving and given the isolated
nature of the farm location, this is a serious concern as well.
Status: Unresolved
Details:
Employee replied to HEAL's request on February 12th, 2011
stating he hadn't worked for the program for a couple of years
and could not verify whether or not it was still open. He
further stated that he was unable to provide any handbooks or
other documentation on the program. HEAL remains open to
discussing the concerns presented.
A director of Living Well Transitions e-mailed HEAL on
February 16th, 2011. The director stated, "I’d be happy to
discuss with you our program. I respect the work you are doing
to protect kids, and would love the opportunity to speak with
you about our work – which is also very much about liberation."
Question/Concern: Living Well Transitions does not believe it
belongs on the HEAL Investigate list. Director has offered
to discuss the program with HEAL.
HEAL replied to the e-mail message from Living Well
Transitions. We have asked for copies of contracts,
waivers, handbooks, and any privilege/consequence system and how
it is applied.
We have also asked a few ice-breaker questions
and we have promised and will keep the promise to review the
requested materials upon receipt and contact Living Well
Transitions with any questions/concerns prior to publishing any
review online. We have also stated and promise that if the
documentation requested satisfies our questions/concerns and/or
Living Well Transitions effectively addresses those
questions/concerns, that we will remove Living Well Transitions
from our preliminary investigation page and from our website.
This is with the exception of keeping a record here of the
discussion and resolution of issues raised.
Status: Unresolved
As of March 4th, 2011, HEAL
has received no response to our request for documentation.
on behalf of Optimum
Performance Institute claiming that
our website is
defamatory and that they will pursue legal
action unless we
remove them from our site.
HEAL replied to Monty Amyx directly regarding OPI.
And, we explained our concerns and the method by which OPI can
request review and/or removal from the HEAL website. We
also explained that choosing to contact us in the manner chosen
only reinforces our concerns regarding the use of intimidation
and coercion by OPI and/or their representatives. If OPI
is willing to harass the general public in this manner, what
protections can possibly be in place for those under the locked
24/7 supervision of OPI?
HEAL also submitted a
complaint
to the California State Bar regarding the unprofessional and
harassing message we received from Monty Amyx. Readers may
find it of interest that a Minnesota attorney attempted a
similar action on behalf of a Montana program last year.
We responded similarly. And, the attorney disclaimed any
association with their previously claimed client and that
program is now closed. Please be reasonable and respectful
when communicating with our network. Thank you.
CAFETY claims that
there have been major changes at
ASTART and that
previous issues have been addressed.
Here is the crux of
the issue with CAFETY:
(See CAFETY link and quote at right)
CAFETY's Response:
"There is no partnership between CAFETY and AACRC."
HEAL's Response:
(See CAFETY link and quote at right)
CAFETY's Response:
"The CAFETY website doesn't need to be corrected, because it
isn't incorrect. The AACRC website is not hosted or published by
anyone at CAFETY, so we can't simply go and change it. All we
can do is ask them to correct it."
HEAL's Response:
CAFETY claims partnership with AACRC on their website.
CAFETY disclaims partnership in e-mail to HEAL.
CAFETY claims that the only website that claims a partnership is
the AACRC website and that they can't control what AACRC posts.
CAFETY acknowledges link and article in e-mail to HEAL.
CAFETY claims that there is nothing incorrect about their
website.
CAFETY's website acknowledges the partnership between AACRC and
CAFETY.
CAFETY's claims are logically incompatible and more than
suggestive of dishonesty and secrecy in regards to CAFETY's
agenda.
CAFETY admits partnering with
the
AACRC on their own website:
"Youth-Guided Treatment
is the outgrowth of a partnership
between AACRC, CAFETY (Community Alliance for the
Ethical Treatment of Youth; www.cafety.org), and
YouthMOVE
(Youth Motivating Others through Voices of Experience;
www.youthmove.us).
We are excited to have been asked to collaborate with
AACRC in creating this document, as the association
continues a series of policy papers that highlight new
trends and promising practices in residential care."
HEAL is not confident in CAFETY given the discrepancy
between claims made and the facts shown to be true.
And, we believe our requests in the
e-mail to CAFETY are reasonable under the
circumstances. We are open to discussing the
issues honestly and reasonably.
CAFETY continues to launch unfounded attacks against
Angela Smith and HEAL. We
invite individuals who would like to see the evidence
against CAFETY to
e-mail us for more information. We choose not
to link to websites that defame and attack survivors and
effective advocates. And, we continue to advise
everyone to avoid CAFETY if truly desiring to stop
institutionalized abuse. If you want to make some
money and figure out how to refer, then CAFETY is the
better choice.
UPDATE:
On November 19th, 2011, HEAL
e-mailed Kathryn Whitehead, founder of CAFETY regarding
concerns about CAFETY's recent and apparent
referral list to over
1000 residential and wilderness programs.
The above linked referral list is
for information purposes only and is not intended as a
recommendation from HEAL. HEAL IS NOT A
REFERRAL SERVICE AND DOES NOT RECOMMEND NOR ENDORSE ANY
RESIDENTIAL NOR WILDERNESS PROGRAM.
CAFETY references HEAL in the
"Reason for Inclusion" section of the above linked
document. In the same category for "Reason for
Inclusion" is listed known referrers to abusive programs
such as strugglingteens.com.
HEAL has asked CAFETY to either
remove HEAL as a listed source/citation in that section
or to add a hyperlink to HEAL to the page(s) appropriate
for citation.
CAFETY has stated that they will
remove HEAL from that document "whenever possible and
time permitting".
Status: Unresolved
HEAL has been
communicating with three CAFETY board members.
The information and
discussion with
each of those board
members has not
resolved the issues
at hand.
Two of the three
board members have
refused to be direct,
open, honest, and
respectful in the
exchange.
Instead of addressing
our concerns, CAFETY has primarily responded
with more disrespect
and dismissal.
HEAL will not be
working with
CAFETY unless serious
changes are
made in leadership
and in their approach to other survivor networks.
HEAL has concluded
our preliminary investigation of and report on the AACRC.
Please see
www.heal-online.org/aacrc.htm for important information.
Issue/Suggestion: Please remove action alert regarding
Aspen Education Group and the Tune in to Your Teen Forum.
HEAL posted an action alert on March 10th, 2011
to contact SDAlliance for Drug Free Youth to request they
un-invite Aspen Education Group to their parent forum.
Resolved: SDAlliance for Drug Free Youth uninvited
Mike Robertson (Aspen Education Group) after reviewing the
facts.
We thank SDAlliance for quickly and respectfully
addressing our concerns and resolving this issue.
Douglas Siggs
Siggs sent us a vulgar message. We are
posting the edited version below. To read the unedited
version,
click
here.
Why dont you do the
community and the country in general a huge service and
close down this ridiculous website you worthless bunch
of c--ts. So every f---ing center in the country is a
torture facility is it? People have real problems with
their children and need help and to stumble onto this
vomit doesnt help anyone
As stated above, it is our policy not to respond to messages
that are sent in the format in which Doug chose to send his
"request". This addition to our requests page should be a
warning to others who think this type of insulting and vulgar
message is appropriate to send to victims of torture and abuse.
Unresolved: HEAL does not expect this
issue will be resolved since Mr. Siggs is a vulgar, hateful
person who probably should be in jail.
Staff list does not designate which staff work with youth and
which staff work with adults only.
Rites of Passage/VisionQuest claims to provide all enrollment
materials/handbooks/etc. upon receipt of request.
Second Link Issues:
Rites of Passage, Inc. believes HEAL has mistaken Rites
of Passage/VisionQuest in CA with Rite of Passage in Minden, NV
and/or VisionQuest headquartered in Pennsylvania.
Rites of Passage, Inc. states they are 100% voluntary
and do not use behavior modification nor coercion as part of
their programs/services.
Rites of Passage, Inc. takes issue with HEAL stating
that their program is "reportedly abusive".
Request: Rites of Passage would like to be removed from
the HEAL website completely and believes it has been placed on
our website due to error or confusion regarding its program and
a program of a similar name operating in another state.
HEAL has updated the staff list to note
information submitted by Rites of Passage/VisionQuest.
HEAL
has requested Rites of Passage/VisionQuest submit all enrollment
materials/waivers/contracts/handbooks/etc. to HEAL for review
and we have agreed not to post any concerns or questions about
said materials publicly prior to giving Rites of Passage/VisionQuest
ample opportunity to respond to any such questions or concerns.
Upon further review, we believe HEAL was in error in regards
to Rites of Passage Inc, in Santa Rosa, CA. It appears
that the VisionQuest program referenced in the
Article on VisionQuest was in regards to a wholly other
program headquartered in another state and operating in multiple
states, but, never in CA. And, we believe the confusion
regarding Rites of Passage in Santa Rosa may have been due to
the name similarity with a confirmedly abusive program operating
in NV.
HEAL will need to review the enrollment materials, handbooks,
and other information provided to make sure there are no
disclaimers or waivers regarding involuntary placement of youth
in the program and to resolve any additional concerns that may
exist.
Due to the mistake(s) made regarding the confusion between
VisionQuest, Rite of Passage, and Rites of Passage/Vision Quest
in Santa Rosa, CA, HEAL has decided to remove Rites of Passage,
Inc.
We apologize for any misunderstanding our confusion may have
caused.
Resolved: Upon further review of available
information, HEAL has agreed to remove Rites of Passage, Inc.
from the website. Should we receive any requests or
complaints in the future, this may change.
