Name

Unit/Position

The above links will provide full context for the discussion below.  Due to the fact that HEAL does not have the enrollment agreement or program details, the preliminary review is for information purposes only. 

Fulshear Application

On page 1, the program requests a lot of information regarding the referral source.  HEAL recommends parents considering Fulshear inquire as to the purpose of asking for referral information and ask Fulshear if referrers (including former clients/parents) receive any compensation for their referrals.  Many programs in this industry pay referral fees, often up to 10% of the contracted price of the program.  And, this has lead to unethical practices in the consulting industry and with referral sources in general. 

On page 2, the program requests the social security numbers of step-parents.  This is a serious concern and is not requested on similar applications and contracts.  This is sensitive information and unless the step-parent has a financial responsibility to the child through adoption or other legal arrangement, there is no acceptable reason for Fulshear to request this information.  This is a minor concern. 

Also, on page 2, the program asks for the names and ages of all siblings and where the siblings are currently living.  Some contracts and applications request similar information, others do not.  HEAL's concern is that the request is made for marketing purposes and to discern whether there are other children at home that can be enrolled in Fulshear or a similar program through referrals from Fulshear.  This is a concern.

On page 3, the program asks the parent filling out the family history to describe the child's relationship with other family members, self, and peers.  This is a concern.  If a parent has reached the point where they are considering institutionalization, it is highly likely that the parent/child relationship is overly strained and suggests the parent would not be in an objective position or intimate enough position with their child to accurately determine the status and feelings the child has regarding those relationships.  This is a mild concern.

On page 4, the program inquires if the child has been diagnosed with a mental disorder and requests that the parent explain and give the diagnosis.  This is inappropriate.  Any information regarding mental disorder diagnosis and explanation of said diagnosis should be made by a qualified professional who diagnosed the child.  Asking the parent to describe this suggests unprofessionalism on the part of Fulshear in relying on emotion-driven and amateurish descriptions provided by parents instead of waiting for or reviewing legitimate mental health records provided by qualified providers.

Also, on page 4, the program requests parents describe any "bizarre or unusual behaviors".  This is a concern because HEAL has received calls from parents and teens describing normal teen behaviors and labeling them as "bizarre or unusual".  For instance, a Catholic parent called HEAL to complain that their child was reading a book on Judaism they checked out from the library.  That parent was upset and considered it a "bizarre or unusual" behavior as their family is strictly Catholic.  This family was considering placing their child in a behavior modification program to deal with this issue.  Another parent called HEAL claiming that their 17 1/2 year old daughter was talking to teenage boys on the phone.  This was against the rules of their home.  They considered themselves a conservative family and had strict guidelines for their daughters.  The girl was not having inappropriate conversations and attended a co-ed public school.  Rule-breaking behavior is not "bizarre or unusual", especially when rules are seemingly unreasonable and disrespectful of the maturity and social/scholastic requirements of today.

On page 5, the program inquires if the teen is sexually active and whether the teen has special needs in regards to religion, ethnic identity, or sexual orientation.  If a teen is of legal age to consent to sexual activity, it is not appropriate to institutionalize them to prevent them from exercising this right.  Parents should see www.heal-online.org/parent.htm for parenting tips and suggestions.

On page 6, the program asks if the teen is placed into treatment under court order.  This suggests the program may receive adjudicated youth and that may mean more "criminal" or "deviant" youths are placed with your child in the same treatment setting.  This has been shown to create criminal-thoughts in children who were not predisposed to have such thoughts prior to being housed with those with criminal proclivities.  This is a concern.

On page 9, the program inquires as to whether teen girls have had any abortions.  This is a very private and personal issue and is not necessary pre-entry information.  On an issue like abortion, in therapy, a girl or woman who has had such a procedure should be in control of who has that information and decide when it should be disclosed.  It is a concern that this program steps over privacy lines in this way and by requesting the social security numbers of step-parents who are not expected to be financially responsible for their step-children.

Also on page 9, the program appears to focus on the goals the parent has for the child as opposed to providing a healing, therapeutic environment for a child in need of help.  This is a concern and suggests a behavior modification atmosphere.

On page 10, the program continues with the parent's expectations of the program and of his/her daughter.  But, the focus doesn't appear to be on looking at the family as a unit or system that needs help to better function and further appears to scapegoat the child.  This is a concern.

Also on page 10, there is a non-refundable deposit of $1000 that is credited to the first month's tuition if the child is accepted.  This is the only financial data available through the information provided to the public regarding this program and we include it for that reason only.

Fulshear Equine Release Forms

The Rider/Parent release forms are reasonable.  HEAL recommends parents ask if Fulshear requires the girls to perform any ranch duties, including caring for the horses.  Also, HEAL recommends parents get a photos and other confirmation that their child is being allowed to ride horses if that has been agreed upon.  At many programs in this industry, such activities are claimed to be provided while the program actually uses the children as labor for their agri-business or animal husbandry operations.  This is a mild concern and parents should inquire about the actual practices of the Ranch.

Fulshear Medical Information Forms

We found no issues with the medical information forms.

If you are a representative of Fulshear Ranch Academy and would like to provide HEAL with additional information for review, please e-mail us for more information and instructions or visit www.heal-online.org/helpteen.htm for more information.