- Anonymous, submitted directly to Wiki, 10/22/2020: (SURVIVOR) "I was sent to Moonridge Academy in 2016 at age 12, which focused a lot on school and therapy. We are continuing to ask for your help. The remaining funds will be used to assist The Tribune in future public records disputes. My parents were told I would say it is a bad place. Get more reviews from your customers with Birdeye. 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. They are also now considered an upper level and reportedly receive preferential treatment from staff. The only staff members that treated us well were Gwen, Danny, Karolin (Caroline?). You Can Watch Them Here! She was also restrained for saying she didnt want to do a chore. My parents thought being around specialists and supportive staff would give me the coping skills I needed to be a functioning person. 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. On this level, the residents cannot be more than an arms length away from a staff member at all times. Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. Does anyone have any positive experience to share? Over 90,000 businesses use Birdeye everyday to get more reviews and manage all customer feedback. This story was produced as part of a larger project by Jessica Miller, a participant in the 2019 Data Fellowship. And her research has shown that the staff members in facilities often have their own history of traumatic events, which can affect their work. The levels are reported to be: It has been reported that the girls contact with their parents is extremely limited. ", This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. On this level, the residents no longer have to stay within arms-distance of staff, but still cannot leave line-of-sight or earshot of staff. One of them did not think I showered for long enough in my 12-minute time frame. Web"I was sent to Moonridge Academy in 2016 at age 12, which focused a lot on school and therapy. For more information, please see our If you are a parent thinking of sending your child here, I am begging you not to. So please for me and every other kid that was hurt by this place, never send your kids here . My parents regret sending me to Moonridge Academy. Jalane Christian-Stoker worked as the Clinical Director of Moonridge Academy from 2005 until 2008. Find a different boarding school for your daughter. , I was a student here, the staff is extremely out of line. Together we can make a difference! 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. Im completely stable now and happy, no thanks to moonridge. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Teen treatment registry. That information should be easy to get. Utahs Office of Licensing inspects and regulates each facility, and sometimes finds Thats grooming for lots of problems, he said. The result is a unique and acclaimed treatment approach that effectively treats significant issues while still maintaining a comparatively sheltered environment in a place that "feels like home. Moonridge Academy, a small Residential Treatment Center of 24 students, provides a specialized unique learning and healing environment for younger teens ages 11-15. that many struggling girls need without forcing parents to expose their daughters to "older girl" issues. If you are LGBTQ and need support, call the Trevor Project Hotline 1-866-488-7386, If you are having suicidal thoughts, call toll free 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741, If you are a child being abused or know of a child being abused call toll free 1-800-422-4453. Other times, he said, he was denied a meal. I was not allowed to go to the bathroom without being watched. Anonymous, I was sent to Moonridge Academy in 2016 at age 12, which focused a lot on school and therapy. They did not have a solitary confinement room at Moonridge. Just let her use the bathroom. WebTeen vomited on multiple days before dying of infection at Utah boarding school, state finds. - u/CharredMarshmallows (Reddit), 3/18/2020: (PARENT) "Looking for a therapeutic boarding school for your daughter? 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. It has been reported that the girls contact with their parents is extremely limited. I fought for myself until I was so broken that I had nothing left to fight for. The program was traumatic for her as well." (2) That the Troubled Teen Industry is riddled with abuse, fraud, deceptive marketing, and violations of medical ethics and human rights. I was sent to Moonridge in 2003 when I was 13 years old. WebStudents who come to Moonridge Academy are often beginning to experiment with high risk behaviors. Another for not vacuuming the floor as he was told. I learned that the only way to survive is to comply. They made me believe that I deserved all of this. There was sexual, physical, and constant emotional abuse. If you are a parent thinking of sending your child here, I am begging you not to. This is the most common response. Privacy Policy. At that time, it was just a house on a hill surrounded by wilderness and dirt. Thats how I got out after a year mistreatment from this place, I dont regret it. General counsel for Elevate RTC, Steven Brigance, said his clients took All five are for-profit facilities, though the new owners of Cedar Ridge turned it into a nonprofit. He has also previously worked as the Clinical Director of the resportedly abusive programs, worked as the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy. 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. This database includes only critical incidents where the facility is found to have violated a rule. He believes this was done to protect the facility. He was 13 years old then and kept getting into trouble. It was tedious and humiliating. Moonridge I threw up from eating too much. Do not ask us to recommend a Troubled Teen Program. The only good thing about this place is they dont have bars on the windows so you can smash them. In the past decade, there have been 37 lawsuits filed in Utah against troubled-teen facilities and 40% have involved allegations of sexual misconduct. The head of Moonridge Academy is unprofessional and rude to parents who question anything or their daughters progress. With the money from the crowdfunding campaign, we were able to expand the database to include youth wilderness therapy programs. One of the therapies they promoted was horseback riding. It has been reported that phone calls are closely monitored by staff. Many dont disclose when it occurs, and most delay until much later if they disclose at all.. Nothing happened. There are two types of reports included in this database: Inspections and critical incident reports. This money paid for the state to fulfill records requests. I had (diagnosed) ADHD, which led to emotional and physical abuse from my parents growing up. The document includes a log of how the Office of Licensing investigated and its conclusions. Look somewhere else. I remember opening up to my therapist about how awful I felt, maybe five months into my time at Moonridge. The program is located at 9450 West 2400 South, Cedar City, UT 84721. Support also came from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I could go on and on with the stories. It has also been reported that male staff will participate in strip-searching the female residents. 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. If I hadnt eaten that much, I would have been put on safety and a female staff member would have watched me in the bathroom for the next three days. Executive Director Jacob Pope said that means making sure students are a good fit, that they want to be there, and their families are on board to participate in therapy. It has been reported that phone calls are closely monitored by staff. 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. At capacity, the treatment center can house nearly 50 students, but on a recent December day, 10 teenagers were staying there. I was told I was fine when I said I was depressed. 9450 West 2400 South, Cedar City, UT 84721, . We were told if we refused food three times, we would be sent to the hospital and hooked up to an IV. She currently works as a Lead Therapist at Evoke Therapy Intensives. 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. We were told if we refused food three times, we would be sent to the hospital and hooked up to an IV. I was not allowed to go to the bathroom without being watched. I witnessed emotional abuse. The amount of food we ate was larger than what I was used to, and I was very small. There was group therapy, family therapy, and individual therapy. I was hyperventilating, sobbing, rocking back and forth, and all I was asking for was a little distance. Her period was way too heavy and shes a vegetarian. WebMoonridge Academy services younger teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment/adoption issues, emotional dysregulation, poor peer relationships, She did schoolwork in a different room, but she still ate meals with us. A few of the current staffers are holdovers, and the former owner still lives in a home on the sprawling property. An infraction for not making his bed right. I had (diagnosed) ADHD, which led to emotional and physical abuse from my parents growing up. WebMoonridge Academy admits girls between the ages of 11 and 14--young teens. $150,000$350,000 $150K$350K loan to Have hated that song since. And when a problem does arise, Milne said its important for facilities to be transparent. We seek to raise awareness and to change the law to protect the teenagers in these programs from harm. While the therapists are good at their job, the management is LACKLUSTER at best, and they are prone to taking the easy way out vs REALLY helping or caring for their girls. When The Tribune initially asked for these records, the Office of Licensing estimated it would cost more than $6,250. Moonridge helped our daughter, and our family, get on a path towards healing and growth - it feels like we are a family again. If a report is found to have merit, state licensing officials further determine if the facility violated a rule. Please, don't send your child there." He had groped some of them during unapproved medical procedures in a small room after covering the only window with butcher paper so no one could see. A very autistic girl was restrained for spinning around. There was strong evidence that Geary Oakes had sexually abused four boys on the campus located at the end of a remote road in rural Utah. I was told I was fine when I said I was depressed. That makes it easy to compare the small and large facilities to one another. 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. This is the most common response. 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. Anonymous, submitted directly to Wiki, 10/22/2020: (SURVIVOR) I was sent to Moonridge Academy in 2016 at age 12, which focused a lot on school and therapy. He has also previously worked as the Clinical Director of the resportedly abusive programs Sunrise RTC and Discovery Ranch for Girls. I still have nightmares about this place." 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. Two of the staff members in particular had it out for me. Email us at teentreatment@sltrib.com. Some of these rules include: If residents break a rule, they are given a punishment. 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. My time in treatment ranges from bad to traumatic. I dont eat chicken because I raise them as pets, but I was forced to eat it at Moonridge Academy. I nearly tried to kill myself dozens of times. When The Tribune initially asked for these records, the Office of Licensing estimated it would cost more than $6,250. They do not allow girls to explore their gender identity and if you happen to be trans they will either ignore it completely or try to convince you youre not. I still have nightmares about this place. . I remember telling the staff and my therapist that I felt like a zombie, and they said I was being dramatic. Indiana lawmakers are withdrawing a plan that would have given certain state contractors immunity from most lawsuits filed by abuse victims and their families. They wrote down every bruise, scrape, and scar on my body. Moonridge Academy states that it enrolls girls, including transgender girls, with a history of attachment issues, depression, anxiety, self-harm, school refusal, family conflict, sexual boundaries, computer addiction, attention issues and low-level substance abuse. "Moonridge Academy is a Residential Treatment Center that provides clinical services and academic services to younger teenage girls aged 11-15 years old. These reports are based on a complaint or an incident occurring at the facility. 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.. If we didn't 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. 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. Some of these rules include: If residents break a rule, they are given a punishment. Even when I was crying. No, she was not at risk of hitting someone, and no, she was not hurting herself. (4) That any program that rushes you into making a placement decision by urging you to act now, must be considered suspect. 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. 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. A very autistic girl was regularly restrained for spinning around. In 2005, the State of Maine began investigating Moonridge Academy and the quality of its program. They made me believe that I deserved all of this. The state already makes these notices public, and they can be found here. He pleaded no contest in 2010 and was sent to prison. This is possible because of the donations from more than 100 people. 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. Is any of this actually true? The program was traumatic for her as well. Grace (BreakingCodeSilence), 3/18/2020: (PARENT) Looking for a therapeutic boarding school for your daughter? There was sexual, physical, and constant emotional abuse. Based on their findings, the State of Maine decided that it would not pay for treatment at the facility. I only actually rode a horse there maybe 4 times. Some of the children in these sorts of facilities have already experienced trauma, Milne said, and they sometimes try to cope through sexualized behaviors. Despite determining that Diamond Ranch Academy failed to take Taylor Goodridge to a Parents who are considering sending their child to Moonridge Academy, please look at different residential or outpatient centers. According to the organization Safe Teen Schools, "CERTS is an abusive umbrella corporation for boarding schools for troubled youth. Moonridge Academy is a CERTS behavior-modification program founded in 2004. 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. I would rather soil myself than be watched. This business is unclaimed. WebAn investigation is underway after a possible incident between a worker and student at a school in Springfield Township. Moonridge Academy has been a NATSAP member since 2012. She has been at blueFire for 90 days. Do yourself a favor. This troubling history has resulted in an untold number of children harmed. Look somewhere else. The state already makes these notices public, and they can be found here. See Privacy Policy. One of the therapies they promoted was horseback riding. Sequel Youth and Family Services owns Falcon Ridge Ranch, the Utah center with the highest rate of reported sex crimes. A girl nearly died from neglect. She made me shower in front of staff for three days. With those choices comes the option to make poor choices. As a result, Moonridge offers all of the clinical intensity of an outstanding residential treatment center (small clinical case loads, 2 individual therapy sessions weekly, weekly family therapy sessions via the telephone, deep family systems work, etc.) The man said he sent the emails because he felt ignored, and he worries about the 13-year-old boys like him who have been at Provo Canyon School and other troubled-teen facilities in the years since he left. Few make false allegations, although some might misread a situation due to their histories. The program has a maximum enrollment of 24 girls, and the average length of stay is reportedly between 9 and 12 months. I feel like I should have been required to eat a smaller amount of food, but that was never considered. I remember crying a little while telling someone about how I felt once, and the next day, I learned I didnt have free time because my daily grade had been too low from crying. This is possible because of the donations from more than 100 people. As soon as I arrived, I was put on a cocktail of multiple medications at high dosages and because of this, there's full periods of time that I don't even remember. FBI cracks down on major ransomware gang. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune). One of them did not think I showered for long enough in my 12-minute time frame. Safety is when you always have to stand next to a staff member and you are watched in the bathroom. She currently works as a Lead Therapist at, Like other behavior-modification programs, Moonridge Academy uses a level system consisting of 6 levels. I was sent to Moonridge in 2003 when I was 13 years old. 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. If you are a parent thinking of sending your child here, I am begging you not to. They do not allow girls to explore their gender identity and if you happen to be trans they will either ignore it completely or try to convince you youre not. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, Moonridge Academy (2003-present) Cedar City, UT, 9450 West 2400 South, Cedar City, UT 84721, State of Maine Investigation into Moonridge Academy, Must ask permission to enter/exit any room including bathroom, Must eat at least 50% of large portions or receive consequence, "Silence"/"No-Talk" where they are not allowed to speak to anybody. WebBut it has been hard to identify what places have a good track record and which ones dont. Learn more about Birdeye, How to respond to negative reviews - business owners guide. I was regularly threatened, sworn at, belittled, compared to the other girls, lied about, manipulated and made fun of by staff and students alike. Researchers must ask permission before submitting their surveys or interview requests. It has publicly threatened to pull a license if immediate action isnt taken, like when Cedar Ridge owners had not reported the sexual abuse between two boys in 2016. Thats what comes to mind when I think of Moonridge Academy. The only good thing about this place is they dont have bars on the windows so you can smash them. This level typically lasts 1-6 months. They are also automatically placed on suicide/harm watch. They hang onto these kids much longer than they should to keep enrollment up. WebMoonridge Academy All-girls | Special Program Emphasis Add to Compare (5) 9400 W. 2400 S. Cedar City, UT 84720 (435) 586-9585 7-9 11 Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy Add to Compare (24) 1454 South Campus Drive Cedar City, UT 84720 (435) 867-5555 9-12 31 Frequently Asked Questions How many private schools are located in We are a community of survivors and advocates who oppose the abusive Troubled Teen Industry. This level typically lasts 1-2 weeks. In response to an appeal, the Office of Licensing lowered its estimate to $4,582. Their website looks and sounds amazing, but the truth is the girls are in a very secluded area with very little activity. He gave kids medications they werent prescribed so often, a lawsuit later alleged, they called him the candy man.. I still have nightmares almost each night of Moonridge Academy. WebMoonridge Academy girls address issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, school refusal, family conflict, sexual boundaries, computer addiction, attention issues, and low The program has a maximum enrollment of 24 girls, and the average length of stay is reportedly between 9 and 12 months.