A few of the current staffers are holdovers, and the former owner still lives in a home on the sprawling property. One of the therapies they promoted was horseback riding. MOONRIDGE ACADEMY - 13 Reviews - Yelp It includes a summary of the incident that was reported, and what actions a facility has taken and plans to take in response. It took half an hour. All he does is insist that you should never pull your 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. 3/26/2021: (SURVIVOR) "I wish I could give this place negative stars. Cedar Ridges new owners said they didnt know the facility had problems with sexual abuse when they began leasing the property, but added that theyve overhauled the program and believe they have put in enough safeguards to make sure it wont happen again. It felt like a lie. According to the organization Safe Teen Schools, "CERTS is an abusive umbrella corporation for boarding schools for troubled youth. Staff's response to me not getting out of bed was to restrain me on the ground for hours. This is the most common response. Alex, a 36-year-old from Alaska, said he experienced similar abuse at Provo Canyon School nearly two decades ago. Moonridge Academy is closely affiliated with Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. 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". On this level, residents earn more trivial privileges like being able to wear eyeliner. WebThere 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. We recommend that no parent send their child to a facility that is run by CERTS., is the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy and, program. I was given medication that did not help and made me feel sick. Staffs response to me not getting out of bed was to restrain me on the ground for hours. Parents who are considering sending their child to Moonridge Academy, please look at different residential or outpatient centers. They made me believe that I deserved all of this. led to the attorney generals office charging him with two felonies. I was hyperventilating, sobbing, rocking back and forth, and all I was asking for was a little distance. But it hasnt been. The month of April is National Child Abuse Prevent Month. Together we can make a difference! It was known about, but completely ignored.. Moonridge Academy has been a NATSAP member since 2012. Students who come to Moonridge Academy are often beginning to experiment with high risk behaviors. I was once again demoted to level 1 and lost my privileges of privacy in the bathroom and social interaction for several weeks. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for girls aged 11-14. That information should be easy to get. Cedar Ridge had a history of reports of sexual abuse. She also works at Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy. These reports are based on a complaint or an incident occurring at the facility. Join us in our fight to combat abuse and neglect in 'troubled teen' programs! 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. The level system is from 1-7, its extremely punitive. Staff refuse to let students use the bathrooms until we peed our pants. 05/01/23. (2) That the Troubled Teen Industry is riddled with abuse, fraud, deceptive marketing, and violations of medical ethics and human rights. These reports are based on a complaint or an incident occurring at the facility. He has also previously worked as the Clinical Director of the resportedly abusive programs Sunrise RTC and Discovery Ranch for Girls. They wouldnt give me painkillers when I had a sore throat and a fever. 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. The company said in a statement that four of the crimes reported from the campus located in the southern Utah town of Virgin during the two-year period The Tribune reviewed were calls made by therapists or staff about abuse students disclosed that happened elsewhere. That information should be easy to get. The document includes a log of how the Office of Licensing investigated and its conclusions. If I had not 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. Have hated that song since. National Interstate Compact Laws (ICPC): This refers to laws adopted by each state that require case workers or parents to have certain documents filled out when a child is going from one state to another for treatment or adoption services. See Privacy Policy. The remaining funds will be used to assist The Tribune in future public records disputes. behavior-modification program founded in 2004. But youll always find that theyre not necessarily healthy environments. That meant we couldnt have free time for a week. Students past traumas were used against them until they cried; they were then physically restrained. Moonridge Academy was not a healthy place for anyone, much less adolescents with mental health issues. Few make false allegations, although some might misread a situation due to their histories. WebMoonridge Academy is a private school located in Cedar City, UT. There was sexual, physical, and constant emotional abuse. 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. Let us know if you find something noteworthy in these documents. Monitored/restricted communication is one of the. Dominate search results. This level typically lasts 1-6 months. She passed out on the drive and nearly died from anemia. Have hated that song since. Just really weird. Some of these rules include: If residents break a rule, they are given a punishment. These facilities have rules they are supposed to follow, such as having a staff ratio of one employee to every four kids. Lastly, the level program is cult-like. 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 She suggested lowering the number of kids in a facility, and increasing staff. Well continue to report on this industry, including our own findings from this trove of records. Staff member accused of possible sexual assault at Hillcrest Tawny Thomas worked as the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy. I wasnt allowed to speak for a few months, and I was being restrained every day for stupid stuff.. Level systems have been used in many confirmedly abusive programs, including the notoriously abusive. Utah has centers with only a dozen beds, and some that house several hundred children. The school has denied in court papers that it is legally responsible. Theyre also keeping a close watch on staff, Pope said, to ensure they dont have favorites or push boundaries. My friend peed her pants because of that, so they forced her to wear a diaper. Instead of letting a girl with a UTI use the bathroom, staff made her wear a diaper so they could have her continue working on cleaning or schoolwork. Donate to The Salt Lake Tribune today. Thats how I got out after a year mistreatment from this place, I dont regret it. One girl tried running away and one of the staff members (a very large Samoan guy) sat on her for over an hour in the dirt. Safety is when you have to stand next to a staff member at all times and you are watched in the bathroom. Utahs Office of Licensing inspects and regulates each facility, and sometimes finds WebMoonridge Academy services younger teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment/adoption issues, emotional dysregulation, poor peer relationships, Avalon Hills Residential Eating Disorders Program, Catalyst Residential Treatment (Grey House), Discovery Academy (Discovery Connections), Pine Ridge Behavioral Health (FV Canyon)*, Utah Youth Village (Alpine Academy/Lakeview Campus/Cedar Creek Home), Utah Youth Village (Beverly Taylor Sorenson Home), Waterfall Canyon Academy (Oakgrove - Girls Program), Waterfall Canyon Academy (Oakgrove - North Campus), Waterfall Canyon Academy (Oakgrove - South Campus), Young Women's Empowerment Center (House #1), Young Women's Empowerment Center (House #3), Youth Health Associates (Cedar Valley Ranch), Youth Health Associates (Lakeside Academy), Provo Canyon School Intermediate Secure Care. One of the girls was anemic and by the time the staff took her to the hospital two weeks later, she was close to dying. Some of these rules include: If residents break a rule, they are given a punishment. Two involved incidents on the campus, they said, but were investigated and did not result in any citations or concerns involving the facility.. It was humiliating. Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Learn more about Birdeye, How to respond to negative reviews - business owners guide. rules, Utes seeing transfer portals impact on college gymnastics, Avalon Hills Residential Eating Disorders Program, Catalyst Residential Treatment (Grey House), Discovery Academy (Discovery Connections), Pine Ridge Behavioral Health (FV Canyon)*, Utah Youth Village (Alpine Academy/Lakeview Campus/Cedar Creek Home), Utah Youth Village (Beverly Taylor Sorenson Home), Waterfall Canyon Academy (Oakgrove - Girls Program), Waterfall Canyon Academy (Oakgrove - North Campus), Waterfall Canyon Academy (Oakgrove - South Campus), Young Women's Empowerment Center (House #1), Young Women's Empowerment Center (House #3), Youth Health Associates (Cedar Valley Ranch), Youth Health Associates (Lakeside Academy), Provo Canyon School Intermediate Secure Care. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. The next year, the facility nearly lost its license after state officials say Cedar Ridge managers knew of sexual abuse involving two boys but didnt report it. I threw up from eating too much. My parents were told I would say it is a bad place. My 13yo daughters father is trying to send her to Moonridge. Moonridge Academy - TeenLife She did schoolwork in a different room, but she still ate meals with us. The punishments used by Moonridge Academy are reported by survivors to be: Several survivors report developing PTSD following their time at Moonridge Academy. Beat local competitors. Teen vomited for days before dying of infection at Diamond The doctor told her she would have died if she had come in even half a day later. Despite determining that Diamond Ranch Academy failed to take Taylor Goodridge to a MOONRIDGE ACADEMY LLC | Where did $380B in PPP money 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. That makes it easy to compare the small and large facilities to one another. I wish I could give this place negative stars. I was sworn at for not walking fast enough. I still have nightmares almost every night of Moonridge Academy. I feel like I should have been required to eat a smaller amount of food, but that was never considered. The state already makes these notices public, and they can be found here. She has been at blueFire for 90 days. I was yelled at for the smallest things, like forgetting to line up my shoes or not asking to enter a room. This practice can be extremely harmful and traumatic to children, especially those with histories of sexual abuse. I followed the rules and pretended I was doing better so I could go home. I was sent to Moonridge in 2003 when I was 13 years old. Perhaps, he said, it could have prevented what he did. It led to a lot of dysfunctional exposure to sexuality, he said. Not even a cough drop. He pleaded no contest in 2010 and was She only said she was worried I still felt that way. I was yelled at for the smallest things, even forgetting to line up my shoes or not asking to enter a room. I only actually rode a horse there maybe 4 times. They would restrain us before accessing the situation and would use restraining as a punishment. 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.. Indiana lawmakers are withdrawing a plan that would have given certain state contractors immunity from most lawsuits filed by abuse victims and their families. Indiana lawmakers are withdrawing a plan that would have given certain state contractors immunity from most lawsuits filed by abuse victims and their families. 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. They did not have a solitary confinement room at Moonridge. Because the kids have no voice. This level typically lasts 1-6 months. Please research alternatives for RTCs. Family therapy usually meant I got blamed for everything that went wrong and my therapist nodded a bunch. $150,000$350,000 $150K$350K loan to But it has been hard to identify what places have a good track record and which ones dont. On this level, residents get ready to go home and gain additional privileges and freedoms. 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. Family therapy usually meant I got blamed for everything that went wrong and my therapist nodded a bunch. Academy Corrective Action Plan (CAP): This requires facility administrators to submit a plan to correct the violations, and the Office of Licensing monitors. Offering a hotline or a similar method for kids to report abuse could become standard in Utah. Jack Hinman is the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy and Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. 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. All they care about is rules and consequences, and most girls at their age group cant live by that. 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. And well be adding more records to this database in the days to come. Do yourself a favor. An infraction for not making his bed right. She was also restrained for saying she did not want to do a chore. Please do not send your child to Trails or Moonridge Academy." It has been reported that phone calls are closely monitored by staff. He began his career in the TTI as a Therapist at the confirmedly abusive, . 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. These notices are published on the states website, and facilities are required to inform their clients of the action and post it on their own website. I remember opening up to my therapist about how awful I felt, maybe five months into my time at Moonridge. At that time, it was just a house on a hill surrounded by wilderness and dirt. 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. WebTeen vomited on multiple days before dying of infection at Utah boarding school, state finds. If a report is found to have merit, state licensing officials further determine if the facility violated a rule. FBI cracks down on major ransomware gang. The boys received a minor punishment, he said, but it wasnt reported to authorities. Another for not vacuuming the floor as he was told. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. One of the girls was anemic and by the time the staff took her to the hospital two weeks later, she was close to dying. But Milne said there are ways to reduce this type of abuse. Moonridge Academy services younger teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment/adoption issues, emotional dysregulation, poor peer relationships, social withdrawal and school refusal. I was told I was fine or to stop exaggerating when I opened up about feeling depressed. Read the violation reports and inspections for Utahs troubled I learned that the only way to survive is to comply. Facilities can apply for an exception. Moonridge Academy - BREAKING CODE SILENCE A girl nearly died from neglect. I was told I was fine when I said I was depressed. GRACES STORY "I was sent - Breakingcodesilence 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. Does anyone have any positive experience to share? And state records show regulators were investigating as recently as last July that yet another staff member had an inappropriate relationship with a student. Safety is when you always have to stand next to a staff member and you are watched in the bathroom. A detailed analysis by The Salt Lake Tribune shows that Cedar Ridge had sex crimes reported to police at a rate 4.5 times higher than the average Utah youth treatment center. I threw up from eating too much. Birdeye helps millions of local businesses to be found online with all their reviews and accurate business information. No, she was not at risk of hitting someone, and no, she was not hurting herself. I was demoted from level 4 to level 1 for kissing another girl. (4) That any program that rushes you into making a placement decision by urging you to act now, must be considered suspect. One of the girls was anemic and by the time the staff took her to the hospital two weeks later, she was close to dying. He has also previously worked as the Clinical Director of the resportedly abusive programs, worked as the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy. He had bounced around a half-dozen centers, including a few in Utah. 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. The Tribune generally does not identify alleged victims of sexual abuse, but those named in this story agreed to the use or partial use of their names. Is any of this actually true? They need deep treatment and staff and the counselors there, are not equipped to deliver what the girls need. Facilities can apply for an exception. Missed Our Virtual Fairs? I was sent to Moonridge in 2003 when I was 13 years old. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune). I still cannot trust myself. We seek to raise awareness and to change the law to protect the teenagers in these programs from harm. A very autistic girl was regularly restrained for spinning around. All he does is insist that you should never pull your daughter from the program before she graduates. I remember telling the staff and my therapist that I felt like a zombie, and they said I was being dramatic. Other times, he said, he was denied a meal. that many struggling girls need without forcing parents to expose their daughters to "older girl" issues. 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. 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. I still cannot trust myself. Communication with family is considered a privilege which must be earned by the teenager. Restraints are only supposed to be used when someone is being unsafe. It blatantly was. Or does all the power stay in the head therapist hands? After 2 months I can visit her any time and eventually take her for the wknd. 9450 W 2400 S, Cedar City, UT 84720 United States, Specialties Moonridge Academy services younger teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment/adoption issues, emotional But some do. But it hasnt been. I threw up from eating too much. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. I had (diagnosed) ADHD, which led to emotional and physical abuse from my parents growing up. Moonridge Academy is owned by CERTS Group. 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. The program is located at 9450 West 2400 South, Cedar City, UT 84721. 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. I was demoted from level 4 to level 1 for kissing another girl. Any comments about blueFire and/or Moonridge would be appreciated, Scan this QR code to download the app now. She was also restrained for saying she did not want to do a chore. To make matters worse, their psychiatrist over medicates and will never call you on a weekend or if you have any important problem. And when a problem does arise, Milne said its important for facilities to be transparent. You Can Watch Them Here! Group therapy included either talking about how you felt, or getting a consequence and having no free time. WebThe Tribune created a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $11,000 from 136 donors. There was sexual, physical, and constant emotional abuse. 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. Academy I learned that the only way to survive is to comply. In response to an appeal, the Office of Licensing lowered its estimate to $4,582. Many of the girls there had severe mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar, etc) and the staff were completely untrained in dealing with them. Im completely stable now and happy, no thanks to moonridge. This business is unclaimed. Our daughter was at Moonridge and management failed her on every level with a fraudulent smile on their faces and the sing-song sound of their voices. Please research alternatives for RTCs. WebBut it has been hard to identify what places have a good track record and which ones dont. 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. Multiple staff members would swear and threaten me if I did anything wrong, even walking too slowly. No journals, books, art supplies, stress balls, kinetic sand. When I expressed as much, I was told I would hurt myself if I was left alone. - Grace (BreakingCodeSilence), 6/20/2020: (SURVIVOR) "I went to Moonridge Academy and it was traumatizing. They are also now considered an upper level and reportedly receive preferential treatment from staff. Please. Private Schools The amount of food we ate was larger than what I was used to, and I was very small. Not every troubled-teen facility in Utah sees a high number of reports of sexual abuse, whether that is staff harming children or youths acting out sexually on one another. The only staff members that treated us well were Gwen, Danny, Karolin (Caroline?). The Childrens Bureau, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prepared a web page for the initiative. It was tedious and humiliating. I remember telling the staff and my therapist that I felt like a zombie, and they said I was being dramatic. I feel like I should have been required to eat a smaller amount of food, but that was never considered. Web"I was sent to Moonridge Academy in 2016 at age 12, which focused a lot on school and therapy. A staff member didnt think my hair was washed properly. WebWe provide academics for grades 6-9. This is possible because of the donations from more than 100 people. Paris Hilton, Utah lawmaker celebrate restrictions on troubled-teen centers. If I had not 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. This website uses cookies and third party services. Robert said that even if workers found out what was happening, no one told the authorities like they were required to do. - Emily (Yelp), 2/10/2021: (SURVIVOR) "Rosie and I were brought to Moonridge Academy in Utah. Multiple staff members would swear and threaten me if I did anything wrong, even walking too slowly. We strongly advise you to seek alternatives to the Troubled Teen Industry. 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. This means, in total, the cost of receiving these records was just under $2,000. The document includes a log of how the Office of Licensing investigated and its conclusions. They are also automatically placed on suicide/harm watch.

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