The recording equipment for the security cameras had been unplugged since September, staff told police.. Editors note This story is part of Sent Away, an investigative reporting partnership between The Salt Lake Tribune and KUER, with support from APM Reports. (courtesy photo) Kirsta, a 17-year-old Bermudian girl, was sent by child welfare workers to a Utah youth residential treatment center last year. [32][9] The report was also critical of school's proposed financial structure. By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's. I am deeply appalled by how this matter is being handled.. Name. Why was she so far from home? her mother asked. Inpatient services include adolescent acute and residential units, medical detox, an adult psychiatric unit, an adult substance abuse unit, and a geriatric unit. We provide EMDR, CBT, DBT and other treatment modalities. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Johnita Simons said she hopes her lawsuit brings some accountability and spurs change so that nothing similar happens in the future. Our specialties include EMDR for trauma, Family Function Therapy, Gottman Couple Therapy, CBT, CPT and DBT. Upon arriving at West Ridge, your family will be assigned a full-time therapist that will work with your son or daughter for the duration of their stay and after. We look forward to being a part of your healing journey! The outpatient program is designed to help clients between eight and 18. Religious, ethnic and gender preferences are accommodated upon request. [3] The school is Christian but non-denominational, with the majority of students belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. West Ridge Academy (known as the Utah Boys Ranch until 2005), is a youth residential treatment center based in West Jordan, Utah, USA. The path to hope and healing at West Ridge Academy is possible, and proven by many families across the world. By giving our students the opportunity, they can immerse themselves in treatment and develop new coping strategies while changing behavior patterns. In the days before her death, Kirsta hadnt been sleeping in her room. [11] In response to the allegations, the State Office of Education prepared a 60-page report providing more details for the Board on the issues raised. West Ridge Academy is located in Utah. Investigative documents say the handbook has been updated, and the state licensing worker expressed no other concerns in documents released to The Salt Lake Tribune. We serve adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. West Ridge Academy offers an array of experiences designed to simulate real life challenges. Sequel Youth and Family Services, which owns the St. George facility, ultimately opted to close Red Rock Canyon School last summer. When the boy began to resist, Feinga said he applied a "bent wrist procedure" that involved him bending the boy's wrist back and applying pressure, the charges state. But the school allowed students 10 minutes of privacy to shower, according to a police report. Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy Police reports show that Kirsta struggled while at West Ridge Academy and was on suicide watch in the days before her death. Kirsta Simons, 17, had been sent to West Ridge. No further action required, the report states. Those were known issues. We appreciate the thorough review that was conducted by the DHS staff, and continue to work closely with our licensor.. Jessica Miller is a legal affairs and criminal justice for The Salt Lake Tribune, where she has worked since 2011. Care, concern, compassion, and competence are four words that guide staff in achieving that goal through the utilization of safe, proven, reliable, and evidenced-based treatment protocols. Regulators did find the treatment center violated one rule that a staff member who was watching the girl should not have been outside the restroom when she attempted to end her life. Kirsta Simons was sent away to a place where no one looked like her. Police reports have suggested that Kirsta was on suicide watch in the days before her death and had been sleeping in a common area at the facility so staff could monitor her. We utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques such as CBT, Experiential, EMDR, TF-CBT, and specific group subjects such as relationship management and coping skills. During day treatment, clients may participate in mental health therapy, recreational therapy, and substance abuse therapy. Information in the story may be outdated The school has been an official member of the 1A Utah High School Activities Association since 2002 with the boys' varsity athletics. 5500 West Bagley Park Road West Jordan, UT 84081 801-282-1000 Search. Phone. This archived news story is available Her reporting has earned numerous awards, including a Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting in 2017. Her death may have been self-inflicted, however, she was supposed to be monitored to prevent this outcome.. How Utah became the nation's top place to send troubled teens, Thinking about getting rid of your lawn? Our fully licensed and credentialed clinical team includes addiction certified physicians, psychologists, psychotherapists, licensed addiction counselors, recreational therapists, interventionists, and dieticians. Thats when she hanged herself. "[4] The facility has received criticism for past abusive practices toward residents, including facing lawsuits in 2008, 2010, and 2012 by former students. [citation needed] It fields boys' high school teams[25] in basketball,[26] baseball[27] and soccer. Probably would have worked better if we could have maintained our son in for a longer period of time than 8 months, the loved one wrote. The program addresses postpartum depression, anxiety, scary thoughts you might be afraid to share, intrusive thoughts, feeling irritable, worthless, coping, and thoughts of harming yourself or feeling like family is better off without you. We serve individuals, couples and families across the lifespan from children age 3 to seniors to empower them to rise above life's challenges. It found that the treatment center did violate one rule that a staff member who was watching the girl should not have been outside the bathroom when she attempted to end her life. Kirsta had been on suicide watch in the days before her death, according to a police report, but she was allowed to have 10 minutes of privacy to shower. Programming that has helped thousands of people achieve sobriety at a rate two times higher than the national average, Highland Ridge continues to hold the reputation as a respected and distinguished treatment center. Those were known issues. Why not transfer Kirsta to a different place, attorney Matthew Feller questioned, if they were not equipped to help her? Utah increased oversight of its troubled-teen industry. Probably would have worked better if we could have maintained our son in for a longer period of time than 8 months. The parents of a Bermudian teenager who took her own life at a US treatment centre have launched a lawsuit against the facility over her death. Editors note This story discusses suicide. 3.3 (5 Reviews) Call (801) 282-1000. Thats my child. They have exceptional staff from there teachers, to counselors, group home and administration, a loved one wrote in a representative review. Recreational Therapy is an important part of treatment. And, we think, preventable.. If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255. This lawsuit comes as a new state law requires centers to develop suicide prevention policies. The boy "was crying really hard" at the time and told Feinga "he probably broke it.". Away from friends, family, her culture. Call or Email West Ridge Academy for a free consultation now - (801) 669-9115 x1124. Located in West Jordan, Utah and founded in 1964, West Ridge Academy is a private nonprofit, which make up about 26 percent of all treatment facilities in Utah. OP Outpatient; RES Residential; Best Rehabs Utah West Jordan (UT) West Ridge Academy. The litigation, filed last month in a Salt Lake City courtroom, alleges West Ridge Academy owed a heightened duty of care to ensure kids are kept safe, but failed to protect Kirsta from herself. We offer free 30 minute consultations to help point you in the right direction. The state has more than 100 such centers and attracts students from all over the United States, and beyond. Residents participate in a variety of recreational activities along with service projects to help the community. She told staff members that she felt like no one loved her, and she had been harming herself. Schooling and counseling are some of the benefits that teens receive while enrolled at West Ridge Academy. or superseded by additional information. The 17-year-old girl had been sent to the facility by Bermudas child welfare system. The kids there have complex issues and are sent there for help. We have clinics in Salt Lake, Lehi and St. George. Are you living a life you dont recognize? New Beginnings Behavioral Treatment Agency, Depression Treatment | Highland Ridge Hospital, Addiction Treatment | Highland Ridge Hospital, Taylorsville Comprehensive Treatment Center, Wings Recovery for Men (Waves Treatment Center). [citation needed] Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. And even now, two years later, Im still feeling that loss.. She had suicidal ideations. They also say the facility didnt have proper procedures to identify when a higher level of care was needed. West Ridge Academy. West Ridge Academys website indicates the treatment team includes mental health professionals, therapists, psychiatrists, and medication managers. Applied Scholastics Academy of Salt Lake City. Our treatment process is two fold: (1) helping our clients make true internal change through exploring and healing emotional scars, while (2) helping our clients extinguish and replace overt behaviors through external modification, resulting in the overall corrective emotional experience. We want all mothers to know that what your feeling is common but not normal and it can be treatable. We are client focused and solution based. 2021-22 Salary Schedules . [28] In 2006 West Ridge Academy started a girls' athletics program[citation needed] and has a girls' basketball team. "We take allegations of any type of abuse quite seriously and we'll wait for the results of the case before we take any further action," he said in a prepared statement. Editors note This story is part of Sent Away, an investigative reporting partnership between The Salt Lake Tribune and KUER, with support from APM Reports. Johnita Simons said she hopes her lawsuit brings some accountability and spurs change so that nothing similar happens in the future. Kirsta Simons was sent away to a place where no one looked like her. It is a co-ed facility that helps students through clinical services. Police closed the case without taking action, and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. We are committed to providing access to services with extended hours, including Saturdays, and teletherapy. [33], In 2021, an employee was charged with child abuse after breaking a child's wrist who was allegedly verbally acting out in class and being defiant. I love her. 5500 West Bagley Park Road West Jordan, UT 84081 801-282-1000 Search. And we just dont see that as something that occurred here.. Everything is focused on how West Ridge Academy can best serve their kids. But she was rushed to hospital on November 14 that year and died the following day. The Bermuda government wrote in a public statement in December 2019 that sending a youth overseas is not a decision taken lightly and is only done after all other resources locally are exhausted. Local resources, they say, include family, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists and other family intervention programs. Her mother, Johnita Simons, still doesnt know why island officials picked West Ridge Academy. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. All rights reserved. The kids there have complex issues and are sent there for help. to discuss the article, but Buttars and West Ridge staff declined the invitation. WEST JORDAN An employee at a school for troubled teens has been charged with child abuse and accused of breaking the wrist of a boy who was acting out. Outpatient addiction treatment is being more and more recognized as a highly effective and realistic approach to addiction recovery by substance abuse and mental health professionals around the world. Take the first step and call our admissions or fill out the Contact a Specialist form. deductible, 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. All rights reserved. On Nov. 14, 2019, she tried to end her life. and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. (801) 253-0365. The reason that parents and guardians place their children in these kinds of facilities is based on a promise that these kids will be no worse off when they leave, Feller said. ceremonial signing last month was attended by Paris Hilton, Paris Hilton returns to Utah for ceremonial bill signing to regulate troubled-teen centers, Cox declares May 1 Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, Flooding, avalanches impact communities in Utah as record temperatures continue, South end of Great Salt Lake up nearly 4 feet since berm raised in February, Utah leaders look to Israel to help save the Great Salt Lake, Have You Seen This? Residents take part in academic recovery, build life skills, attend wellness activities, create art, and learn music. Therapeutic Schools", "Utah Department of Human Services licensure records for West Ridge Academy", "Boys Ranch to dedicate spiritual center Thursday", "West Ridge Academy challenges accusations of abuse at state school board meeting", "A Utah facility for 'troubled teens' won't be disciplined after a girl from Bermuda died", "Employee at Utah school for troubled teens charged with child abuse", "Missionaries bring love into lives at West Ridge Academy", "Alex Boye performs at West Ridge Academy gala", Site critical of the facility, run by former students, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=West_Ridge_Academy&oldid=1140167492, Educational institutions established in 1964, Therapeutic boarding schools in the United States, Buildings and structures in West Jordan, Utah, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Articles lacking reliable references from May 2011, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 19:59. Counsel for Kirstas family however argue that the facility was negligent, arguing that the teen was not properly supervised and the centre did not have proper procedures to gauge when a higher level of care was needed. It offers outpatient programs, medication management, day treatment, and residential treatment to teens who are struggling with mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders. "[4] The facility has received criticism for past abusive practices toward residents, including facing lawsuits in 2008, 2010, and 2012 by former students. Prescription medication can keep you comfortable during treatment by reducing opioid cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal. [13] Past board members included Utah Senator Delpha Baird, West Jordan city Judge Ronald Kunz, and police chief Ken McGuire. We provide a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, exercise therapy, acupuncture and music therapy- to name a few. When a staffer told her that her shower time was up one Thursday afternoon, Kirsta reportedly asked to go to the bathroom. The legislation also requires facilities to develop suicide prevention policies, which include a plan for how they will respond when a child is self-harming or is suicidal. Ken Allen, the academy's director, has stated that the missionaries' role is pivotal in the reformation of the boys and girls who attend West Ridge Academy. Thaddeus Wendt, the girls parents civil attorney, said the family have tried to get records that would explain why she was sent to the facility, but none have been provided. [10][11], The board of directors is composed of prominent Utah residents including Shawn Bradley,[12] BYU religion instructor Sally Wyne, and LaVar Christensen. During that time, Kirsta is the only teen to have died in a Utah center though other deaths were reported in similar facilities across the country, including in Michigan, where 16-year-old Cornelius Fredericks died while staff restrained him. Thats my child. We focus on helping postpartum and pregnant mothers feel better mentally through different levels of therapy catered to mom's needs. Feinga, a staff member of the school who was also in the classroom, removed the teen from the room by placing him in a wrist restraint also known as a "gooseneck hold" or an "escort hold," according to charging documents. [citation needed] Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. See stories by Jessica Miller | Salt Lake Tribune, Calls for regulation hope to get a handle on troubled teen transporters. Facebook-f Twitter Soundcloud Youtube. Theres not a day that goes by that my heart doesnt ache. Staff will be in the bathroom during these times and you will maintain frequent verbal check-ins with staff.. [3] It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation under the name Children and Youth Services, Inc. Learn about addiction treatment services at West Ridge Academy. In the days before her death, Kirsta hadnt been sleeping in her room. The Charter School Board approved the application and transition in January 2016, but the state's Board of Education reversed the decision the following month, denying the application without prejudice, amid allegations of abuse and financial insolvency. Because we see addiction as a multi-faceted disease that impacts different aspects of an indvidual's well-being, we provide a variety of behavioral therapies, family therapy, physician-directed care, and Medication-Assisted treatment when clinically indicated. Our property includes two separate spacious housing campusesone for youth ages 9-12, and another for youth ages 13-18. In their 73-page lawsuit, they say West Ridge didnt communicate a treatment plan with Kirstas parents and did not sufficiently supervise Kirsta. At Alliance Clinical Services, we approach individuals with issues in an open-minded way. Utah legislators passed a bill this year that enhances oversight of the states youth treatment industry and places limits on their use of restraints, drugs and isolation rooms. [9], West Ridge Academy offers a comprehensive sports program, believing it to be a positive treatment for some students because it offers a chance to form a bond with their teammates. A search warrant filed by West Jordan police further states that the boy was being "loud" and was swearing and was "acting out by interrupting the class and being defiant to staff.". West Ridge Academy is a public, nonprofit, nonsectarian, nondiscriminatory educational organization. Soon after the second request, David O. McKay, then president of the LDS Church, donated $10,000 to support the Utah Boys Ranch. Cons The hours are long with no breaks in between. Now her parents are suing West Ridge, alleging the treatment center should have done more to prevent their childs death. To know that my baby girl died in such a horrific manner is heartbreaking, she said. Her daughter didnt know anyone in Utah and had never left Bermuda before. Its a big void in my heart that can never be filled, she said. Program related to preteens/teen in addiction. Our hospital specializes in kindhearted and nurturing treatment of individuals who are struggling with depression and any other disorders that may be present. Why not transfer Kirsta to a different place, attorney Matthew Feller questioned, if they were not equipped to help her? LOSS. We treat all clients with respect and dignity, regardless of the depths or seriousness of their situation. Reading or replaying the story in its Located in West Jordan, Utah and founded in 1964, West Ridge Academy is a private nonprofit, which make up about 26 percent of all treatment facilities in Utah. If accommodation is required post-treatment, our male or female-only recovery homes provide the ideal transition. All rights reserved. Allegations of abuse from former students were one of the main reasons Utah's Board of Education initially denied the application for West Ridge Academy to become a charter school called Eagle Summit Academy. Legislation to require care centres to develop suicide prevention policies that include a plan for how they will respond when a child is self-harming or is suicidal was passed in the state earlier this year. Families feel it too. The death of 17-year-old Taylor Goodridge at Diamond Ranch Academy is the latest test for Utah's will to regulate the "troubled teen industry" The state of Utah always gave it another chance.Sent Away is an investigative reporting podcast made in partnership with KUER, The Salt Lake Tribune and APM Reports, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Subscribe now on Apple or Spotify. We offer a 3-12 month program, integrating therapy and healing for clients and their families. Tyler Haunga Feinga, 21, of West Jordan, was charged May 4 in 3rd District Court with child abuse, a class A misdemeanor. On Nov. 14, 2019, she tried to end her life. [citation needed] Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. The parents lawyers have tried to get records that might explain why Kirsta was there at all, but the lawsuit says the facility hasnt handed them over. West Ridge Academys website notes residential treatment is for teens between nine and 18. She died by suicide at West Ridge Academy on Nov. 14. Education is an important component of our treatment. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at-risk. She had depression. The academy was established in 1964 with the assistance of a $10,000 donation from David O. McKay, then president of the LDS Church. We serve adults 18+ with mental health and/or substance use. To date, the loved one surveyed by Best-rehabs.com gave four out of five stars for the staffs experience. Bermuda, a British island territory deep in the North Atlantic Ocean, has spent more than $8 million in the past five years sending 40 children in its foster care system to Utah troubled teen facilities. Comes from addressing the root of the addiction- not just the addiction itself. She was given an extra two minutes. Add to Compare.