'Tough love' teen programs may be probed
Jacob Santini
The Salt Lake Tribune
A California lawmaker has requested a federal investigation to determine if a St. George company, and its network of schools that promise behavior modification for teens, has abused kids and duped parents.
In a letter to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft dated Nov. 3, Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., accused the system of schools of using "deceptive advertising" and alleges "hundreds of children have been mistreated or neglected and that their legal rights have been regularly [flouted]."
The company, World Wide Association of Specialty Programs, or WWASPS, fired back a letter Thursday claiming the request is based on misinformation perpetuated by the news media and dissatisfied clients.
"Many view our methods as harsh, and certainly most miscreant teenagers find that the ordeal of being taken away from home, liberties removed and luxuries eliminated is a huge shock," said Ken Kay, WWASPS president, in a response sent to Miller.
"However, our charge is to return sometimes violent, drug-addicted, promiscuous, delinquent and other like teenagers to their families not only able to be productive in society but to be confident and happy individuals."
The system of schools has courted the concept of tough-love and operates with strict rules and consequences for teens, according to previous reports. The schools can cost nearly $4,000 a month for teens who stay an average of 16 months in the program.
WWASPS was founded as a nonprofit agency in 1998 and currently has nine affiliated residential treatment programs.
Whether the congressman's letter will prompt an investigation is unclear.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Salt Lake City has yet to receive an official copy. Office policy, however, will not allow the U.S. Attorney to confirm an investigation into the schools either, said Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for the Salt Lake City office.
Miller, the ranking Democrat on the Committee on Education and Workforce, has requested a report by Nov. 17 on whether an investigation is coming.
Miller said his interest in the WWASPS system stems from allegations of abuse from within the system.
"The reports of abuse of these children never stop coming in," he said.
WWASPS, however, denies there is any abuse, neglect or "deception" of parents going on.
"There's nothing to find from a federal investigation," said James Wall, a public relations consultant in Denver representing WWASPS.
The WWASPS has schools in Utah's Washington and Rich counties, Jamaica, Mexico, Montana and Canada.
In May, the system once again came under public scrutiny after the Academy at Dundee Ranch was shut down by Costa Rican officials who alleged widespread mismanagement and abuse.
Miller also cites the closure of six other WWASPS-affiliated programs, some that predate the formal organization of the umbrella association, since 1996.
* Sunrise Beach in Cancun was closed in 1996 following allegations of abuse.
* Brightway Adolescent Hospital in St. George closed in 1998 following state licensing trouble. Kay was an administrator at Brightway.
* Paradise Cove in American Samoa closed in 1998 after the U.S. State Department requested an investigation.
* The Morava Academy in the Czech Republic shut down in 1998 after allegations of physical abuse.
* High Impact in Mexico closed in 2001 following abuse allegations. According to Miller's letter, there is debate over whether High Impact was affiliated with WWASPS.
* Bell Academy in California closed in September for failing to meet licensing requirements, according to Miller.
WWASPS has invited Miller to come to Utah to check out the schools. Miller said he was uninterested, calling such tours "dog and pony shows."
jsantini@sltrib.com