Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. When she was given her home visit, her mom took her to the doctor and was diagnosed, although we have tried to find the outcome of the lawsuit, none of us have been able to track her family down to share our sympathy). My cousin went to a place 2 years ago called Shortridge Academy and had a much better experience there. Non-Verbal Learning Disability including High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD). The tuition is reported to be anywhere between $6,500 to $12,000 per month. Your Call is Confidential. Their website lists the following conditions the program claims to treat: various mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and oppositional defiance the last of which is no longer listed in the DSM substance abuse and other addictions, eating disorders [] learning disorders and nonverbal learning disability [] social struggles, low self-esteem, adoption/attachment issues, and grief and loss The unadvertised conditions that I witnessed among detainees included being LGBT, Internet addiction, and one girl in particular was sent there for having a black boyfriend. We believe that teens are more than their diagnosis. Discovery Ranch a Utah corporation doing business as Discovery Ranch, Discovery Connections Attorney/Law Firm Details Plaintiff Attorneys Kathryn J. Steffey Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Clayton H. Preece Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Court Documents If youre a troubled teen thats reading this that just recently got out, or its been years and its still effecting you, please believe me when I say that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. She currently works as the Residential Director at Redcliff Ascent, another Ascent Company program. ), There is a significant lack of professional supervision/lack of training, There is a high turnover rate for employees, There is parent manipulation/lies on the programs part for $$, There is lack of necessary medical care to avoid the girls telling a doctor they are being abused, and they are never alone when with a doctor, Run like a bootcamp, zero free time for the kids, every day feels like a punishment, Mormons are running it and very religiously biased, Please. We provide a safe, home-like environment for your son. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. These programs are money makers. There is a culture of caring and respect, but also of excellence and high expectation both for staff and students. Fact-Finding and Discovery Find out about "discovery" -- the process by which opponents in a lawsuit get information from each other to establish facts in the case. In fact, the administration at discovery ranch intentionally delayed my high school graduation by refuting me the right to do my classes in order to keep me there longer. The staff often used abusive behaviors and were very rude to us. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. Also MAY I NOTE THAT THEY ARE SO DESPERATE THAT THEY NEED THEIR OWN STAFF MEMEBERS TO WRITE REVIEWS. Find out more about the assessment. Your job as parents is to help your child, you guys are the problem not your kids. Also a staff there named Matt polson threatened to restrain me several times. While at Discovery Ranch, your son will participate in a variety of outdoor activities. The program has a maxmimum enrollment of 60 boys, and the average length of stay is reported to be around 10 months, but this can be substantially longer if the boy is deemed resistant. They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself. They are very abusive and they will lie to you. Regardless of what they were there for, NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE TREATED AS INHUMANELY AS CHILDREN SUCH AS MYSELF WERE. Teenagers at Discovery Ranch have extremely limited contact with the outside world. Privileges to some might sound like being able to talk to friends, or having free time. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. DIAMOND RANCH ACADEMY, INC., Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant, v. CHELSEA FILER, Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff. Discovery Ranch strives to heal your family as a whole. Discovery is the legal term used to describe the different processes that require parties in a lawsuit to exchange information that each side possesses. I still hear screams from my friends being restrained in the back of my mind. We have all suffered enough, its time to heal and create a system that works. , This place is horrible. We were indirectly expected to manipulate visiting parents of troubled kids who have not yet been sent to treatment. The parents believe discovery ranch and most kids have no hope of anyone listening to them because they think no one believes them and they wont talk and they lie about it. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? DR also advertises their calf program heavily, where each new resident is given a baby calf to care for and raise. They lied and were mainpulative, and power tripped all the time. But I fucking wasnt. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. At one point during my stay, I saw my friend stab his arm repeatedly with a pencil, spraying blood all over me and the windowsill we were sitting on. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. please if you are thinking of sending anyone or know anyone who is considering to send someone here, keep the kid far away from them. When we have the opportunity to get together, its a very special and meaningful time for all of us, we reminisce about the little funny stories that helped us get through the day during our time, we think about about all the suffering we endeared and how we survived, and we always take the time to honor our close friends that didnt and have passed. Staff parents "were expected to replicate a. They only allow astonishing ones to pass. Kids are constantly getting restrained and put on drugs to keep them under control. My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there. I had repressed memories of the physical, sexual, and psychological torture i endured for five years until I watched a documentary on the stanford prison experiment in my psychology class. We earned academic accreditation through Discovery Academy. Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. You Have Questions, We Have Answers. They later sued the show, saying . May their souls rest in peace. They dont give the children any hope of getting out whatsoever. The representative will help connect you with resources that can help your family--even if that help is not from us. Our academic program meets your son at his level. I felt like i somehow deserved to be treated like this and I think a part of me knew I could never stand living in the real world after all this happened. Also if you notice, a large majority of the 5 star ratings are from former staff as opposed to parents/students. William (Google Reviews), 6/1/2020: (SURVIVOR) Through my stay I personally witnessed: Two suicide attempts. Their website lists the following conditions the program claims to treat: various mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and oppositional defiance the last of which is no longer listed in the DSM substance abuse and other addictions, eating disorders [] learning disorders and nonverbal learning disability [] social struggles, low self-esteem, adoption/attachment issues, and grief and loss The unadvertised conditions that I witnessed among detainees included being LGBT, Internet addiction, and one girl in particular was sent there for having a black boyfriend. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. Get Confidential Help Today, Call Us Anytime, Internationally-recognized Residential Treatment Center for Teen Boys Ages 13-18 Located in Utah, Top Residential Treatment Center For Teens, Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based. Its heart wrenching to see how many families were deeply financially destroyed as well as personal connections being permanently damaged. May their souls rest in peace. If Im in the car with someone and they make a wrong turn or something I will flip out and start having a panic attack because all I can think about it oh my god where are they taking me theyre locking me up again. For a year I was put down and felt stupid and inadequate and my opinion didnt matter and if I decided to express it I would be put on some protocol that restricted me from doing anything but sitting at a fucking desk and staring at the god damn wall. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? I highly suggest people look it up, one of the most disgusting things Ive ever read in my life: . The website is misleading. He previously worked at, worked as the Residential Director of Discovery Ranch. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. And the scariest part was that it was fantastic during the day; we would do ropes courses and go skiing and horseback riding and talk to a truly kind therapist every day who genuinely though I was insane or a pathological liar and convinced me I was hallucinating or having nightmares. You can find much better treatment for a better price. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, all the professional departments work together. Discovery Ranch is the Top Residential Treatment Center for Troubled Teen Boys 1318, Located in Utah. discovery ranch lawsuit. They will do everything to keep themselves looking like the best option at all costs just for money. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. If you have any logic in your brain in the slightest then you should realize how goddamn stupid it would be to send your kid to this shit hole. Derek (Yelp), 8/21/2015: (SURVIVOR) Its been about 8-9 years since I left DR; Im now 25 and although I dont dwell on what happened so much anymore, this place has had such a negative impact on my life. The teenagers at Discovery Ranch as forced to adhere to a strict set of rules at all time. Dave Blackwell worked as a Therapist at Discovery Ranch. The parents believe discovery ranch and most kids have no hope of anyone listening to them because they think no one believes them and they wont talk and they lie about it. DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL! Jeff (Google Reviews), HEAL Program Information Discovery Ranch, Family Alleges Bestiality at Alternative School, The Troubled Teen Industry: Commodifying Disability and Capitalizing on Fear by Catherine Kushan (mentions Discovery Ranch), Strength in the Struggle A Marketing Video uploaded by the school to YouTube, Discovery Ranch Secret Prisons for Teens. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. agolden@skyhinews.com. When Jack Stuef found a chest of gold and jewels in a Wyoming forest last year, he felt giddy. While at Discovery Ranch, your son will participate in a variety of outdoor activities. discovery ranch lawsuit. , your son will confront his personal challenges with the goal of healing and increasing his capacity which builds his self-confidence and self-esteem. It began with a lawsuit filed by Hannah Archuleta, who appeared on Dr. Phil in 2019 and then went to the Turn-About Ranch. I posted this exact review several times spacing itself out several months. I can still hear the screams of kids being restrained and having their arms pinned behind them and blood flow cut off because they didnt follow simple orders. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. You might feel that you are all alone. This type of environment makes reporting abuse and neglect impossible for teenagers. I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. He will take part in equine therapy and horsemanship programs and will have the responsibility of caring for a rescued baby calf. Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based residential treatment center for boys ages 13-18. As per Discovery, intruders have appeared on the land at Blind Frog Ranch in many forms. Isnt that tax evasion? A friend of mine stabbing his arm 15+ times with a pencil. They dont want to discuss whats actually wrong. (Blood sprayed on me). (and have it be removed weeks later). Its funny, almost all of the kids that left as a level 5 or 4 ARE DOING DRUGS AND ARE DOING WORSE AT HOME, goes to show how little the program works. Kids are constantly getting restrained and put on drugs to keep them under control. Also if you notice, a large majority of the 5 star ratings are from former staff as opposed to parents/students. , Through my stay I personally witnessed: Two suicide attempts. They often cause way more harm than good. And it wasn't just because he was suddenly a millionaire . You are a survivor of an abusive environment that is very similar to a prison. This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. These programs are money makers. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. Are they just being a teenager? They have the same goals in mind. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. It wasnt until he left the program that people even found out about this happening!! After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. A friend of mine stabbing his arm 15+ times with a pencil. Discovery Ranch is reported by many survivors to be an extremely abusive program. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. Anyone is free to fact check this, and contact me with further questions [redacted]. To them, there is one way that every kid learns, and if you have learning disabilities thats too fucking bad and ask the doctor to raise your meds the next time he comes. Although the system failed us, my peers and I have created somewhat of a little support group to cope and its helped us tremendously. Feel free to ask anything about my stay I'm an open book. Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. . The chidren cant even have open discussions with other inmates there for fear of being punished and losing privileges. if I saw him today i would punch him in the face. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. One small slip up, and you have all privileges taken away from a day to sometimes even a week. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. He also worked for a time as the Director of, Teenagers at Discovery Ranch have extremely limited contact with the outside world. He previously worked at the confirmedly abusive, organization. If you want to send your kid to either wilderness or discovery ranch why dont you do us all a favor parents and send your child to Disney Land so theyll be happy rather then send them to whats pretty much a mental institution for parents that have no idea what the fuck there doing. If you are at all struggling and/or would like to talk to someone who can relate, please do not hesitate to contact me through this post and Id be happy to exchange information so we can talk. The representative will help connect you with resources that can help your family--even if that help is not from us. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. Not only were surveillance cameras found pointing at their worksite, but military helicopters have flown over the Utah land and spy drones have been seen, too. Stay in touch with the other people you shared your time with during DR, reach out to them when things are tough, talk about your struggles. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. 54A District Court 124 W. Michigan Ave., #54A Lansing, MI 48933 (517) 483-4433 Court Website. They left me more broken than they found me. Jackson (Yelp), September 2020: (SURVIVOR) Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. They often cause way more harm than good. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. You have tried outpatient therapy. I felt like i somehow deserved to be treated like this and I think a part of me knew I could never stand living in the real world after all this happened. Proof is attached as an image. We found a traditional therapist that proved to be far more effective. 2:14-CV-751-TC. departments all work together. It is reported that they are only allowed to communicate with their parents through heavily censored and monitored letters, as well as a once-monthly phone call, which is also monitored by staff. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. Case No. The program is affiliated with several other Ascent Company programs, such as RedCliff Ascent, Discovery Academy, Discovery Connections, and Oxbow Academy. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. He also is the Executive Director of Discovery Academy. Parents wont know or understand the gravity of impact this experience has had until after you get out and have openly talked about it, and although its very hard not to blame or take your anger out on them, you have to realize they made their decision out of love and ignorance. However, your teen is still troubled and your family is still in crisis. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. Discovery Ranch only wants to know and talk about their truth which is nothing close to reality. discovery ranch lawsuitshaun thompson elmhurst Consultation Request a Free Consultation Now. Have been in contact with many former students that have not done well once leaving the ranch. You can be assured that your son will not confront these challenges alone. They emotionally and mentally compromise kids for fun. We have the record and independent verification to prove it. BE CAREFUL OF THEM. , This place is sickening. Until now I had remembered my experience there as a happy one- I literally only remembered what went on during the day. And the horrible part? I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. worked as the Clinical Director of Discovery Ranch. Your child will be put in with kids that are older than their age group, that were in gangs, that are addicted to drugs, etc. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? He also is the Executive Director of, . First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. The reason I am writing this now is because I ended up becoming an alcoholic and drug addict once I went to college and had finally had complete freedom. STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. Listen to your child, and dont fall into the traps that programs make which lead parents to think their child is untrustworthy, a liar, manipulator, etc. We have created this bond because unless you went through a detention center such as DR, you will not understand. Basically non-existent education. In February of 2015, a former resident at DR and his family filed a lawsuit against the school reporting that the boy was violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted by another resident at the program. I stopped feeling emotions and didnt for two years. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? (Blood sprayed on me). If Im in the car with someone and they make a wrong turn or something I will flip out and start having a panic attack because all I can think about it oh my god where are they taking me theyre locking me up again. They dont let parents talk freely to their own child. There is not enough research of the negative effects places like DR have on a young person, people dont like to talk or hear about places like DR, the system is extremely flawed, its a corporation that works very hard to keep you there as long as possible for obvious financial reasons while hiring unqualified staff. They report that in January 2104, the boy was placed in a dorm at Discovery Ranch with three other boys, one who began grooming him and another resident for sexual victimization until he was violently sodomized. The attacker used threats of violence, coercion, guilt, and the merit system of Discovery Ranch to manipulate (the boy) to avoid reporting increasingly deviant sexual behaviors, including discussions about sex, pornography, masturbation, and sexual violence. According to the complaint, Discovery Ranchs merit system also prevented (him) from reporting the assaults because he believed that his inferior status and past interactions with Discovery Ranch staff and administrators would result in him being punished if he attempted to disclose the assaults. The family claims the sexual assaults went undiscovered and unchecked throughout the months of January and February and were only revealed when he [the assailant] was transferred from Discovery Ranch after being discovered engaging in bestiality with a horse. The family says that Discovery Ranch failed to adequately investigate the assailant for psychosexually deviant and violent tendencies before admitting him to Discovery Ranch and placing him in the dorm. Additional Information: Family Alleges Bestiality at Alternative School, 9/20/2020: (SURVIVOR) Discovery ranch seems to actively try to remove as many negative reviews as they can, many were mine being removed over and over. I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. You will also be able to observe your sons progress through our secure, password-protected parent portal. If this describes your family, let us help. If they mention these sorts of things to parents (over heavily monitored phone calls and letters in the mail), contact between student and parent would be cut off. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. They love tossing kids emotional and mental state around for worse, or they will lie about problems that a kid doesnt have just to keep kids there longer.They will try to keep kids from telling you from what is really going on, the use their security measures as a punishment Instead of safety and they can, have, and will threaten kids. Although the system failed us, my peers and I have created somewhat of a little support group to cope and its helped us tremendously. Any minor infraction is punished severely. The main issue I have with this place is that it literally fucked up my education so bad that Im 17 and still in freshman English. I understand that people need to help themselves and I cannot blame Discovery Ranch for my decisions but this environment definitely did not promote positive change in my life. I had an IEP at my old school because I cant learn that easily but the program directors convinced my parents I was too lazy to do work that I had trouble doing. He said that he was abused by a staff member while there. Discovery Ranch South offers the perfect healing environment for troubled teens with mental health or behavioral issues. I still have insomnia and night terrors of being at that place. He began his career working in Admissions at, , which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the. My mind sometimes uncontrollably cradles and turns to static when I hear the same radio noise as the staff used at DR. This creates a streamlined experience for your son. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. There thieves taking advantage of parents dispositions and they should be shut down , After my daughter was here for here for 2 months her condition worsened and she started having suicidal thoughts which had never happened before.When I met with her Dr. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I was treated like some sort of criminal. Staff care about one another and take a genuine interest in the girls. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. The tuition is reported to be anywhere between $6,500 to $12,000 per month. Discovery Ranch is an Ascent Company behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. ! Jack (Yelp), 5/28/2020: (SIBLING) A family member of mine attended this school so everything I have heard is 2nd hand. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. My parents (his Mom and step-father) note sending him away added to his sense of rejection started by peer abuse even though they were desperate due to his issues at home and school. It is reported that they are only allowed to communicate with their parents through heavily censored and monitored letters, as well as a once-monthly phone call, which is also monitored by staff. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. I am not the only victim. . There is not enough research of the negative effects places like DR have on a young person, people dont like to talk or hear about places like DR, the system is extremely flawed, its a corporation that works very hard to keep you there as long as possible for obvious financial reasons while hiring unqualified staff. I understand that people need to help themselves and I cannot blame Discovery Ranch for my decisions but this environment definitely did not promote positive change in my life. The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. June 7, 2022 . The chidren cant even have open discussions with other inmates there for fear of being punished and losing privileges. If you are at all struggling and/or would like to talk to someone who can relate, please do not hesitate to contact me through this post and Id be happy to exchange information so we can talk. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. I had repressed memories of the physical, sexual, and psychological torture i endured for five years until I watched a documentary on the stanford prison experiment in my psychology class. We had a close friend that took her life during our time there, we lost a friend to drug addiction that spiraled after leaving DR, and we had another friend who lost her life to cancer, which could have been detected in the earlier stages if DR didnt fail to seek proper medical attention (she was actually punished quite often for complaining about the pain and was either made to do hard manual labor or the staff would put her in isolation for days on end.
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