Child welfare officials from Bermuda flew the 17-year-old more than 2,600 miles to a youth treatment facility in Utah, where she died by suicide nearly two years ago. On Nov. 14, 2019, she tried to end her life. The treatment centers treatment groups include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills groups for girls, sexual and pornography addiction group for boys, and support groups for teens struggling with self-esteem, mood disorders, and grief. Our fully licensed and credentialed clinical team includes addiction certified physicians, psychologists, psychotherapists, licensed addiction counselors, recreational therapists, interventionists, and dieticians. Add to Compare. In early 2005, it opened new, separate facilities for girls and changed its name to West Ridge Academy. Her mother, Johnita Simons, still doesnt know why island officials picked West Ridge Academy. Call now and talk to one of our Admission Specialists. [21][22][23] The group originally purchased five acres on which to build the Ranch. According to West Ridge Academys website, treatment typically starts with a comprehensive mental health assessment. Thats when she hanged herself. Outpatient gives you the opportunity to "put your mental armour back on everyday" and provide you with all the support you need in your recovery. This evidence-based approach is used by our therapists and trained staff to help our residents in four main areas mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In the days before her death, Kirsta hadnt been sleeping in her room. This lawsuit comes as a new state law requires centers to develop suicide prevention policies. We serve individuals, couples and families across the lifespan from children age 3 to seniors to empower them to rise above life's challenges. Her death may have been self-inflicted, however, she was supposed to be monitored to prevent this outcome.. 801-282-1000 Campus Map Schedule a Tour Meet The Staff And even now, two years later, Im still feeling that loss.. Treatment Center Details. and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. Police say a 15-year-old boy at West Ridge Academy, 5500 W. Bagley Park Road, was being disruptive in class on Jan. 4. (He) said he was in significant pain and could not move his wrist," according to the court documents. We provide a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, exercise therapy, acupuncture and music therapy- to name a few. Lawyers for Kirstas parents allege that West Ridge was negligent. West Ridge Academy was under investigation with the states licensing agency for about four months before the Department of Human Services Office of Licensing closed its case in March. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Now her parents are suing West Ridge, alleging the treatment center should have done more to prevent their childs death. 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. Thats my child. She struggled there, according to police reports. Theres not a day that goes by that my heart doesnt ache. When a staffer told her that her shower time was up one Thursday afternoon, Kirsta reportedly asked to go to the bathroom. coed Grades: Ages 9-17 Students: 150 Faculty: N/A. We have an NBA regulation gymnasium and outdoor sport court area including basketball, sand volleyball, and pickleball. Through the use of safe and reliable evidenced-based treatment interventions, we are proud to be one of the most distinguished and respected treatment centers in the state of Utah. [22] Later, leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars became the executive director and remained so for more than fifteen years before retiring amid controversy. Residents participate in a variety of recreational activities along with service projects to help the community. [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. Kirsta, we know, was dealing with mental illness. This approach is highly effective, see testimonials from other clients on our website. The school has been an official member of the 1A Utah High School Activities Association since 2002 with the boys' varsity athletics. We help you resolve the effects of any physical or emotional trauma you may have experienced in your life through our qualified EMDR therapists. That is where hope begins. Utah will pay you to do it, Gwyneth Paltrow wont recoup attorney fees in Utah ski crash lawsuit, How a Utah TV reporter ended up in Israel to learn about helping the Great Salt Lake, The stigma around opioid abuse is more than individual. Call or Email West Ridge Academy for a free consultation now - (801) 669-9115 x1124. 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. First, many of us in recovery, more so in early recovery, think of ourselves as either being worse than or better than everyone else, which is one of the reasons why humility is such a big deal in 12-Step programs. 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. Call us with your questions and concerns and learn how your family can become whole again. Ultimately, her taking her own life at West Ridge Academy was foreseeable. The recording equipment for the security cameras had been unplugged since September, staff told police.. West Ridge Academy 5500 West Bagley Park Road West Jordan, Utah 84081. Those were known issues. All mothers will have direct access to our qualified staff of therapists and medical personnel for medication management while attending our unique program. Thats when she hanged herself. Kirsta was rushed to a hospital and died the next day. Lawyers for Kirstas parents allege that West Ridge was negligent. Located Read More Contact Who is West Ridge Academy Headquarters 5500 W Bagley Park Rd, West Jordan, Utah, 84081, United States Phone Number (801) 282-1000 Website We offer Residential (RTC), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to help treat a wide range of mental health struggles. 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. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. The school has been open since 1964. If you're as disgusted by Russia's abhorrent attack as we are, please support Ukraine and its people. He joined the KSL.com team in 2021, after many years of reporting at the Deseret News and KSL NewsRadio before that. [5][6][7][8] In 2016, the application to transition West Ridge Academy into a charter school, named Eagle Summit Academy, was approved by the Utah Board of Education after including caveats to keep public and private funding separate in the school's budgets and to ensure the safety of the new charter school's students. Police reports show that Kirsta struggled while at West Ridge Academy and was on suicide watch in the days before her death. Can you list the top facts and stats about West Ridge Academy? Since 1964, West Ridge Academy has been providing academic opportunity and clinical care programs. Utahs licensing agency oversees 3,000 facilities, everything from treatment centers for both kids and adults and foster care agencies. It takes time to unravel the lifetime of trauma and pain that underlies addiction, but we're ready to walk that path with you. [citation needed] It fields boys' high school teams[25] in basketball,[26] baseball[27] and soccer. Our spacious mountain-style residences in Park City and Heber City offer individuals a refuge where they can process their experiences and start over in sobriety while receiving comprehensive, compassionate care. 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. rules, Utes seeing transfer portals impact on college gymnastics. West Ridge Academy Executive Director Bob Stubbs said Feinga has since been fired. West Ridge Academy. He told investigators that "the wrist bent is used for when residents are harming staff, harming peers, run risk or causing damage to the West Ridge property. Employees told police later that only a few minutes had passed, but police werent able to verify the timeline. 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. Our students attend an accredited school, participate in various 1A sports, and engage in recreational therapy. . rules, Utes seeing transfer portals impact on college gymnastics, after a teen girl from Bermuda died by suicide, threatened to yank the license for Red Rock Canyon School, ultimately opted to close Red Rock Canyon School. 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. All Rights Reserved, Proud Member of Utah Non-Profits Association. She died by suicide at West Ridge Academy on Nov. 14. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. During day treatment, clients may participate in mental health therapy, recreational therapy, and substance abuse therapy. 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. It exists to create an environment of real change for future generations. Using true client centered methods, interventions and treatments are tailored to focus on patterns of thinking that are maladaptive and the beliefs that undermine such thinking. In-home assessments are $300, in-office assessments are $200, and outpatient sessions are $85. Police closed the case without taking action, and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. West Ridge is a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth. The facilitys handbook for suicide watch states: You will always be within arms length of staff, except while toileting or showering. Why was that determined to be the best place for her to be?. She had depression. Dialectical behavioral therapy. She died by suicide at West Ridge Academy on Nov. 14. Our clinical staff consists of specialists in a wide variety of areas allowing us to match services to client needs. MAT is a holistic approach that can help you find long-term recovery. Copyright 2021 West Ridge Academy. This is important to our philosophy because beginning treatment in the here-and-now allows a man to SQUARE up to his life, SQUARE up to those who love him, and most importantly, get SQUARE with himself. [9], West Ridge also provides a day program called Sunshine Solutions for underprivileged local kids, age five and up which provides "summer activities, positive mentors and emotional growth to help them learn how to make good decisions". (courtesy photo) Kirsta, a 17-year-old Bermudian girl, was sent by child welfare workers to a Utah youth residential treatment center last year. And we just dont see that as something that occurred here.. 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. They provide lasting solutions through comprehensive mental health services for youth and their families. We provide lasting solutions through comprehensive mental health services for youth and their families. Why was that determined to be the best place for her to be?. The schools policies state the staffer should have been in the bathroom and maintain[ed] frequent verbal check-ins with Kirsta. No one talked the way she did. Those were known issues. EVNSQ was our first choice for some very specific reasons. Here to assist the treatment of people with Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, among other symptoms including Addiction/Alcoholism (IOP Program), and to promote positive and optimal mental health. Bermuda, a British island territory deep in the North Atlantic Ocean, has spent more than $8 million in a five-year period sending Kirsta and 39 other children in its foster care system to Utah troubled-teen facilities. Tyler Haunga Feinga, 21, of West. [22] There are several elderly couples called as LDS service missionaries at the academy. By giving our students the opportunity, they can immerse themselves in treatment and develop new coping strategies while changing behavior patterns. In fact, the goal is to make them better.. archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. We believe that inpatient rehab is at the root of real, lasting recovery. About Us ; Programs ; Admissions ; Testimonials ; Resources ; Donate ; Contact ; Proud Member of Utah Non-Profits Association ; [34], The academy is nondenominational and open to all regardless of religious affiliation,[3][10] but has had a number of connections with the LDS Church throughout the academy's history. 752 were here. 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. She had depression. We have clinics in Salt Lake, Lehi and St. George. But the school allowed students 10 minutes of privacy to shower, according to a police report. We provide the highest quality and compassionate care that you can trust to each person we serve using research based proven therapies. 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. Reading or replaying the story in its This alliance helps the client gain the necessary skills in life to lead a joyful, value-based, offense-free lifestyle. 9.3. "[4] The facility has received criticism for past abusive practices toward residents, including facing lawsuits in 2008, 2010, and 2012 by former students. Learn how and when to remove this template message, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Search for Public Schools - West Ridge Academy (A1904497)", Woodbury Reports, Inc.: October 2006: #146, "My Parents Had Me Abducted and Sent to a Mormon Treatment Center", "Elsey v. West Ridge Academy case #2:2008cv00390", "Doe et al v. Children and Youth Services et al case #2:2010cv00313", "More speak out over West Ridge Academy lawsuit, claims of abuse", "Utah board approves charter school tied to treatment center accused of abusing children", "The Report of the Accreditation Visiting Team: West Ridge Academy", "Allegations of abuse at prospective charter school splits Utah's top school boards", "UT Admin Code R501-15. The investigation was a disappointing result for the girls mother, who asked not to be identified to protect the privacy of her younger children. Why was she so far from home? her mother asked. Spencer Cox signed a new law that places more regulations on Utah's "troubled teen" centers. 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. Email. [1]. It seems to be a zero-sum game we live by. Tyler Haunga Feinga, 21, of West Jordan, was charged May 4 in 3rd District Court with child abuse, a class A misdemeanor. [12] The current executive director is Kenneth R. Allen, who is also director of Proficio Management, a management company owned by the academy. The West Jordan detective didnt seem worried about foul play, the report reads, and the medical examiner ruled Kirstas death a suicide. West Ridge Academy. Applied Scholastics Academy of Salt Lake City. We want all mothers to know that what your feeling is common but not normal and it can be treatable. Staffers moved her to the common area, a police report states, so they could keep an eye on her after she had attempted to harm herself. Our team can address situations in the moment and provide constant support, facilitating growth and change in a positive way. Our program is different than a traditional 12-step treatment program. Janet Farnsworth, the executive director of West Ridge Academy, said she couldnt speak specifically about Kirstas death, but said the facility sends heartfelt concern to her grieving family. Located in Midvale, Utah, Highland Ridge Hospital is a behavioral health and substance abuse treatment center that is dedicated to providing superior service to adolescents, adults, and senior adults. We look forward to being a part of your healing journey! 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). [29], West Ridge has been the subject of several lawsuits, including personal injury lawsuits in 2008 and 2010. I am deeply appalled by how this matter is being handled.. 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. 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. Two days later, other staff members took the boy to a local hospital where X-rays of his left wrist revealed a distal fracture, according to the warrant. OP Outpatient; RES Residential; For more than 12 years, Turning Point Centers has been treating individuals with alcohol, drug and mental health issues. State regulators found that the male staff member who was watching her was conducting verbal check-ins that day, but was outside the bathroom which violated the facilitys policies. Nestled in Utahs Wasatch Mountain Range, we specialize in providing gender-specific care to those struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) and underlying mental health conditions. If accommodation is required post-treatment, our male or female-only recovery homes provide the ideal transition. [13] Past board members included Utah Senator Delpha Baird, West Jordan city Judge Ronald Kunz, and police chief Ken McGuire. 2021-22 Salary Schedules . [citation needed] Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. 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. In the days before her death, Kirsta hadnt been sleeping in her room. Why was she so far from home? her mother asked. Police closed the case without taking action, and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. With a large group of therapists, we can offer a wide variety of approaches and personalities to match our clients with the therapist who can best support them in their goals. She had depression. Her mother, Johnita Simons, still doesnt know why island officials picked West Ridge Academy. 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. Johnita Simons said she didnt know Kirsta had been sent to Utah and had no say in the decision. and places limits on their use of restraints, drugs and isolation rooms. Recreational Therapy is an important part of treatment. Individuals typically stay in day treatment between four and eight weeks. Kirsta, we know, was dealing with mental illness. Programming also includes individual, family, and group counseling. Continue reading Be the first to find this review helpful Helpful Share 5.0 Residents receive a hot meal at breakfast, lunch, and dinner two snacks per day are also provided. Our horses are rescued, we use EAP to heal the animals as much as the students. Take the first step and call our admissions or fill out the Contact a Specialist form. (Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) West Ridge Academy in West Jordan, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. [35] Prior to 2005, while operating under the name, Utah Boys Ranch, the logo of the facility included the phrase, "Do What is Right, Let the Consequence Follow", taken from an LDS hymn. West Ridge Academy received nearly $850,000 from Bermuda officials. If the issues that this facility, or any facility, is addressing are too complex for that facility, the most important thing is to get the children to a place [where] they can be taken care of, he said. View 8 Photos. The state has more than 100 such centers and attracts students from all over the United States, and beyond. Our focus on family, community, and dual diagnosis sets us apart as Utah's premiere inpatient rehab center. I just dont understand why she was sent there. With a focus on treating the whole person, the caring, compassionate, and experienced team of clinicians at Highland Ridge stands by our goal of providing successful and nurturing treatment for individuals are struggling with chemical dependency issues and mental health concerns. West Ridge Academy (known as the Utah Boys Ranch until 2005), is a youth residential treatment center based in West Jordan, Utah, USA. We help with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm, trauma, substance abuse, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, borderline personality traits, reactive attachment disorder, oppositional defiance, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, high functioning autism, gender dysphoria, or rebellion. The recording equipment for the security cameras had been unplugged since September, staff told police. Theres not a day that goes by that my heart doesnt ache. The service missionaries provide spiritual tutoring but do not proselytize, using the Book of Mormon and the Bible with LDS teens and only the Bible when interacting with teens of other faiths at the academy. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. 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. Are you living a life you dont recognize? Everything is focused on how West Ridge Academy can best serve their kids. 43. Information in the story may be outdated To know there was no one held responsible is a slap in the face. Our team of doctors and nurses will also help assess for an medication needed and closely monitor your response to them. Spacious facilities on 50-acres include living quarters, two schools, the cafeteria, religious buildings, a gymnasium, a medical office, and outdoor sport areas. To date, the 68 people who left reviews on its Facebook page, which it has the ability to manage, gave an average of 3.9 out of five stars. Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy [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). At our core, West Ridge Academy is an all-encompassing program designed to heal families. 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. 801-282-1000. 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. We are committed to providing access to services with extended hours, including Saturdays, and teletherapy. She was given an extra two minutes. 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. Service Settings. Johnita Simons said she hopes her lawsuit brings some accountability and spurs change so that nothing similar happens in the future. Taylorsville Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC) is a trusted provider of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and is located in Taylorsville, Utah. 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" [10][11], The board of directors is composed of prominent Utah residents including Shawn Bradley,[12] BYU religion instructor Sally Wyne, and LaVar Christensen. 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. 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. The centers state licensed mental health professionals complete all the assessments. West Ridge Academy is a public, nonprofit, nonsectarian, nondiscriminatory educational organization. . At half the cost of most private facilities and treatment centers, the Utah Addiction Centers' multi-disorder treatment provides personalized outpatient and residential treatment for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual disorders (including pornography) and other problems. Our team of professionals provide a wide variety of treatment methods aimed to help you feel better and get your life back on track. 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. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at-risk. In their 73-page lawsuit, they say West Ridge didnt communicate a treatment plan with Kirstas parents and did not sufficiently supervise Kirsta. Police closed the case without any charges. Her daughter didnt know anyone in Utah and had never left Bermuda before. Staffers moved her to the common area, a police report states, so they could keep an eye on her after she had attempted to harm herself. "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. She had suicidal ideations. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax [11] The Board of Education revisited the application in March 2016 following the preparation of a 60-page report prepared by the State's Office of Education providing details on the issues raised the previous month. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}403503N 1120110W / 40.584239N 112.019367W / 40.584239; -112.019367, West Ridge Academy (known as the Utah Boys Ranch until 2005), is a youth residential treatment center based in West Jordan, Utah, USA. West Ridge Academy was under. West Ridge Academys website indicates the treatment team includes mental health professionals, therapists, psychiatrists, and medication managers. But no disciplinary action was listed in documents released recently in response to a records request. Earlier this year the Utah Senate voted unanimously in favour of a bill to increase oversight of the states troubled-teen industry and place limits on the use of restraints, drugs and isolation rooms. A Utah youth residential treatment center will not be disciplined by state regulators after a teen girl from Bermuda died by suicide there last November. With a Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, Highland Ridge Hospital is renowned as one of Utah's leading providers of behavioral healthcare and substance abuse treatment. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at-risk. Best Rehabs Utah West Jordan (UT) West Ridge Academy. Johnita Simons, the teenagers mother, told The Salt Lake Tribune she hoped her lawsuit would help protect other families from similar tragedies. Treatment programs we offer include trauma and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) group therapy, and medication management for adolescents and adults. Ultimately, her taking her own life at West Ridge Academy was foreseeable. Program related to preteens/teen in addiction.

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