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discovery ranch lawsuit

I still maintain close relationships with both girls and boys who are around my age (23-27) that have gone through exactly what you are going through now; so whether its easier to talk to a guy or girl or someone with a similar case to yours, I can put you in contact with them if youd like (Free of charge too! I was 15 years old. Education was packets and computer testing only poor. He said that he was abused by a staff member while there. Seek other avenues for your child. Keith (Yelp), 6/28/2013: (PARENT) This is the worst place to send your child. May their souls rest in peace. 1308 South 1600 West, Mapleton, Utah 84664, . 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. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. For example, in an employment law case, a fired employee will want to see their personnel file, and through discovery, an employer would likely be required to provide those documents. I was told Control-freak parents often produce children who feel guilty and disloyal , fearing theyll disappoint their over-bearing parents. I couldnt believe he was blaming me for thisafter we could no longer afford to send her there she was abruptly released and told good luck. In other words, do not trust them. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. Like other behavior-modification programs, Discovery Ranch utilizes a level system based around a merit/demerit structure. You have tried outpatient therapy. 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. They made me feel disgusting and quite hideous. 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. He will take part in equine therapy and horsemanship programs and will have the responsibility of caring for a rescued baby calf. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. Caring, experienced professionals are ready to help your son. We earned academic accreditation through Discovery Academy, Contact one of our well-trained representatives now. 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. Discovery ranch uses a merit system to punish kids. The level-system consists of five levels, which the boys progress through by earning points for good behavior while avoiding demerits for negative behaviors and rule infractions. If you have a child with attention deficit disorder do not send your son here BECAUSE it is like water boarding to have a kid sit in a room for 7 hours straight and have them study all day even though they are trying. 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. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. 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 MAY I NOTE THAT THEY ARE SO DESPERATE THAT THEY NEED THEIR OWN STAFF MEMEBERS TO WRITE REVIEWS. They would arbitrarily lock me in a tiny pitch black closet devoid of food, water, a bathroom, or human contact for days, usually because I made an inappropriate facial expression like crying or raising my eyebrows when they screamed at me that I was worthless and no one could ever love me. He began his career working in Admissions at Provo Canyon School, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the WWASP organization. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. Youre parents will love that, Ha!). Have been in contact with many former students that have not done well once leaving the ranch. They only allow astonishing ones to pass. 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. We all cope in our own ways, but if we can help by sharing our experiences and what we learned, theres not a single one of us that would turn down a younger DR peer that is currently battling our same battles. dont do this to your child We are all begging you. We would act like we loved the treatment center, and that there wasnt any abuse going on. I had to raise a baby cow for the slaughter to learn to deal with loss, exercise until I threw up blood, pick up cow shit every day, I could go on and on. 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. The ranch has the best of both worlds: a small-town atmosphere with access to world-class skiing, outdoor activities, surrounded by beautiful mountains, and close to two major universities and hospitals. Any complaints about the program and the abuse kids witnessed would be brushed off by program coordinators and therapists. 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. In this experiential, safe, and supportive environment, your son will confront his personal challenges with the goal of healing and increasing his capacity which builds his self-confidence and self-esteem. (During my stay, a kid in a different house was repeatedly raped by another kid for days until he was caught.) The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I was treated like some sort of criminal. 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. , 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. Lawsuit filed March 3rd against the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF). The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. A friend of mine stabbing his arm 15+ times with a pencil. 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. My parents sent me there because I was depressed, doing poorly in school instead of getting straight As, got caught shoplifting a pack of gum from 7-11, spent too much time on the computer, and was too angry and defiant. Staff parents "were expected to replicate a. If anything, kids got worse from being here. behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. This place did not save my life it scared me to have problems. , I attended Discovery Ranch 5 years ago when I was 15 years old. We respect your privacy. This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. 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. 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 Once a lawsuit gets underway, parties to the lawsuit or their lawyers start gathering information related to the lawsuit. 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. Its sick and I hope in the future these places will be illegal and I will NEVER send my kids to one of these places. Also the staff there (although there were some that I liked) were extremely rude. However, our neighbor whose son went there the following year had all good experiences. 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. My parents spent over $200,000 here before they realized I was not getting the help I needed. My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. We focus on healing the entire family. (only the higher rank kids would be allowed to do this). Although the system failed us, my peers and I have created somewhat of a little support group to cope and its helped us tremendously. The school uses research to help create an individualized treatment plan for each teen. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. Plaintiff Diamond Ranch Academy, Inc. (DRA) operates a residential youth treatment facility in Hurricane, Utah. My mind sometimes uncontrollably cradles and turns to static when I hear the same radio noise as the staff used at DR. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. 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. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. , Kinda like a prison that just focuses on external behavior. I posted this exact review several times spacing itself out several months. They lied and were mainpulative, and power tripped all the time. He reportedly began working in the TTI because his brothers have worked at various other treatment centers. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. It makes me fucking sick that this place, along with HUNDREDS of others, still exists, quietly protected under the umbrella of the state government of Utah, and that parents are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for their children to be tortured and driven insane or into obedient, soulless sociopaths. Anonymous (Tales from the Black School), 7/8/2013: (SURVIVOR) DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO DISCOVERY RANCH IF YOU CARE ABOUT THEM! 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. Its heart wrenching to see how many families were deeply financially destroyed as well as personal connections being permanently damaged. I still hear screams from my friends being restrained in the back of my mind. They strip you of everything, even contact with your own parents, and dangle it in front of you as motivation to do/act how they want. Discovery Ranch is reported by many survivors to be an extremely abusive program. I had to raise a baby cow for the slaughter to learn to deal with loss, exercise until I threw up blood, pick up cow shit every day, I could go on and on. However, in 2013 DR moved their girls program to Cedar City, UT and began makerting theis program as Discovery Ranch For Girls. They often cause way more harm than good. Discovery Ranch is accredited by the, Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), , but it is important to note that neither the United States Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NAAS as an accrediting agency for institutions of higher education. They would restrain kids to the point the kids arm was almost broken. Terrible place dont send your child here. agolden@skyhinews.com. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. When the program opened, it housed both boys and girls on the same campus, but kept them completely seperate in different parts of the campus. Its not just the kids too, sometimes there are good staff, but whenever there is that person never lasts long at all, they all literally quit because this place is so horrible. While at Discovery Ranch, your son will participate in a variety of outdoor activities. 10 Discovery Ranch for Girls reviews. (only the higher rank kids would be allowed to do this). Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. Sanoy (Google Reviews). I stopped feeling emotions and didnt for two years. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. He will have the support of well-trained and experienced clinical, academic, residential, and experiential staff members. I was told Control-freak parents often produce children who feel guilty and disloyal , fearing theyll disappoint their over-bearing parents. I couldnt believe he was blaming me for thisafter we could no longer afford to send her there she was abruptly released and told good luck. Discovery ranch uses a merit system to punish kids. 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. 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. A kid was put in isolation for about 4 weeks before being moved to a different treatment center. My brother was at the Ranch over a decade ago. John (Yelp), 10/28/2019: (SURVIVOR) There are plenty of articles that prove why Discovery Ranch is dangerous for the mental development of children. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. Yes, we have an amazing ranch!! Basically non-existent education. The facility in Utah is run like a prison. The staff often used abusive behaviors and were very rude to us. They dont want to discuss whats actually wrong. Your son will have the opportunity to build the strength and resilience he needs to thrive at home. The schooling they provide is a joke. Discovery is the legal term used to describe the different processes that require parties in a lawsuit to exchange information that each side possesses. We can help your family. They dont give the children any hope of getting out whatsoever. Regardless of what they were there for, NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE TREATED AS INHUMANELY AS CHILDREN SUCH AS MYSELF WERE. DISCOVERY RANCH - 20 Photos & 27 Reviews - 1308 S 1600th W, Mapleton, UT - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Discovery Ranch 27 reviews Unclaimed Counseling & Mental Health Edit Write a review Add photo Save Photos & videos See all 20 photos Add photo Location & Hours 1308 S 1600th W Mapleton, UT 84664 Get directions Edit business info My brother noted some of the staff was wonderful and he used their tips to get through challenges after his father died (my Moms 1st husband). 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. Im scared to mention my real name because Discovery Ranchs aftercare program still controls my life. No one deserves what they really do to people. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. . Although you move on and mature, its a wound that never fully heals and cuts deep. We do all this so that you can know your son is safe with us. It is degrading and disrespectful and I will forever hate this program as they manipulate people into spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to not help there kids. 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. I attended Discovery Ranch in Mapleton Utah from November 18th 2015 to May 15th 2015. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. This merit system was easy for some kids to abuse, in one circumstance during my stay, a child was repeatedly raped, and was threatened with the merit system to get him to keep quiet. Its another long, tough, painful battle after you leave DR and I havent known one other person who didnt suffer after getting out. But I fucking wasnt. 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. ! , A family member of mine attended this school so everything I have heard is 2nd hand. When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. In addition, survivors have reported that on the off-chance that they are able to inform their parents of abuse, their parents are manipulated by DR into believing that their child is lying and being manipulative in an attempt to be pulled from the program. These programs are money makers. sacramento obituaries 2021; apartments on aldine mail route My Mom says she wishes she had heard of that school at the time. There is overmedicating (including putting kids to sleep for doing nothing wrong. Sure, we said all the things our parents wanted to hear once we got out, it was certainly drilled into us every single day, but that faded into a deep anger/depression that raised months, sometimes even years later, & you find yourself in worse condition than you were before entering DR; battling a demon 98% of people will never know. I highly suggest people look it up, one of the most disgusting things Ive ever read in my life: . The ranch has the best of both worlds: a small-town atmosphere with access to world-class skiing, outdoor activities, surrounded by beautiful mountains, and close to two major universities and hospitals. 2:14-CV-751-TC. When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. "Defendant White took the minor child on a hunting trip where he gave him alcohol . They are very abusive and they will lie to you. 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. Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. The entire facility is designed to create a rich therapeutic and healing environment. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. 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. It is run like a prison. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. 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 family says in the lawsuit. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. Im happy to say that she is leading a normal life and leaving DR was the best thing that happened. , I try to think positively about it but honestly this shithole gave me PTSD. There was never any you can do it it was you better do it or youre going to be put on mc and never get out of here. I cannot even put into words the pain I feel even today when my experience gets brought up or when I read about other kids that are STILL suffering from having to go through this program. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. They left me more broken than they found me. , Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. The kids come out shell shocked, traumatized and fearful. Michele (Yelp), 2012: (PARENT) As a father I was treated poorly. Discovery Ranch has been a NATSAP member since 2005. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. We believe that teens are more than their diagnosis. Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? able to inform their parents of abuse, their parents are manipulated by DR into believing that their child is lying and being manipulative in an attempt to be pulled from the program. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. the villa pacific palisades, ca. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. Leslie Glies worked as the Residential Director of Discovery Ranch. Discovery Ranch is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), but it is important to note that neither the United States Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NAAS as an accrediting agency for institutions of higher education. The location grew in popularity after rumors swirled that the land . because Utah has a natural landscape that is second to none. 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. After essentially being re-traumatized after remembering all this, I recently went on a five day bender started Wednesday where I got high and or drunk every waking moment, which culminated with me waking up on my bathroom floor on Monday morning covered in blood and vomit next to two empty bottles of wine and Xanax spilled across the floor with a five page suicide note on my computer that Id written in a blackout. Feel free to ask anything about my stay I'm an open book. He will have opportunities for growth through our experiential campus, by developing new skills and interests. 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. My parents sent me there because I was depressed, doing poorly in school instead of getting straight As, got caught shoplifting a pack of gum from 7-11, spent too much time on the computer, and was too angry and defiant. Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. When Jack Stuef found a chest of gold and jewels in a Wyoming forest last year, he felt giddy. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself. NAAS is an organization that has accredited many notoriously abusive behavior-modification programs, including many WWASP programs. The teenagers at Discovery Ranch as forced to adhere to a strict set of rules at all time. Its another long, tough, painful battle after you leave DR and I havent known one other person who didnt suffer after getting out. You have tried community resources or other programs. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. 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. My cousin went to a place 2 years ago called Shortridge Academy and had a much better experience there. June 27, 2022; how to get infinite lingots in duolingo; chegg payment options; discovery ranch lawsuit . The ranch horse manager Jerry put a phone in my face showing horses having sex. However, the abuse overshadowed it. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. After discovery ranch I couldnt even talk to my parents for months because of the trauma it caused me. 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: Discovery ranch seems to actively try to remove as many negative reviews as they can, many were mine being removed over and over. Staff unresponsive, administration unresponsive and kept to company line to detriment of my son. We also understand that every teen and every family is unique. Regardless of what they were there for, NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE TREATED AS INHUMANELY AS CHILDREN SUCH AS MYSELF WERE. The website is misleading. My parents spent over $200,000 here before they realized I was not getting the help I needed. These programs are money makers. It is run like a prison. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally.

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