Job Postings for the 2023-24 School Year. While at West Ridge, Kirsta shared a room with three girls in one of the nearly dozen multicolored brick cottages scattered throughout the 50-acre West Jordan campus. Our clinical staff consists of specialists in a wide variety of areas allowing us to match services to client needs. West Ridge Academy (known as the Utah Boys Ranch until 2005), is a youth residential treatment center based in West Jordan, Utah, USA. Our program is different than a traditional 12-step treatment program. [3] It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation under the name Children and Youth Services, Inc. The school has been an official member of the 1A Utah High School Activities Association since 2002 with the boys' varsity athletics. 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. It allows for the alcoholic/addict to deal and cope with life's challenges in the real world as they have clinical arms wrapped around them, are held to a healthy balance of accountability and take advantage of the support offered by others who are successfully recovering. Religious, ethnic and gender preferences are accommodated upon request. The Bermuda government wrote in a public statement in December 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. Boys and girls live in separately on 76 acres. We are a group of caring medical professionals who have help thousands of adolescent, adult, and older adult clients achieve their long-term recovery goals and go on to lead happy and successful lives free from the debilitating symptoms of depression. The academy states that it provides "quality clinical services, education, and experiences which promote spiritual awareness, personal accountability and change of heart. Call now and talk to one of our Admission Specialists. Kirsta, we know, was dealing with mental illness. Applied Scholastics Academy of Salt Lake City. Our horses are rescued, we use EAP to heal the animals as much as the students. Jessica can be reached at jmiller@sltrib.com. Its a big void in my heart that can never be filled, she said, Kirsta, even though she wasnt in my care, I loved her. 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. They further stated that removing a child from their home and placing them in DCFS care, like Kirsta was, is only done as a last resort., Donate to the newsroom now. SUBMIT. 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, the Board of Education approved the application. 5500 Bagley Park Rd, West Jordan, UT 84081. westridgeacademy.com TYPE: Therapeutic Schools. Our property includes two separate spacious housing campusesone for youth ages 9-12, and another for youth ages 13-18. The recording equipment for the security cameras had been unplugged since September, staff told police. Programming includes therapy, group therapy, and medication management. All rights reserved. Residential Program Day Treatment Program Group Therapy West Ridge Academy 5500 West Bagley Park Road West Jordan, UT 84081 801-282-1000 Search About Us Programs Admissions 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. Our team of professionals provide a wide variety of treatment methods aimed to help you feel better and get your life back on track. Treatment Center Details. 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. MAT is a holistic approach that can help you find long-term recovery. Away from friends, family, her culture. [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". 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. What we expect to find in the records is that this was a foreseeable event, said Thaddeus Wendt, the parents civil attorney. And we just dont see that as something that occurred here.. Our passionate, experienced staff aim to assist the recovering individual through their first year of sobriety, step by step with the ultimate goal of improving their overall success as they transition into a new way of life. Death of Bermudian Teenager at US Treatment Centre Sparks Anger & Investigations in Utah News | February 6, 2020 Local officials remain tight lipped on the death of a Bermudian teenager at West Ridge Academy in Utah, but the story first reported by Bermuda Real on Fresh TV was picked up by the Salt Lake Tribune. West Ridge Academy (known as the Utah Boys Ranch until 2005), is a youth residential treatment center based in West Jordan, Utah, USA. Follow Us. [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. only for your personal, non-commercial use. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [14] Stan and Mary Ellen Smoot, and Richard and Linda J. Eyre serve on an advisory board. The school takes in students who have fallen behind in . Connect with your inner- strength and take that first step toward healing. "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 told staff members that she felt like no one loved her, and she had been harming herself. Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy The treatment center has a gymnasium, a baseball field, and soccer field. The Salt Lake Tribune reported: Employees told police later that only a few minutes had passed, but police werent able to verify the timeline. When a staffer told her that her shower time was up one Thursday afternoon, Kirsta reportedly asked to go to the restroom. 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. Even though she wasnt in my care, I loved her. 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). Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is used to provide the students a therapeutic companion and serve as a unique tool for emotional growth and learning. Schooling and counseling are some of the benefits that teens receive while enrolled at West Ridge Academy. Kirsta Simons was sent away to a place where no one looked like her. See stories by Jessica Miller | Salt Lake Tribune, Calls for regulation hope to get a handle on troubled teen transporters. But the school allowed students 10 minutes of privacy to shower, according to a police report. I just dont understand why she was sent there. 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. All Rights Reserved, Proud Member of Utah Non-Profits Association. 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. Its a big void in my heart that can never be filled, she said, Kirsta, even though she wasnt in my care, I loved her. West Ridge Academy received nearly $850,000 from Bermuda officials. Phone. 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. Her daughter didnt know anyone in Utah and had never left Bermuda before. The legal action, filed in Salt Lake City last month, alleged that the facility owed a heightened duty of care to ensure that children in its care are kept safe. 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. Our specialties include EMDR for trauma, Family Function Therapy, Gottman Couple Therapy, CBT, CPT and DBT. However, we welcome all men who are looking to heal from emotional struggles in a safe men's-only environment. She had depression. 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. West Ridge Academy. 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. He joined the KSL.com team in 2021, after many years of reporting at the Deseret News and KSL NewsRadio before that. Students also enjoy a variety of off-campus experiences. 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. Ultimately, her taking her own life at West Ridge Academy was foreseeable. We are committed to providing access to services with extended hours, including Saturdays, and teletherapy. Add to Compare. The mothers will learn and master skills to help them overcome their challenges, connect with their child and partner, and feel back to normal.. Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. 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. Residents take part in academic recovery, build life skills, attend wellness activities, create art, and learn music. West Ridges school and counseling programs inspired me to realize that, Copyright 2021 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. Our hospital specializes in kindhearted and nurturing treatment of individuals who are struggling with depression and any other disorders that may be present. [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. Employees told police later that only a few minutes had passed, but police werent able to verify the timeline. We serve adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. 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. OP Outpatient; RES Residential; The facilitys handbook for suicide watch states: You will always be within arms length of staff, except while toileting or showering. They further stated that removing children from their home and placing them in Division of Child and Family Services care, like Kirsta was, is only done as a last resort.. 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. Information in the story may be outdated We provide lasting solutions through comprehensive mental health services for youth and their families. West Ridge Academy is located in Utah. 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. [3] It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation under the name Children and Youth Services, Inc. We are a fully licensed Outpatient Addiction Recovery Center that cares! and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. We serve individuals, couples and families across the lifespan from children age 3 to seniors to empower them to rise above life's challenges. News; Scores & Schedule; Stats; Roster; Scores & Schedules On Nov. 14, 2019, she tried to end her life. Parents sue a Utah treatment center after their daughter from Bermuda died by suicide (courtesy photo) Kirsta Simons, a 17-year-old Bermudian girl, was sent by child welfare workers to a Utah. She had suicidal ideations. Her death may have been self-inflicted, however, she was supposed to be monitored to prevent this outcome.. No one talked the way she did. What should happen to the Fairmont Southampton SDO? 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. [13] Past board members included Utah Senator Delpha Baird, West Jordan city Judge Ronald Kunz, and police chief Ken McGuire. The state has more than 100 such centers and attracts students from all over the United States, and beyond. West Ridge Academy. 801-282-1000 Campus Map Schedule a Tour Meet The Staff Therapeutic goals address personal issues and mental health issues, and will aid in helping the client gain and maintain healing interpersonal connections. 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. Kirsta Simons, 17, had been sent to West Ridge Academy in Utah by the Family Court under the care of the Department of Child and Family Services in 2019. It's confidential with no obligation. [22] There are several elderly couples called as LDS service missionaries at the academy. Kirstas mother said she hasnt received any communication or condolences from West Ridge after her daughters death, calling that lack of communication a disgrace., Where is the accountability? she said. While at West Ridge, Kirsta shared a room with three girls in one of the nearly dozen multicolored brick cottages scattered throughout the 50-acre West Jordan campus. We use the full continuum of care to walk with you through every step of your personalized recovery journey. 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. Please feel welcome to contact us with your 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. Copyright 2023 royalgazette.com. Providing optimal patient care and productive therapy for addiction, West Ridge Academy has cultivated a thorough business model which has successfully transformed many hopeless addicts to happy, functioning, and productive citizens. Pat Reavy is a longtime police and courts reporter. 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. Programming also includes individual, family, and group counseling. Treating the whole person and not just the disorder, Highland Ridge's programs are set in a nurturing environment with staff that treat patients like family. We help you resolve the effects of any physical or emotional trauma you may have experienced in your life through our qualified EMDR therapists. It exists to create an environment of real change for future generations. From here on out, you never have to go back. [29], West Ridge has been the subject of several lawsuits, including personal injury lawsuits in 2008 and 2010. Most of the feedback was positive, and individuals praised the center, treatment effectiveness, and its staff. They provide lasting solutions through comprehensive mental health services for youth and their families. The academy states that it provides "quality clinical services, education, and experiences which promote spiritual awareness, personal accountability and change of heart. Kirsta, we know, was dealing with mental illness. She died by suicide at West Ridge Academy on Nov. 14. Police reports show that Kirsta struggled while at West Ridge Academy and was on suicide watch in the days before her death. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at risk. We accept adults age 18 and older who are battling addictions to prescription painkillers, heroin, and other opioids. Copyright 2021 West Ridge Academy. Tyler Haunga Feinga, 21, of West Jordan, was charged May 4 in 3rd District Court with child abuse, a class A misdemeanor. We provide EMDR, CBT, DBT and other treatment modalities. Spencer Cox signed a new law that places more regulations on Utah's "troubled teen" centers. 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. LOSS. 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. Rediscover the person you were before trauma and addiction at Acqua Recovery. This combination is more effective than any single approach. Guitars, ukuleles, and drums are available giving our residents newfound outlets to develop exciting interests. [20], The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by William L. Hutchinson, Lowell L. Bennion and a group of primarily Salt Lake County educators in 1964. archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. 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. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. All mothers will have direct access to our qualified staff of therapists and medical personnel for medication management while attending our unique program. Our goal is to partner with clients to help them achieve their highest potential. [citation needed] It fields boys' high school teams[25] in basketball,[26] baseball[27] and soccer. Call or Email West Ridge Academy for a free consultation now - (801) 669-9115 x1124. Those were known issues. What we expect to find in the records is that this was a foreseeable event, said Thaddeus Wendt, the parents civil attorney. Sequel Youth and Family Services, which owns the St. George facility, ultimately opted to close Red Rock Canyon School last summer. This lawsuit comes as a new state law requires centers to develop suicide prevention policies. Police closed the case without taking action, and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. Soon after the second request, David O. McKay, then president of the LDS Church, donated $10,000 to support the Utah Boys Ranch.
