The 17-year-old girl had been sent to the facility by Bermudas child welfare system. Our clinical staff consists of specialists in a wide variety of areas allowing us to match services to client needs. Why was she so far from home? her mother asked. ", The boy told police that while in that hold, "he heard a pop, resulting in his wrist being fractured. Johnita Simons said she hopes her lawsuit brings some accountability and spurs change so that nothing similar happens in the future. West Ridge Academys website notes residential treatment is for teens between nine and 18. [33], In 2021, an employee was charged with child abuse after breaking a child's wrist who was allegedly verbally acting out in class and being defiant. What we expect to find in the records is that this was a foreseeable event, said Thaddeus Wendt, the parents civil attorney. Take the first step and call our admissions or fill out the Contact a Specialist form. Kirsta was rushed to a hospital and died the next day. Spencer Cox signed a new law that places more regulations on Utah's "troubled teen" centers. The boy "was crying really hard" at the time and told Feinga "he probably broke it.". I am deeply appalled by how this matter is being handled.. I love her. Her daughter, Kirsta, was supposed to get help at West Ridge Academy. We provide lasting solutions through comprehensive mental health services for youth and their families. In the days before her death, Kirsta hadn't been sleeping in her room. Donate to the newsroom now. Kirsta, we know, was dealing with mental illness. West Ridge Academy sits on 50 acres of pristine property at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains in West Jordan, Utah. 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. [11] In response to the allegations, the State Office of Education prepared a 60-page report providing more details for the Board on the issues raised. West Ridge Academy offers hope and healing to youth and their families in mental health crisis Your youth doesn't need to struggle another minute. Our team provides residential care, individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, recreational therapy, equine therapy, academic settings, and day treatment services. By giving our students the opportunity, they can immerse themselves in treatment and develop new coping strategies while changing behavior patterns. It seems to be a zero-sum game we live by. It offers outpatient programs, medication management, day treatment, and residential treatment to teens who are struggling with mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders. 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. Regulators did find the treatment center violated one rule that a staff member who was watching the girl should not have been outside the restroom when she attempted to end her life. Sequel Youth and Family Services, which owns the St. George facility, ultimately opted to close Red Rock Canyon School last summer. West Ridge Academys website indicates the treatment team includes mental health professionals, therapists, psychiatrists, and medication managers. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax She was given an extra two minutes. Thats when she hanged herself. Man denies importing $219,000 worth of cannabis, Truck driver fined for refusing breath test, Drink drivers licences suspended for 18 months, Ships divert to Bermuda with medical emergencies, Tears and applause as Alaska Hall is renamed for longtime MP, Burt: fintech executives are not coming to Bermuda to see inside of Westgate, Protesters present 4,000 name petition against hotel SDO, Black golfers discuss the challenges of a pro golf career, Charity very open to name change, says president, OBA repeats call for Rabains resignation, Dunkley: Emergency room waiting times are unacceptable, Emergency patients forced to wait more than 27 hours for bed, Green energy giveaway set to save millions in power costs. She died by suicide at West Ridge Academy on Nov. 14. We understand overcoming addiction is not easy. This combination is more effective than any single approach. 12. [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). [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. 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. 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. And, we think, preventable.. Kirsta Simons was sent away to a place where no one looked like her. Best Rehabs Utah West Jordan (UT) West Ridge Academy. 752 were here. Police reports show that Kirsta struggled while at West Ridge Academy and was on suicide watch in the days before her death. Suite E. Salt Lake City, UT 84123. We provide immediate and lasting solutions in a caring and professional environment. 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. 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. [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). One key benefit is that it is a fraction of the cost of other programs as Renaissance Ranch Outpatient's primary goal is to aid in liberating the captive from the chains of addiction not monetary gain. This archived news story is available Our focus on family, community, and dual diagnosis sets us apart as Utah's premiere inpatient rehab center. From here on out, you never have to go back. We understand you already suffer from shame and guilt we don't add to it, we help you overcome it! She was given an extra two minutes. The Salt Lake Tribune reported: Employees told police later that only a few minutes had passed, but police werent able to verify the timeline. Employees told police later that only a few minutes had passed, but police werent able to verify the timeline. Facebook-f Twitter Soundcloud Youtube. 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. Her reporting has earned numerous awards, including a Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting in 2017. [14] Stan and Mary Ellen Smoot, and Richard and Linda J. Eyre serve on an advisory board. and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. 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. Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. West Ridge is a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth. where she died by suicide nearly two years ago. On Nov. 14, 2019, she tried to end her life. 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.. Therapy strategies comprise: Cognitive/behavioral therapy. No one talked the way she did. At our core, West Ridge Academy is an all-encompassing program designed to heal families. SUBMIT. The philosophy of New Beginnings is a multifaceted and collaborative approach based on Cognitive Behavior Therapy. The loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave five out of five stars for accommodations and amenities. [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. We treat all clients with respect and dignity, regardless of the depths or seriousness of their situation. By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's. Call us with your questions and concerns and learn how your family can become whole again. 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. 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 Connect with your inner- strength and take that first step toward healing. Investigative documents say the handbook has been updated, and the state licensing worker expressed no other concerns in documents released to The Salt Lake Tribune. But she was rushed to hospital on November 14 that year and died the following day. Follow Us. MAT combines the use of counseling and medication to address the psychological and physical aspects of addiction. Individual and Group Therapy focuses on whole and healthy recovery around mental and emotional challenges using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). We offer Residential (RTC), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to help treat a wide range of mental health struggles. We are committed to providing access to services with extended hours, including Saturdays, and teletherapy. If accommodation is required post-treatment, our male or female-only recovery homes provide the ideal transition. The path to hope and healing at West Ridge Academy is possible, and proven by many families across the world. Thats when she hanged herself. 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. Treatment Center Details. 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. Families feel it too. Thats when she hanged herself. She had suicidal ideations. [32][9] The report was also critical of school's proposed financial structure. We provide a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, exercise therapy, acupuncture and music therapy- to name a few. Please help this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. West Ridge Academy is a good place to work at, it's very rewarding to help the struggling kids and be a part of their healing process. and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. We specialize in the treatment of trauma, military and first responders. That is where hope begins. Call now and talk to one of our Admission Specialists. 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 She told staff members that she felt like no one loved her, and she had been harming herself. 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 Academys executive director did not respond to a request for comment. Inpatient services include adolescent acute and residential units, medical detox, an adult psychiatric unit, an adult substance abuse unit, and a geriatric unit. 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. We provide the highest quality and compassionate care that you can trust to each person we serve using research based proven therapies. 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. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax The Bermuda government wrote in a public statement in December 2019 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. We serve individuals, couples and families across the lifespan from children age 3 to seniors to empower them to rise above life's challenges. We want all mothers to know that what your feeling is common but not normal and it can be treatable. [13] Past board members included Utah Senator Delpha Baird, West Jordan city Judge Ronald Kunz, and police chief Ken McGuire. Jessica can be reached at jmiller@sltrib.com. We help you resolve the effects of any physical or emotional trauma you may have experienced in your life through our qualified EMDR therapists. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. 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. West Ridge Academy is located in Utah. They provide lasting solutions through comprehensive mental health services for youth and their families. The kids there have complex issues and are sent there for help. 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. Those were known issues. 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. On Nov. 14, 2019, she tried to end her life. Away from friends, family, her culture. Police say a 15-year-old boy at West Ridge Academy, 5500 W. Bagley Park Road, was being disruptive in class on Jan. 4. 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. Parents and child welfare programs put an enormous amount of trust in residential treatment centers, Feller said. 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. [6][7] On January 2, 2009, a past student of the academy, published an article alleging abuses and controversial practices at the ranch. [22] There are several elderly couples called as LDS service missionaries at the academy. No further action required, the report states. Feel free to call to discuss how we can help you or a loved one. Lawyers for Kirstas parents allege that West Ridge was negligent. 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. 5500 West Bagley Park Road West Jordan, UT 84081 801-282-1000 Search. I love her. Parents and child welfare programs put an enormous amount of trust in residential treatment centers, Feller said. [31] On October 21, 2010, the student sued West Ridge Academy in California District court, alleging negligence, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.[8]. The school takes in students who have fallen behind in . 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. The schools policies state the staffer should have been in the bathroom and maintain[ed] frequent verbal check-ins with Kirsta. We offer free 30 minute consultations to help point you in the right direction. Police closed the case without taking action, and Utah regulators didnt discipline West Ridge Academy. Editors note This story discusses suicide. Missed dearly: Kirsta with Johnita Simons (Photograph supplied) (Photograph supplied). West Ridge Academy Executive Director Bob Stubbs said Feinga has since been fired. 5500 Bagley Park Rd, West Jordan, UT 84081. westridgeacademy.com TYPE: Therapeutic Schools. Call or Email West Ridge Academy for a free consultation now - (801) 669-9115 x1124. Utah increased oversight of its troubled-teen industry. 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. 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. 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 horses are rescued, we use EAP to heal the animals as much as the students. only for your personal, non-commercial use. In-home assessments are $300, in-office assessments are $200, and outpatient sessions are $85. [24], In late 2015, an application was submitted Utah's Charter School Board. 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. 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. She was given an extra two minutes. Our team of professionals provide a wide variety of treatment methods aimed to help you feel better and get your life back on track. She had depression. But no disciplinary action was listed in documents released recently in response to a records request. Theres not a day that goes by that my heart doesnt ache. Up to date West Ridge Academy Boys Basketball schedule with recent scores. All mothers will have direct access to our qualified staff of therapists and medical personnel for medication management while attending our unique program. Earlier this year, Gov. The schools policies state the staffer should have been in the bathroom and maintain[ed] frequent verbal check-ins with Kirsta. 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. 547 W. 3900 So. [3] It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation under the name Children and Youth Services, Inc. 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. Jessica Miller is a legal affairs and criminal justice for The Salt Lake Tribune, where she has worked since 2011. Farnsworth has said previously that her facility has spent a significant amount of time reviewing policies after Kirstas death, and trained and debriefed their staff. Theres not a day that goes by that my heart doesnt ache. West Ridge Academy. West Ridge Academy 5500 West Bagley Park Road West Jordan, Utah 84081. Her death may have been self-inflicted, however, she was supposed to be monitored to prevent this outcome.. to discuss the article, but Buttars and West Ridge staff declined the invitation. 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. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at risk. The academy states that it provides "quality clinical services, education, and experiences which promote spiritual awareness, personal accountability and change of heart. This place did amazing things for my son. 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. Why not transfer Kirsta to a different place, attorney Matthew Feller questioned, if they were not equipped to help her? Johnita Simons said she hopes her lawsuit brings some accountability and spurs change so that nothing similar happens in the future. 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. Super irregular schedule makes it difficult to maintain a good sleep schedule. 43. The parents lawyers have tried to get records that might explain why Kirsta was there at all, but the lawsuit says the facility hasnt handed them over. 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. 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. She had depression. Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or any mental health crisis can call the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute 24-hour mental health crisis line on 239-1111. All rights reserved. It exists to create an environment of real change for future generations. 801-282-1000 brochure Contact A specialist Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is used to provide the students a therapeutic companion and serve as a unique tool for emotional growth and learning. The state has more than 100 such centers and attracts students from all over the United States, and beyond. Call now and talk to one of our Admission Specialists. Johnita Simons, the teenagers mother, told The Salt Lake Tribune she hoped her lawsuit would help protect other families from similar tragedies. The centers state licensed mental health professionals complete all the assessments. Even though she wasnt in my care, I loved her. 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. A ceremonial signing last month was attended by Paris Hilton, who earlier testified before Utah lawmakers about how she was abused in the 1990s at Provo Canyon School. We accept adults age 18 and older who are battling addictions to prescription painkillers, heroin, and other opioids. The loved one surveyed by Best-rehabs.com to date provided mostly positive feedback and five out of five stars for counseling options, family participation, and indicated they would recommend the center. 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. But the school allowed students 10 minutes of privacy to shower, according to a police report. 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. We serve adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Each and every day, we are guided by four very carefully chosen words - care, concern, compassion, and competence. We are a fully licensed Outpatient Addiction Recovery Center that cares! Kirsta had been in the foster care system, and Bermudian child welfare officials made the choice. At Wings Recovery for Men, we believe everything you need to thrive in life is already within you. This approach is highly effective, see testimonials from other clients on our website. Its a big void in my heart that can never be filled, she said. [citation needed] Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. 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. The facilitys handbook for suicide watch states: You will always be within arms length of staff, except while toileting or showering. 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. Our fully licensed and credentialed clinical team includes addiction certified physicians, psychologists, psychotherapists, licensed addiction counselors, recreational therapists, interventionists, and dieticians. West Ridge Academy. In 2020, West Ridge Academy was under investigation after a teen girl from Bermuda died by suicide there. 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. Taylorsville Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC) is a trusted provider of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and is located in Taylorsville, Utah. However, we welcome all men who are looking to heal from emotional struggles in a safe men's-only environment. 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. Applied Scholastics Academy of Salt Lake City. Thats my child. "[4] The facility has received criticism for past abusive practices toward residents, including facing lawsuits in 2008, 2010, and 2012 by former students. 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. They have exceptional staff from there teachers, to counselors, group home and administration, a loved one wrote in a representative review. Discover our comprehensive continuum of care programs and counseling sessions. A search warrant filed by West Jordan police further states that the boy was being "loud" and was swearing and was "acting out by interrupting the class and being defiant to staff.". The treatment team has experience helping individuals struggling with problems surrounding adoption, addiction, depression, anxiety, family problems, and other mental health disorders. Service Settings. Schooling and counseling are some of the benefits that teens receive while enrolled at West Ridge Academy. 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. Students also enjoy a variety of off-campus experiences. [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. Bennion had twice during this initial period requested funding from LDS Church to support the Ranch, but in both instances the LDS Church refused.

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