This is a  staff list for Bridges Boys Academy in Bend, OR

(a.k.a. Bridges Academy)

(we are working to acquire the complete records for ALL years)

 

THIS PROGRAM APPEARS TO BE CLOSED.

 

We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at the Bridges Boys Academy.  For information on your rights and how to take action, visit www.heal-online.org/blowthewhistle.htm.  If you were fired or forced to resign because you opposed any illegal and/or unethical practices at Bridges Boys Academy, you have the right to take action. 

 

If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Bridges Boys Academy, please contact [email protected] if you remember the long-term employees and from which years.  This will help!   Also, if you recognize any of these staff as having worked at another program, please send in any information about their past or present employment at other facilities and/or cults.

 

 

Please don’t place your loved one in Bridges Boys Academy and rescue them if they are there now.

 

Name

Unit/Position

 Additional Information
Joan McComber Executive Director As one of the founders of Bridges Academy, Joan has been with the School since its inception in the Fall of 1997. Just prior to helping start Bridges Academy, Joan worked as a field/family therapist at SageWalk, The Wilderness School. (SageWalk was closed by Oregon officials following a death at the program.)  McComber is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Kelley Jones (male) Program Director Jones is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Maureen Bidasolo Admissions/Intake Bidasolo may no longer be working for this program.**  Bidasolo is a licensed registered nurse in Oregon and has been since 1997.  Source: http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx
Paige Tapia Support Services Paige is a Utah native, but has lived in Oregon most of her life and has three grown children.  Tapia is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Archie Hamilton Mentor No further info is available on this staff.*  Hamilton is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Mark Morris Medication Manager Mark joined Bridges Academy as a mentor in 2002. Mark has more than eight years experience working with at-risk youth in various capacities. Prior to joining Bridges Academy, Mark worked at the Eastern Oregon Youth Correctional facility and Kirkland Institute.  How is he qualified to administer or manage medication?  Morris may no longer be working for the program.**  Morris is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Eric Jacobs-Nicholls Case Manager Eric has been with Bridges Academy for many years, not only as a mentor, but as a former student as well.  No college degree or training other than having been through the program.  Jacobs-Nicholls is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Glenn Murray Night Staff Murray may no longer be working for the program.**  Murray is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Matthew Ray Mentor Ray may no longer be working for the program.**  Ray is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Peter Lear Counselor (Addiction Studies/Research) No further info is available on this staff.*  Lear may no longer be working for the program.**  Lear was formerly licensed as an MSW (Social Worker).  But, his license expired in November, 2012 and has not been renewed.  Source: https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/detail.asp?num=18303  Lear is not currently licensed in Oregon.
Scott Getty School Nurse Joined the program in February, 2010.  There are two William Scott Gettys licensed as nurses in Oregon.  HEAL requires Scott Getty's full name or license number to complete verification.  Source: http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx  
Brian Hodges Night Staff There is a Brian Neil Hodges (may be a different person) who has a limited DO Postgraduate license.  If it is the same person, he is not licensed to practice medicine nor to work for any facility other than a licensed training facility.  If it is a different person, he holds no licenses whatsoever.  Source: https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx
Matthew Hogstad Night Staff Hogstad is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Ryan Massey Mentor Formerly worked at "unnamed" programs in Utah and Arizona.  Massey is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Scott Jones Night Staff Jones is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional.  Sources: http://obpe.alcsoftware.com/liclookup.php, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/BLSW/LicenseeLookup/index.asp, http://osbn.oregon.gov/OSBNVerification/Default.aspx, https://techmedweb.omb.state.or.us/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationRequest.aspx, https://hrlb.oregon.gov/oblpct/licenseelookup/index.asp
Leslie Preston Business Svc. Mgr. HEAL chose not to do a licensure verification check on Preston as business managers/office staff generally are not required nor expected to hold special licensure.
     
     
     
     
*(Bridges Boys Academy, like many other programs in this industry, keeps a "tight lid" on any specific information regarding their staff, qualifications, and practices.  Please contact us with the names of any staff of which you have firsthand knowledge or experience.  Thank you for your help.)

**The staff-member listed no longer appears to be associated with the program based on the program's public information.
HEAL has chosen not to review the application made available online for Bridges Boys Academy at this time.  It is incomplete and fails to include the complete enrollment agreement, liability release information, and other criteria by which HEAL can determine the ethical and/or legal legitimacy of the program.  Bridges Boys Academy is welcome to submit the information required for such a review.  In the meantime, HEAL has some concerns based on the fact that McComber got started with Aspen Education Group.  Aspen Education Group's contracts are unethical and very likely illegal.  See www.heal-online.org/aspenranch.htm for example.  Parents may wish to compare the actual enrollment and contract for services from Bridges Boys Academy to those of Aspen Education Group programs.  If there are abundant similarities, parents should avoid Bridges Boys Academy. 

HEAL has received 6 reports alleging abuse and fraud at this facility.  Three from parents and three from former residents.  The allegations include psychological abuse, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, parental alienation, and more.  

It is important for families to understand that Bridges Boys Academy is not licensed as a drug/alcohol treatment program in Oregon.  Bridges Boys Academy appears to only be registered as a private school in Oregon.  It appears that registration with the state is optional for private schools and this suggests that there is no oversight or very limited oversight and regulation of such schools in Oregon.  Programs that are not properly licensed are a serious concern and a lack of proper licensing is a warning sign of an abusive program.
On August 17th, 2013, HEAL representatives contacted the Department of Human Services in Oregon regarding concerns of lack of proper licensure and lack of qualified staff at this facility.  Bridges is licensed as a therapeutic boarding school (not a drug/alcohol rehab) according to DHS.  HEAL will update as soon as more information becomes available.
External Link: https://plus.google.com/110238562798049069236/about?gl=us&hl=en
THE TRUTH:

All segregated congregate care providers, including those on our watch-list, are welcome to contact us to correct any information or provide additional data that may assist with delivering the whole truth to the public.  We've found in many cases where this offer has been abused or resulted in revealing additional basis for our concerns. For some examples see: http://www.heal-online.org/tcfl.htm,  http://www.heal-online.org/bolthouse.htm and http://www.heal-online.org/abundant2.htm.  Now, we are willing to look at the facts and may have questions or require documentation backing up any claims.  We do verify licensing, academic backgrounds, and other qualifications when investigating and researching programs on our watch-list to assist consumers seeking additional information on such programs or victims requiring assistance with getting corroborating evidence of their claims.  We do that in order to make sure the information we provide is accurate and verified and cite our sources.  In the event any information we've posted is in error, we're happy to make a correction.  And, for information on how such requests are handled and have been resolved historically, see: http://www.heal-online.org/requests.htm. 

HEAL does not support segregated congregate care for many reasons which include that many such facilities are abusive, exploitative, fraudulent, and lack effective oversight often as a result of fraudulent misrepresentation coupled with the ignorance of those seeking to enroll loved ones in such facilities, programs, schools, or centers without a valid court order and involuntarily.  In the United States such involuntary placements done without a court order are apparently illegal as they either violate the Americans with Disabilities Act community integration requirement or due process rights of those involuntarily placed.  Now, in regards to parents, in the United States parents have the right to waive their own rights, but, not the rights of their minor children.  See http://www.heal-online.org/legalarguments.htm for more information.  Now, most facilities on our watch list include waivers, indemnity clauses, and sworn statements parents must sign assuring the program that the parents have the right to make the placement involuntarily and without due process in a segregated congregate care environment, however, California and federal prosecutors as well as settled law appears to suggest that is not the case.  In fact, in the David Taylor case found at http://www.heal-online.org/provocases.htm, Taylor sued Provo Canyon School and his mother as co-defendants.  His mother was found liable for 75% of the damages awarded to Taylor as a result of multiple complaints including false imprisonment, while the program was found only 25% liable because the mother owed a duty of due diligence to investigate anyone to which she would entrust care of her child and she failed to do so. 

Now, HEAL opposes segregated congregate care and we find most placements are happening illegally in the USA which if the youth understood their rights would result in unfortunate outcomes for the parents, particularly when they don't exercise good judgment and support the fraud and abuse rather than their own children when they need remedy and justice.  And, HEAL supports all victims of fraud and abuse in seeking remedies at law for any crimes or torts committed against them.  And, that's true whether or not the program or victims are in the USA. 

HEAL has a 5 point argument against segregated congregate care we'd like you to consider:

a.  Segregated care is unconstitutional and a civil rights violation.  It is only permissible if a person is unable to survive independent of an institutional environment.  For more on this, watch the HEAL Report at  https://youtu.be/C4NzhZc4P0A.  Or, see:   http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/  which includes in part:    "United States v. Florida – 1:12-cv-60460 – (S.D. Fla.) – On April 7, 2016, the United States filed an Opposition to the State of Florida’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  In the Motion, the State had asked the Court to rule, on a variety of grounds, that the United States could not recover damages for unnecessarily institutionalized children to whom the State had been deliberately indifferent."

b.  Institutionalization is always dehumanizing and coercive.  Institutionalization always harms the institutionalized and deprives them of protected civil rights.  Dr. David Straker, Psychiatry Professor at Columbia University's School of Medicine (Ivy League) explains this in detail at http://changingminds.org/disciplines/sociology/articles/institutionalization.htm.  "Many institutions, from prisons to monasteries to asylums, deliberately want to control and manage their inmates such that they conform and do not cause problems. Even in less harsh environments, many of the institutionalization methods may be found, albeit in more moderated form (although the psychological effect can be equally devastating)."  (See website linked in this paragraph for more info.)

c.  Institutionalization is not in the best interest of children.  Institutions are not ever better for a child than living with a loving family.  Source:   http://www.unicef.org/cambodia/12681_23295.html       

d.  Reform schools, residential treatment programs, and other segregated congregate care settings have been shown to be ineffective and harmful.  Best source on this currently is:     https://www.acgov.org/probation/documents/EndoftheReformSchoolbyVinny.doc

e. Boarding Schools, even the "good ones", result in a form of social death, isolation, and cause both anxiety and depression.  Therefore, it is clearly not in the best interest of the youth subjected to those environments.  Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jun/08/boarding-school-syndrome-joy-schaverien-review and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/11662001/The-truth-about-boarding-school-syndrome.html

Beyond the above arguments against segregated congregate care, we have reports from the NIH, Surgeon General, Yale University Studies, and much more showing the methodologies of behavior modification are damaging, harmful, and ineffective.  You can request these documents via e-mail.  In addition, for such programs offering academic services or claiming to offer diplomas, certifications, or the like, it is important to check to see if it is a diploma mill with no accredited academic services.  Please see article: "Avoiding Scams: What You Need To Know"  for important information on how to avoid education/training scams.

If you'd like to see what HEAL suggests rather than segregated congregate care (i.e. committing a crime or tort against your child if done against their will without a court order), please see articles: "Fix Your Family, Help Your Teen" and "How Would You Handle My Out of Control Teen?".

If you have a complaint against any facility, please file a complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency or your home state's attorney general.  For reporting resources see: http://www.heal-online.org/report.htm.  (Reporting guide is for USA only at this time.)
UPDATE: On February 16th, 2020, HEAL Mission Volunteers seeking to do outreach aligned with the church standards at http://www.churchofphilosophicalexploration.church/standards.htm was looking for contact info on Bridges and found the website was for sale and phone disconnected.  Based on the fact the website is gone and phone is disconnected, we've concluded it is closed.

 

 Last Updated: February 16th, 2020

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