This is a  staff list for The ChalleNGe Academy in Lincoln/Rantoul, IL

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

 

We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at the The ChalleNGe 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 The ChalleNGe Academy, you have the right to take action. 

 

If you were harmed (family or survivor) by The ChalleNGe 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 The ChalleNGe Academy and rescue them if they are there now. 

 

Name

Unit/Position

 Additional Information
Autumn Sparling Mentor Coordinator HEAL chose not to do professional licensure checks on the ChalleNGe Academy staff because it is a military run program with trained military professionals using military techniques and training as model.  None of the staff are listed as having any mental health or medical credentials and the program itself is reportedly voluntary. 
Emory Holmes Regional Coordinator  
Selena Sangster Admin. Asst.  
Will Grundy Staff  
Autumn Byrd Regional Coordinator  
Perry Jackson Staff  
Terrianne Gause Staff  
Ronnie Lee Staff  
Darenda Curry Staff  
Terry Rasor Staff  
NO OTHER NAMES NO OTHER TITLES There is no additional staff information for this location.*
   
1. Phase I - Initial. During this phase, the cadets are rigidly controlled with the focus on team building and performance.

2. Phase II - Intermediate. The focus in this phase is on individual performance, with cadets receiving additional privileges.

3. Phase III - Final. Cadets are given additional responsibilities and privileges with a primary focus on preparing them for the Post Resident Phase and return to their communities.

Individual cadets will not move from one phase to the next. The phased Challenge period is designed for the entire class with the Director having the authority to move a class into a different phase. The staff is responsible for making recommendations.

The Resident Phase is divided into two parts; Pre-Challenge and Challenge. Of the twenty-two (22) weeks that make up the Resident Phase, the Pre-Challenge Phase occurs during the first two (2) weeks, while the Challenge Phase is the remaining twenty (20) weeks.

As directed by NGB, Pre-Challenge is the first two (2) weeks of the Resident Phase. During this period, each candidate is challenged physically and mentally with a standard curriculum designed to familiarize him/her with the program. At the end of this period, each candidate is evaluated. It is then determined as to which candidate(s) can or can not meet the Challenge requirements.

The Challenge period is week three (3) through week twenty-two (22). This period is further divided into three phases. Each phase allows the cadet to earn more privileges as a reward for appropriate behavior.

There is also an orientation phase (first 2 weeks--usually) and a "post-challenge" phase.  There are 5 total phases to this program.  The program lasts normally a total of 42 weeks. 

*(The ChalleNGe 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.)
HEAL is currently in the process of reviewing the application/enrollment materials for ChalleNGe Academy in Lincoln, IL.  In the meantime, you may wish to read our review of the Wisconsin ChalleNGe Academy's enrollment materials.  To do so, click here.
----- Original Message -----
From:
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 11:15 PM

 
My little brother who was sixteen years old attended the Lincoln Challenge Academy in Illinois. My brother was allowed to come home for a family event one weekend. I walked into his room and he tried to put a sweater on quickly. I caught a glimpse of his arms covered in bruises. The bruises were so bad you could barely see a patch of normal colored skin. It was all purple. When I asked him what happened he wouldn't tell me a word. I kept asking him did you get into a fight. After reading this I don't know what to think. The LCA does not tolerate bad behavior and my brother told me about half of the students went home in the beginning phase. The bruises were very suspicious. I don't know if the students are threatened or what happens there.

We have removed the identifying information of the party who submitted the above complaint by e-mail.  This is one of three reports we have regarding the Lincoln ChalleNGe Academy.  This e-mail and sender of the e-mail have been verified.  HEAL has received no declarations under penalty of perjury in regards to Lincoln ChalleNGe Academy.  We include the above e-mail and the articles below to inform the public regarding the basis of including ChalleNGe Academy on the HEAL watch-list(s). 

Teen’s parents settle abuse case--October 26th, 2009--GONZALES — The parents of a Prairieville teenager who allege he suffered abuse and related temporary kidney failure at a Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge facility last year have reached a $95,000 out-of-court settlement with the state of Louisiana, the teen’s attorney said.  For complete story, click here.

Roswell teacher charged in teen contact--October 14th, 2009--[Roswell, NM  Youth ChalleNGe Academy] 

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE/KBIM) - A Roswell teacher accused of making sexual advances to a teen he was mentoring is out of jail but not back at work.

James Ogas, 38, faced a judge for the first time Wednesday charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. The charges are 3rd-degree felonies.

Investigators say the alleged contact happened inside the automotive shop at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell where Ogas is a part-time automotive-technician teacher.

According to court documents, twice last month Ogas inappropriately touched the 17-year-old who was part of a program for troubled teens sponsored by the New Mexico National Guard.

Investigators said along with the touching, Ogas frequently wrote the teen letters, which were described as sexually suggestive.  For complete story, click here.

 

 Last Updated: March 12th, 2014

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