academy of eastern arizona
(aka Integrity House)
cedar city, ut and/or holbrook, az
Also see:
Staff List and
Background
Information
HEAL SPECIAL REPORT:
Academy of eastern arizona'S
ENROLLMENT AGREEMENT REVIEW |
HEAL has found
multiple problems with Academy of Eastern Arizona's enrollment
agreement including apparent unconscionable terms and
contradictory terms leaving us to believe that Academy of
Eastern Arizona is running a money-making scam on families in need of
assistance. We will be alternating between purple
background and/or words for HEAL critiques and questions and
a light pink with red words
for the words of Academy of Eastern Arizona in their
enrollment agreement (as was
downloaded from on October 10th, 2010
easternarizonaacademy.com). HEAL will not repeatedly
link to the enrollment agreement in full throughout this review,
and, we advise readers to scroll back and/or open the enrollment
agreement in a new window while reviewing our work for accuracy
or if additional contextualization is preferred. This is
an independent review and if you are in need of legal assistance
or advice, please
consult with an attorney. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Pages 2 & 3) "This
form is crucial in the assessment of your daughter's suitability
for enrollment in Academy of Eastern Arizona."
"Father's Name"
"Occupation"
"Date of Birth"
"Social Security #"
"Employer Name"
"Employer Address" |
HEAL has included the above to show that this program claims to
be a "girls only" facility. At this time, we have no
reason to believe this program takes boys.
The father's name
and information requested is also requested from the mother
and/or any other legal guardian. This is a lot of
personal, private information that could be used for improper
ends and isn't required by other programs in this industry.
It is a serious concern that Academy of Eastern Arizona requests
so much personal identification information from the parents. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Page 4)
"Describe your
daughter's relationship with her family"
"Has your
daughter used drugs or alcohol?" |
The "Student
History" information is both very subjective and subject to the
emotional perspective of frustrated parents as opposed to
professionals. HEAL is not including all of the questions
on the form in our review. It is a concern that the child
is not being consulted and other family members are not being
consulted regarding their opinions regarding familial
relationships and the causes of any stress in the family.
This will not provide truly accurate information for any
"assessment" the Academy of Eastern Arizona (Academy/Academy's)
could legitimately perform, if any.
Parents should
inquire as to the licensing and qualifications of Academy of
Eastern Arizona to determine if they are licensed and properly
qualified to provide drug/alcohol abuse treatment services.
It has been HEAL's experience that many programs claiming to be
drug abuse treatment facilities, are not licensed nor qualified
to provide such services and this is a serious concern. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Page 5)
"Has your daughter
demonstrated any sexually active behaviors (promiscuity or other
inappropriate behaviors)" |
If a teen is of
legal age of consent for sexual activity, parents should be
looking into appropriate sex education and information services
and not trying to prevent their young adult from exercising
their legal right. See
www.heal-online.org/teenrights.htm for more information and
resources. Parents may also benefit from reviewing our
Parenting Guide at
www.heal-online.org/parent.htm. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Pages 7-8)
"Past Inpatient
Treatment History"
"Facility Name"
"Does your
daughter take birth control pills?" |
Academy of Eastern
Arizona includes three sections for three separate treatment
facilities where the teen has previously been held. It is
a serious concern that a child would be repeatedly subjected to
an industry that's programs obviously do not work.
It is a concern that
the Academy asks specifically about birth control when all
medications a child is currently taking is to be reported on
other forms. Why does the Academy focus so much on a young
woman's reproductive rights and habits, especially at an "all
girl" program? |
Enrollment
Agreement (Page 11)
"Goal in life I
desire for my student"
"Objectives to
work toward or problems of my student" |
Parents should be
interested in their children's talents and life goals and
support all of those goals that are reasonable and legal.
It is not up to parents to decide anyone else's life goal(s).
It is up to every individual to decide his/her own life goals.
A parent who finds this desirable is suffering from mental
health issues such as controlling, domineering characteristics
that are unhealthy and often abusive. Often, the parents
need more therapy than the children when the children are
struggling.
It should be up to
professionals and the teen to determine what problems
legitimately exist and what goals should be advanced.
Again, such a question suggests a need for the parent to seek
therapy and look at their own controlling behaviors that are
causing disruption in the family. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Page 12)
"Enrollment Contract
made by, between, and among Academy of Eastern Arizona
(hereinafter the "School"), a private school with therapy
organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the
State of Arizona with its principal place of business at or near
Holbrook, and the undersigned, whether one or more "hereinafter
the "Client" or "Sponsors"), for benefit of the child or ward of
client (hereinafter the "Student"):"
"Upon the
completion of this agreement, the School agrees to review for
the admission the above named Student and promises to undertake
and provide the following services and facilities; room and
board; routine academic services and testing; all routine
therapeutic services as needed; supervised use of recreational
equipment and facilities; supervised work projects;
psychological consultation; personal amenities and haircuts."
"This agreement
will begin on the date Student is physically admitted to Academy
of Eastern Arizona, and be in effect for a period of six
months."
"All students
accepted on the condition that they will complete individual
education and treatment goals."
"The monthly rate
for services described under section 2 shall be $5,300.00 per
month to include services listed in section 2 of this contract."
"in addition to
the above payment, the Sponsor(s) agree to pay for the following
expenses incurred by the Student, which will be billed to the
Sponsor(s) monthly, as they arise; all Medical and Dental
expenses; prescribed medications; airline or other forms of
transportation (including admission and discharge travel
expenses); request for academic transcripts to be sent to more
than one facility and special academic or psychological testing
beyond that which is normally coved by the School."
"an initial
payment consisting of the enrollment fee of $2,500.00 plus the
first months tuition costs are due upon admission."
"The Sponsor is
responsible for timely payment of monthly tuition amounts and
agrees to be reimbursed by insurance."
"The rate
described under 4.a. shall be subject to annual increase."
"Sponsor(s) agree
to be financially responsible for the costs of repairing or
replacing any School property or personals, or for the
replacement of any property belonging to others which may be
located at the facility which has been damaged, defaced or
destroyed by the Student, or for any damage resulting from
injury to third person caused by the Student." |
Academy of Eastern
Arizona claims to be a private school operating in Arizona and
under Arizona law. What parents should know about
Arizona laws regarding Private Schools:
"1. There are no statutory prerequisites for establishment of a
private school in Arizona.
2. The State Board of Education has no power to regulate
private or parochial schools in Arizona.
3. There are no statutory qualifications for teachers who
teach in private schools.
4. There is no statutory minimum number of students in
order for a school to qualify as a 'private school.'"
This means that
the Academy of Eastern Arizona is not regulated by the State of
Arizona. And, this is a serious concern and suggests that
the Academy is misleading families by suggesting there are laws
and regulations in place that simply do not exist.
We included the
second segment to show the "services" covered by the $5,300.00
monthly tuition rates for this "school".
There is a
minimum stay of 6 months that is required by the program.
However, the "condition" of the agreement mentioned in the
fourth segment above shows that the program expects children to
stay until the program decides they can leave and expects
parents to "renew" the contract on a monthly basis after six
months until program approves the child's "graduation".
If the program
were to last 12 months (a year), the program costs would be a
minimum of $63,600.00 (+ enrollment fee of
$2,500.00=$66,100.00). This is more than a year's tuition
at Harvard University, including room and board in 2010.
This appears to be a total scam as there is no regulation and
the costs exceed those of one of the best universities in the
country. "Harvard
University will increase tuition next school year by 3.8
percent, the school announced yesterday, bringing the annual
cost of a Harvard education, including room and board, to
$50,724." (Source: boston.com, March 19th, 2010)
The Academy of Eastern Arizona is required to meet no
educational standards by the laws of Arizona and charges over
$10,000 more per year than Harvard. Parents should really
think about what this means for themselves and their families.
And, that minimum
of $66,100.00 does not cover additional fees for medical and
academic services that the program claims are not "routine"
services for the Academy. This is a serious concern and
families concerned about their financial future and their
child's future, should avoid being scammed by unregulated
programs like this one.
Parents should
ask how often insurance companies reject claims for payment in
covering the costs of Academy of Eastern Arizona prior to
assuming it is covered or will be covered and being stuck with a
hefty bill for services likely not rendered.
It is a concern
that the program holds the family accountable for any losses the
program suggests are caused by the child. Parents should
demand that any claims for damages of this kind be proven and
consult their child before paying anything to the program.
This is also a seemingly unconscionable clause as the program
refuses to take responsibility for items lost, stolen, or
damaged by the program staff or others that belong to the child.
(see below for more information) |
Enrollment
Agreement (Pages 13 & 14)
"An accounting of
the expenses incurred by the School while assisting the
Sponsor(s) in finding and returning the student to the School
will be made to the Sponsor(s). Sponsor(s) will be
responsible for one-half of such expenses."
"The School is
not liable financially or otherwise, for the loss, damage, or
theft of any of the student's property during their stay."
"The Sponsor(s)
also agree to pay 18% annum on any unpaid balance that becomes
over 60 days past due both during the treatment and if any
default occurs."
"The School is
not liable for any injuries, illness or other damages occurring
to the Student during the term of enrollment, including any
resulting from the Student's participating (on or off campus) in
programs or activities of the School."
"The School is
not responsible or liable for any lost, stolen or damaged
personal property of the Student during the term of enrollment,
including any resulting from the student's participating (on or
off campus) in programs or activities of the School, nor is the
School liable for any lost, stolen or damaged personal property
of the Student which is the result of actions on the part of
another Student."
"However, said
transcripts and records shall not be released until all balances
owing the School under this contract are paid in full."
"Sponsor(s) agree
to be subject to jurisdiction of Utah Courts in any dispute
between the parties of this agreement...Moreover, the parties
agree that Utah law shall govern this agreement."
"The School
reserves the right to terminate this agreement at any time upon
seven (7) days advance notice to Sponsor(s). In the event
of such termination by the School, the School shall refund any
unused portion of tuition paid."
'Sponsor(s)
retain the right to terminate the agreement at any time without
penalty provided a thirty (30) day advance notice has been given
to the facility administrator in writing. In the event
that the Sponsor(s) withdraws the student prior to the
completion of the treatment without thirty (30) days notice, the
Sponsor(s) shall pay the School one (1) month tuition for the
breach of this agreement."
"THE UNDERSIGNED
AGREE(S)-that in the event that other healthcare professional
providers, including, but not limited to other hospital(s),
furnish services to the student while in the School, the
consent(s), assignment(s), guarantee(s), and release(s), herein
above set out, apply to other providers and services."
"This agreement
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties except as
may be noted by attached addendum when appropriate." |
The Academy of
Eastern Arizona (Academy/Academy's) policy on accepting 50% of
recovery costs in the event of a runaway is a more fair policy
than the more prevalent policy in the industry of holding
parents 100% responsible for such costs. However, since
the Academy is taking on the power of attorney (see below) and
responsibility of the child while enrolled, it would be most
ethical for them to accept full liability in the event of a
runaway. This is especially true where the program model
inspires children to escape.
HEAL has included
the second segment to show that the Academy does not accept any
responsibility for loss, damage, or theft of the child's
property and expects families to bear the costs associated with
such loss or damage. This is appears to be an
unconscionable clause as it is not balanced by the program's
policy when it is responsible for such losses and damage.
(see page 11 and 12 review above)
It is unconscionable
to charge an 18% interest rate on late payments. This is
excessive and not in line with protecting one's financial
interests, but, more with profiting off the errors of others.
This is an unethical term.
It is a serious
concern that if a child is harmed by the program or program
staff that the program refuses and denies any and all
responsibility in the event of such injuries/harm.
It is a minor
concern that the program will withhold transcripts and prevent a
child's successful re-entry into public or legitimate private
schools. This shows that the Academy puts its profits over
the welfare of children in its program.
It is a concern
that the program claims to operate "near" Holbrook, formerly
operated under a different name in Cedar City, Utah and claims
in the contract that Utah law governs the contract/agreement and
shall be the venue for lawsuits. This is a concern as the
program is apparently misleading the public and families by
claiming to be governed by Arizona laws and then by Utah laws.
Which is it?
What does the
Academy mean by "unused portions"? How is the refund
amount, if any, determined?
It is a serious
concern that the program demands 30 days notice and if that is
not given that the parents pay for an additional month of the
program regardless of the parent's desire to no longer be
associated with this "school".
It is a serious
concern that if the program contracts with other programs or
providers that they expect a release waiver that covers all
possible liability to apply to such programs and services.
They are more interested in protecting their business
relationships than their clients. And, this is a serious
concern.
The contract provides for no specific provision of services
other than that which the program considers "routine". The
"routine" of Academy of Eastern Arizona is reportedly a
level-system based behavior modification program and if that is
the "routine" of their services, it is not in line with
respected and accepted educational or therapeutic services.
This is a serious concern, especially given the costs associated
with the program. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Page 15)
"POWER OF ATTORNEY"
"KNOW ALL MEN BY
THESE PRESENT, that I/we ___________the parent(s)/legal
guardian(s) ("client"), do hereby certify to Academy of Eastern
Arizona, that I/we are true and lawful attorney in-fact for
_________, ("student"), and that said student is my/our daughter
or legal ward."
"We hereby
execute this Power of Attorney for the purpose of providing
custodial care, educational, group, and milieu therapy services
in connection with Academy of Eastern Arizona."
"Without limiting
or qualifying the general Power of Attorney granted and
delegated by Client to Academy of Eastern Arizona in the
paragraph above, Client specifically grants to Academy of
Eastern Arizona and it's representatives the following powers:
"To transport the
Student from their home to the Academy of Eastern Arizona
facility and to house the Student in said facility until the
Student's completion of or departure from the Program."
"To guide and
discipline the Student as deemed necessary and reasonable by
Academy of Eastern Arizona (but not to include physical
punishment.)
"To physically
restrain the Student should he/she become a danger to
himself/herself or to anyone else, as deemed necessary by
Academy of Eastern Arizona."
"To search the
person and personal effects of the Student at any time, and
seize and confiscate any items deemed by Academy of Eastern
Arizona to be contraband or counterproductive to the Student's
successful completion of the Program." |
It is a concern that
the program promotes the "kidnapping"/"escort" approach and
provides said approach in-house. The program coming to
"spirit away" a child in the middle of the night, regardless of
intention, is causing serious trauma to the child and as an
initial experience with the program is counterproductive to
establishing a trusting and healthy relationship with the child.
This show of absolute control and force in the "kidnapping" of
the child from their home shows that this program does not care
about the mental health of children it claims to serve.
It is a concern that
the program both claims it does not use physical punishment,
while also claiming to assign "work projects" as punishment
(which is of a physical nature and depending on task can result
in permanent injury) and moreover that the program uses
"physical restraint" and violates the
child's
privacy rights by performing unnecessary strip searches and
other searches on the children. These are serious concerns
as many children have been killed in similar programs due to the
misuse of restraint. Parents have the right to waive their
own rights, but, not the rights of their minor children.
See
www.heal-online.org/legalarguments.htm for more information.
And, if you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.
This is an independent review and not intended to be used in
place of legal advice/services.
In addition, the
program uses "himself/herself" in referring to students who may
be restrained. This is where some of the confusion
regarding the students they accept comes in and why we stated at
the beginning that the program claims to be an "all girls"
program. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Page 19)
"In addition, please
send a copy of the transcript to:
High School
Programs
BYU Independent
Study
120 Morris Center
Provo, UT 84602" |
So, all educational
services are provided by BYU's "independent study" program.
So, the Academy of Eastern Arizona is not providing any
educational services, but, contracts with BYU to provide
educational services. How can this program operate
primarily as a school and not be a school at all? This is
a serious concern. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Pages 21-22)
"Please note that
the facility phone policies and privileges apply regardless."
"I/We further
give informed consent for the Student to participate in all
programs and activities of the school, including, but not
limited to, educational or therapeutic programs, work projects,
training programs, and various forms of recreation and
athletics..."
"I/We further
agree to release the School, its employees and its agent from
all liability for any injury to the student caused by any act or
omission on their part in the course of such field trips,
activities, and leaves, and to indemnify and hold harmless the
School, its medical staff, its employees and its agents from all
claims, costs and losses incurred as the result of any act of
the Student while on such field trips, activities and leaves."
I/We understand
that the use of reasonable restraint and/or confinement may be
necessary, if severity of symptoms or behaviors warrant, in
order to protect the Student from harming herself or others, or
destroying School property. Should such restraints and/or
confinement become necessary during the Student's admission.
I/We understand and agree to indemnify the School, its employees
or agents from any loss due to injury that may occur as a result
of such restraint and/or confinement." |
Like other
programs, the Academy likely limits the child's contact with the
outside world and/or includes a "communication blackout" period
during early phase(s) of the program. This is a warning
sign of an abusive facility. For more warning signs and
questions parents should ask any program they consider for their
family, see
www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.
It is unlikely
that the families are providing informed consent as most
programs in the industry do not properly explain their harmful
and ineffective methods to families. Often most of the
practices are explained in a manner that is not accurate or
truly explicative of their practices. Stating your are
providing "informed consent" and actually being informed of all
risks and practices of the program prior to signing are two
different subjects in regards to programs such as Academy of
Eastern Arizona.
It is a serious
concern that the program wishes for parents to indemnify the
program against its own wrongdoing. This is unethical and
does not show a responsible nature of those operating this
program that claims to teach something it does not exemplify in
life or action.
It is a serious
concern that the program uses restraint as was covered above.
It is also a serious concern that the program uses isolation.
Some survivors of other programs have reported being kept in
isolation (confinement) for months at a time. This is
considered torture by international human rights authorities and
is a serious concern. Parents should ask what is the
longest any child has spent in a restraint hold. Parents
should also ask what is the longest amount of time a child has
spent in "confinement" in the program and under what
circumstances are restraint and isolation commonly used to
resolve presenting issues. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Pages 25-26)
"This is intended to
assure that children are placed into licensed, safe placements
and that the state laws in the sending and receiving states are
followed. Even parent placements are regulated by this
compact agreement, unless placing directly with a relative."
"INTERSTATE
COMPACT PLACEMENT REQUEST"
"RESIDENTIAL
TREATMENT CENTER" |
HEAL believes that
Academy of Eastern Arizona is not licensed as a residential
treatment center in Arizona and solely operates as an
unregulated private school. Although, it may qualify as a
Residential Treatment Center according to
laws defining "Residential Treatment Center". Here is
how the law defines "Residential Treatment Center" in relation
to Interstate Compact Placement Request forms:
"Residential
Treatment Center:
a group care facility which provides a specific treatment
program outside the realm of a medical hospital, psychiatric
hospital or institution for the mentally retarded or mentally
ill; e.g., a residential program for the treatment of
alcohol/drug abuse. The receiving state is not obligated to
supervise this type of placement made by the sending state."
(Taken from ocfs.state.ny.us on September 20th, 2010)
So, based on the above, this contradicts the statements
made by Academy of Eastern Arizona that the state(s) will supervise and
agrees to provide such supervision by receiving/recording the ICPC form. This is a blatantly false statement as Utah/Arizona has
made no such agreement and/or no such agreement could reasonably
be implied given that the above statement that "The receiving
state is not obligated to supervise this type of placement"
openly contradicts the statement made by the Academy that the
program is effectively regulated. This is clearly not the
case.
HEAL sincerely and heartily suggests you do not place your
child in Academy of Eastern Arizona and rescue them if they are
there now. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Pages 27 & 28)
"I wish that
myself/child may participate in these activities knowing that
they are dangerous. I accept and assume all the risks of
injury (including death) to myself, child, and or property."
"In exchange for
being permitted to participate in these activities, for myself,
my heirs, guardians and legal representatives, I release and
agree not to make or bring any claim of any kind against land
owners, horses owners, instructors, animals and anyone
assisting, for any injuring (including death), to myself child
or property whether from any ones negligence or not, or any
other cause, arising out of my participation in these dangerous
activities. I also agree that if anyone makes any claims
of any injury to me (including death), or any damage to my
property, I will keep all those released by this agreement free
of any damages or costs because of those claims."
"I AM AWARE THAT
THESE ACTIVITIES CAN BE HAZARDOUS AND THAT I COULD BE SERIOUSLY
INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN
THESE ACTIVITIES WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED, AND
AGREE TO ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISKS OF BODILY INJURY, DEATH, OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE, WHETHER THOSE RISKS ARE KNOWN OR UNKNOWN." |
HEAL has already
discussed at length our concerns regarding the release and
waivers. However, we would like to point out that the
"informed consent" suggested by previous segments of the review
contradict the notion that risks are "unknown".
Regardless, the language of the above should inspire intelligent
people to avoid Academy of Eastern Arizona. |
Enrollment
Agreement (Page 30)
"CONSENT AND
AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSPORT"
"I, ___________,
the parent/guardian of________________, do hereby give my
Permission for Daniel Taylor and/or representative of Academy of
Eastern Arizona to transport my child to Academy of Eastern
Arizona located in Holbrook, Arizona via airplane and/or
automobile." |
The program claims
to operate "in or near" Holbrook throughout much of the
documentation. In addition, Integrity House operated out
of Cedar City, Utah and Academy of Eastern Arizona is a "name
change" of that program. The owners and staff of Integrity
House are the same as that of Academy of Eastern Arizona.
And, the program claims to be governed by Utah law for the
contract and by Arizona law for the school. Arizona does
not regulate private schools at all and this is another area of
concern already addressed above. The issue here is that
parents do not really know exactly where there children are
being spirited away to and/or whether their children will be in
Utah or Arizona during their stay. The educational
services (correspondence courses) are provided from BYU in
Provo, Utah and parents should find out where exactly their
children will be held once taken by Taylor or his "goons". |
Medical
Provider Forms
"North Country
Community Health Center, Inc."
"Family Healing
Center"
"1401 W. Florida,
Holbrook, AZ 86025" |
Medical services for
this program appear to be provided by the above company at the
above location. We provide this only as additional
information and to show that we did review those forms as well.
Based on all of the
above, we sincerely advise against placing any child in Academy
of Eastern Arizona and recommend families bring their children
home. |
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