Name

Unit/Position

(This review does not constitute legal advice and is for information purposes only.  If you need legal assistance, please contact an attorney.)

We have provided the entire application packet linked above and here for those who desire further contextualization.  In this review, we will be quoting from Oregon Transition Homes' documents followed by our review of those quotes.  We will not be linking to the application packet throughout the remainder of the review and advise those who desire further contextualization to open the packet in a separate window while reading through the review.

Application Packet Quotes Page 2

"Social Security Number"

"I release Oregon Transition Homes, its employees, and contractors from any and all liability resulting from our son's or daughter's participation and assume all risks in connection therewith, including known and unknown risks."

"Further, I understand that even though the program works well, results are not and cannot be guaranteed."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

The Catherine Freer family of programs does not have qualified therapists on staff and not a single qualified/licensed therapist in leadership.  Based on this alone, it should be avoided by any family seeking legitimate help. 

It is a serious concern that Oregon Transition Homes (OTH) requires the participant's social security number.  This coupled with the requirement of providing date of birth puts children enrolled at risk of misuse of the information by unscrupulous staff who may have access to the information. 

It is a serious concern that on page 2, and many pages of the application packet, OTH disclaims any responsibility or liability for any harm its practices may cause to children enrolled.  Since OTH operates without qualified staff, it has already engaged in negligence and therefore no family should enroll any child in its program.

It is no wonder that OTH does not guarantee results as it operates negligently according to even a lay review of its staff and their qualifications or lack thereof.

Application Packet Quotes Page 3

"Parents are responsible for providing clothing and personal items."

"A $300 account fee to cover incidentals (including clothing, school fees, medicine, etc.) is due at time of admission and will be re-billed if the funds in account are depleted."

"Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are responsible for costs associated with damage caused by their child to OTH provider family's property."

"Oregon Transtion Homes reserves the right to terminate enrollment at any time due to unmanageable behavior problems and/or disorders, illegal activity, uncontrollable activity, dangerous actions by the student toward self or others, unreported or previously unknown medical conditions, or any reason deemed necessary by OTH personnel."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

It is not unreasonable to require that parents provide clothing and personal items for their children. 

Oregon Transition Homes appears to use home-schooling/distance-learning until children "earn the privilege" of attending an appropriate and accredited public school.  It is a concern that OTH charges separately for school fees.  This is especially so given the extraordinary program fees (discussed below). 

OTH should be insured to cover damages associated with the business it operates.  Given the extraordinary costs associated with the program, it should carry insurance to cover any damages caused by clients that are expected given the nature of the business.  It should be an assumed risk on the part of OTH that operating an involuntary residential program for youth may result in property damage and OTH should be responsible and carry insurance to cover such business-associated damages. 

It is fine that OTH reserves the right to terminate enrollment at any time as long as the family also has the same right to remove their child from the program under the same terms and at will (as deemed necessary by the family).

Application Packet Quotes Page 4

"I/we, jointly and separately, promise to pay to the order of the Oregon Transition Homes, P.O. Box 1064 Albany, Oregon 97321, the sum of $2400 per month (or $125 per day for a short term stay) for the placement of ___________________________.  I/we agree to pay in full at the time the placement begins."

"If this agreement is turned over to an attorney or a collection agency, I/we promise to pay the Oregon Transition Homes reasonable attorney fees and/or collection agency costs, even though no suit is filed hereon.  If a suit or action is filed, the amount of such reasonable attorney fees shall be fixed by the court."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

Readers should take note that Oregon Transition Homes does not provide a physical address in any of its enrollment forms/contracts.  It is always a P.O. Box.  And, that further suggests that OTH is a scam.

The minimum cost (excluding the $300 incidentals account mentioned above) for this program for one year is $28,800 and that excludes legitimate and licensed therapeutic services and educational services.  One year of tuition and fees for a resident-student taking 15 credits per quarter (x 3 quarters) at Oregon State University is $8638.41.  That cost includes tuition, building fees, incidental fees, and health services fees.  There is an additional one-time $300 matriculation fee for those enrolling for the first-time at the University.  So, why is Oregon Transition Homes charging over three times the cost of legitimate college tuition and fees while providing no legitimate therapeutic nor educational services?  Again, HEAL believes the reason is that OTH is a scam.

It would appear to be a further scam to charge clients for collection and attorney's fees when no agency nor attorney has been hired and no suit filed. 

Application Packet Quotes Page 5

"I authorize Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy (DBA Oregon Transition Homes) to charge my credit card for services provided and to verify the billing address of my Credit Card with the issuing bank upon my signature."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

Our purpose in including the above quote is to confirm for you that Oregon Transition Homes is a Catherine Freer program and that such is stated in their own materials.  Again, Catherine Freer lacks qualified staff and no child should be placed in this program.

Application Packet Quotes Page 6

"In consideration of the services of Oregon Transition Homes, their agents, owners, officers, volunteers, participants, employees, and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf, I hereby agree to release and discharge Oregon Transition Homes Wilderness Weekend Program, on behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative, and estate as follows:"

"I acknowledge that my child's participation in outdoor adventure-based activities such as hiking, camping, climbing and whitewater river trips entails known and unanticipated risks which could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to my child, to property, or to third parties.  I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity.  Furthermore, Oregon Transition Homes guides/instructors/facilitators have difficult jobs to perform.  They seek safety, but they are not infallible.  They might be unaware of a participant's fitness or abilities.  They might misjudge the weather, the elements, or the terrain.  They may give inadequate warnings or instructions, communications technology, if used, may be unreliable, and the equipment being used might malfunction."

"I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity.  My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks."

"I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Oregon Transition Homes from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my child's participation in this activity or my use of Oregon Transition Homes' equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of Oregon Transition Homes."

"Should Oregon Transition Homes, or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs."

"I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage my child may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself.  I further certify that my child has no medical or physical conditions, which could interfere with his/her safety in this activity, or else I am willing to assume -- and bear the costs or -- all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

What services are OTH offering/providing?  They are not providing legitimate mental health services.  They are not providing qualified therapeutic staff.  They are not providing proper academic services.  So, what services, other than warehousing children and forcing them to provide uncompensated labor to benefit their "ranches" and "farms" are OTH providing?  It would reasonably appear that OTH is not providing any legitimate service that would warrant their complete avoidance of responsibility in the event their program harm's an individual or family.  But, that is what the above quoted section clearly states.  This is a serious concern.

The second paragraph eludes to the likelihood (reality) that OTH's staff is ignorant and/or unlikely to provide adequate support and guidance to ensure the safety of participants.  And, it requires families to bear the entire risk of psychological harm, physical harm, and even death in the event that OTH has failed to perform its alleged services properly.  This appears to be an unconscionable term and raises serious concerns regarding OTH. 

The parent may be participating voluntarily, but, the child is not.  This is a serious concern as the agreement in many places appears to be a conspiracy to violate the rights of the child.  OTH knows or should know this is the case and to include such obvious violations of the child's rights in its own contract exhibits such.  This raises serious concerns regarding the lack of ethical practices by OTH.  For more information on legal precedents regarding parental rights to waive their own rights, but, not the rights of their children, visit www.heal-online.org/legalarguments.htm.

OTH including that it will not be liable for its own negligent acts or failures to act is an additional unconscionable term.  This is a serious concern.

OTH appears to include the section on requiring families to cover its legal costs in the event a child is harmed or killed and the family files suit against OTH for the harm caused as a result of OTH's acts or failures to act.  This appears to be a scare-tactic to dissuade families from pursuing legal action upon realizing the contract is illusory at best and they have been scammed and their child has been harmed.  HEAL recommends any family who has been scammed or harmed by OTH contact an attorney for help.

Parents also need to understand that by subjecting your child to false imprisonment, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and/or negligent treatment, you are creating a situation in which your child can legally file suit against you for the harm's caused.  This is something you should serious consider prior to indemnifying any program who should warn parents of this possibility and obtain truly informed consent prior to accepting any child into the program. 

Application Packet Quotes Page 7

"In the event that I file a lawsuit against Oregon Transition Homes, I agree to do so solely in Linn County in the state of Oregon, and I further agree that the substantive law of the state shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict of law rules of that state.  I agree that if any portion of the agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect."

"By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my child's participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my rights to maintain a lawsuit against Oregon Transition Homes on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein."

"I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document.  I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

The judges in Linn County are elected by Linn County residents and therefore may receive financial contributions for their campaigns from local businesses such as Oregon Transition Homes/Catherine Freer.  The current judges presiding in Linn County are: Daniel R. Murphy, Thomas A. McHill, James C. Egan, DeAnn L. Novotny, Carol R. Bispham, and Carl H. Brumund.  Judge Daniel R. Murphy formerly signed agreement involving Catherine Freer and two other wilderness programs operating in Oregon.  Local courts are more likely to side with residents than non-residents and this puts families at risk.  Lawsuits should be able to be brought in any court in Oregon or any federal court.  This term raises additional concerns.

HEAL recommends you never sign away your right to file a legitimate lawsuit.  This places you and your family at an unreasonable risk of harm and loss.  Think about it.

Application Packet Quotes Page 8

"PARENT'S OR GUARDIAN'S ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION"

"(Must be completed for participants under the age of 18)"

"In consideration of _______________________(print Minor's name) ("Minor") being permitted by Oregon Transition Homes to participate in its activities and to use its equipment and facilities, I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless Oregon Transition Homes from any and all claims which are brought by, or on behalf of Minor, and which are in any way connected with such use or participation by Minor."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

HEAL has included the above pages quotes because we wish to completely make readers aware of Oregon Transition Homes' primary concern.  That concern is to cover its own a**.  The repeated releases of liability and assumption of risk forms should act as a huge red flag for any family considering enrolling their child in the program.  That coupled with the lack of qualified staff is enough for any reasonable person to avoid enrolling a child in Catherine Freer Wilderness or any of their programs.

Application Packet Quotes Page 9

"In as much as I have enrolled my son/daughter (full name)___________________________________ in the Oregon Transition Homes program (dates) _____ to _________ and understanding that the program can be an intense emotional experience for the youth and realizing that Oregon Transition Homes has temporary physical custody of ____________________ during this time, I approve and consent to the following safety procedures to ensure the well being of my child, the other participants and transportation needs."

"My/our student's personal effects and his/her person may be searched at the discretion of Oregon Transition Homes personnel for the purpose of discovering any prescribed or non-prescribed drugs or medications, any items not belonging to the student, or any weapons."

"Should my/our student run away from the supervision and control of OTH personnel during enrollment, all appropriate law enforcement or security personnel of any federal, state, county, or municipal entity shall be directed to detail and retain custody of my/our child until I/we or any OTH personnel are contacted, at which time OTH personnel may re-obtain temporary custody or control of him/her, or they may authorized continued custody by the entity until travel is arranged for his/her immediate return my my/our house."

"OTH personnel may physically restrain, control and detain my/our student for the following purposes:"

"To prevent jeopardizing his/her safety and that of others."

"To prevent him/her from hurting or jeopardizing the safety of anyone in the program."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

HEAL recommends no parent enroll any child in this program.  The word "Safety" is used very loosely by Catherine Freer and the protocol for the use of restraint (discussed below) is more than suspect and appears to violate patient safety standards.  Given that Catherine Freer does not employ qualified staff, the likelihood (and historic fact) of death occurring as a result of the misuse of restraint or physical abuse defined as restraint by Freer is a real and unacceptable risk associated with the program.

It is a violation of a child's civil rights for a school or program to subject them to strip searches.  This was decided by the Supreme Court in a recent case involving a school that strip-searched a girl because she had reportedly taken non-prescription, over-the-counter medicine at school.  For more information, see http://www.heal-online.org/privacy062609.pdf.  It is a serious concern that Catherine Freer openly admits to violating the rights of children in this manner.

What does OTH mean by "entity"?  This suggests the possible use of private security firms to track and detain children who escape from the program and it raises serious concerns.  OTH may wish to avoid contacting legitimate law enforcement agencies in order to avoid having an apprehended child report what goes on at OTH and the reason for their running away.  This is a serious concern.  In addition, the fact that a child may run away from the program suggests that the program is not voluntary for the child.  And, therefore participation in any portion of the program that is likely to cause physical or psychological harm is involuntary.  This appears to provide a basis for the child to seek legal remedy in suit against both contracting parties.

Again, the word "Safety" is used very loosely by Catherine Freer/OTH and the protocol for the use of restraint (discussed below) is more than suspect and appears to violate patient safety standards.  Given that Catherine Freer/OTH does not employ qualified staff, the likelihood (and historic fact) of death occurring as a result of the misuse of restraint or physical abuse defined as restraint by Freer/OTH is a real and unacceptable risk associated with the program.

Application Packet Quotes Page 10

"The cost of such service, including expenses for both the participant and the staff member who accompanies him/her during the period of illness and in rejoining the group, medicines and ambulance service, but excluding first aid service, shall be charged to the parent/guardian and paid by the parent/guardian."

OTH should pay for any medical care needed as a result of its own actions or failures to act.  If a child suffers from food-poisoning by eating food prepared by OTH for his/her consumption, OTH should be responsible for the costs associated with any care necessary.  If a child is improperly restrained and is injured, OTH should be responsible for the costs associated with any care necessary.  While parents should cover reasonable risks associated with any sport or activity, they should not be required to cover costs that result from OTH's acts or failures to act properly.

Application Packet Quotes Page 13

"I/we _________________, natural parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of ________________________________, grant temporary physical custody of my child to ________________ so that they may do the following:"

"Acquire and consent to any necessary medical treatment for said minor child."

"Execute in favor of any school, or school district, documents, including releases of incident to _____________________________'s education, as shall be required."

"Act as the parent of said minor child for all purposes relating to the health, education, maintenance and welfare of said child."

"I/we further consent that _____________________ have the authority to have _____________________________ in care, custody, and control."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

HEAL has included the above simply to show that the program will likely enroll your child in a public (free) school for academic credits.  This further shows that the program does not, itself, provide academic services.  And, this raises serious concerns. 

Application Packet Quotes Page 14

"No phone calls are permitted during the first two weeks of placement in a transition home.  During this time period, we encourage letter writing in order to maintain contact with your child.  After two weeks, if your child is complying with program rules and expectations, you may have weekly phone contact with your child.  Calls are not to exceed twenty minutes per week and the calls will be monitored by transition home providers...(Sunday evening are often good.)."

"If adolescents become verbally abusive or are behaving inappropriately during these conversations, they may lose their phone privileges for the following week.  If you are unable to speak with your child due to loss of phone privileges, please call and check in with the provider during the regular calling time."

"Letter writing is strongly encouraged during transition home placements.  We encourage regular written correspondence between your child and his/her family members.  All mail is mailed directly to you in order for you to screen the mail.  Transition home providers also have the right to screen mail at any time."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

It is a warning sign of an abusive program to disallow phone contact during any time of a child's enrollment.  It is a warning sign of an abusive program for staff to monitor all phone calls when they are made.  This environment does not allow a child to speak freely or report abuse to parents or authorities.  And, this is a serious concern.  For more warning signs, visit www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.

It is a warning sign of an abusive program that they utilize a level system that bars phone contact and visitation (see below) between parents and child during any time of a child's enrollment.  For more warning signs, visit www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.

It is a violation of a child's rights for the program staff to screen (censor/read) mail.  This was decided by the Federal Courts in the decision of Milonas and Rice, et al v. Provo Canyon School.  Such censoring/"screening" of a child's mail creates an additional barrier for the child to report physical and/or sexual abuse in a timely manner.  This is a serious concern. 

Application Packet Quotes Page 15

"If you believe that your child has your calling card number memorized, you may want to change it in order to minimize the likelihood of your child contacting his/her peers."

"Clothing associated with drug or gang culture is not appropriate, nor is clothing that does not fit properly.  Please send only conservative make-up and jewelry, if any.  Clothing, make-up or jewelry that is association with previous negative behaviors or images is discouraged."

"Drastic changes in hairstyle or color are not permitted during transition home placements."

"Body piercing, with the exception of one earring per ear, must be removed prior to enrollment in the program."

"Because most of the transition homes are located in remote areas, there may be additional transportation costs in some situations.  If providers travel outside of the local community to take a child to the airport or for an appointment that can't be made in the local community, parents will be responsible for the expenses involved."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

Children should be allowed to maintain contact with all friends the parents approve of from day one of the program.  This will help reduce feelings of abandonment and isolation be beneficial to the children.  A program that denies such contact with "home" is likely operating as a cult and this raises serious concerns.

Programs like OTH take a very subjective approach to what is and is not appropriate apparel and/or accessories.  Often, any clothing or accessories that represent a child's choices/self-expression will be subjectively considered associated "with previous negative behaviors".  Behavior modification programs consider all forms of self-expression to be antithetical to their purpose.  And, that is also a civil rights violation.  Please see our free e-book at www.heal-online.org/ebook.pdf for more information on why behavior modification should be avoided for the sake of our democracy.

Parents should ask what is meant by "drastic changes in hairstyle or color" and should have final say on what is "okay" and what is not.  If a parent visits their child and takes them to a beautician for a hair-styling and pays for and approves of the style the child chooses, it is not appropriate for the program to disallow it.  The parents should maintain final say on what is and is not okay for their child and their family.  Programs that demand control over parental authority operate in a cult-like way and should be avoided.

The same is true of piercings as of hairstyle choices.  Parental authority should be the final word, not the arbitrary rules of the program. 

OTH charges an extraordinary amount for providing next to nothing in regards to alleged "services".  OTH chose the location of its program and its "homes" and should cover the costs of any reasonably expected travel needs of children enrolled while enrolled.  This is a minor concern.

Application Packet Quotes Page 16

"Visits depend upon appropriate behavior and compliance with house rules and program expectations.  Visits are considered after your child has been in the program for at least thirty days."

"Please consult with the program director to finalizing visitation plans."

"Please do not let children engage in activities during visits that are not allowed in the program (i.e. calling friends, listening to inappropriate music, smoking, spending unsupervised time, etc.)."

"Home visits will be discouraged until your child appears to be making progress on his./her goals and developing the skills to make the home visit successful.  We do not recommend a home visit unless a high level of structure and adult supervision can be provided.  Home visits do not occur until a child has been in the program for at least 45 days."

"It is a good idea to maintain the rules and expectations of the program during the visits."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

Programs that do not allow for regular (minimally weekly) visits in person between parents and their children are often abusive.  Basing visits on a privilege/consequence system is not supportive of family unity and is a warning sign of an abusive program.  See www.heal-online.org/warn.htm for more information.

We included the second sentence above as an example of poor grammar in the program documents.  If you've been reading through this in entirety, you've likely caught a few others.  We did not mention those.  But, we wanted to let you know that we see them too.

Parents should ask whether or not the program allows children to use the toilet and shower without being watched by staff.  Many programs do watch children use the toilet and shower.  And, this is humiliating.  Some program staff at other programs have also recently been in trouble for making child pornography.  So, not allowing for "unsupervised time" is a little unclear.  In addition, all adolescents need some private time to reflect.  It is not appropriate to constantly "supervise" children at this stage of development and can cause lasting psychological damage.  This is a serious concern.

If you think the rules and expectations of the program are too strict and something you will not or would not enforce at home, then you shouldn't enroll your child in the program.  Think about it.

Application Packet Quotes Page 17

"Parental Expectations"

"Please respect and support the guidelines and rules of the program."

"Please support and reinforce the efforts of the program staff and providers, and be involved in the process."

"Please commit to agreed upon calling schedule with your child, and adhere to the 20 minute phone call rule.  Calling at the regularly scheduled time is very important to your child."

"In order to maximize the benefits of placing your child in the program, we need your support as well."

"At the same time, please be supportive of new or different strategies or techniques that may be used in the program."

"Please be open to feedback and new ideas."

"Please understand that the rules and guidelines of the program are based on experience providing quality care for children, and on proven techniques that are effective.  A great deal of thought has gone into the design of the program, and there are reasons behind the rules and expectations."

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

HEAL wonders how OTH addresses questions and concerns regarding their practices.  It is very apparent that they require respect (obedience), support, reinforcement, and "open-mindedness", regarding their strange behavior modification methods, from parents.  And, there use of a cult buzzword "feedback" and "new ideas" appear to suggest practices that fall outside of accepted therapeutic practices.  These requirements are similar to other warning signs of an abusive program on our warning signs list at www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.  And, these policies do raise some serious concerns.

The final statement does not state whether the quality care provided is poor or excellent.  And, this type of ambiguity is common in these programs and the language they use.  Please demand programs be a specific as possible with you regarding their methods, program details, and expert basis for methods used (i.e. Jung, Freud, Skinner, Perl, Maslow, Breggin, Singer, etc.).  We have found most programs will not identify the theoretical basis of their methods due to lack of qualification/education of program leadership and/or concern regarding the current professional acceptance and/or rejection of the theory/theories used in their methodology.  This is a serious concern as well.

Application Packet Quotes Pages 18-19

"What to Bring"

"Musical instruments (with prior approval from the program)"

"Conservative make-up"

"Conservative jewelry"

"If the participant will be living in a ranch setting, he/she will need clothing that is appropriate for outside activities and ranch chores (jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, Etc.).  Do not bring clothing associated with drug, gang, or punk culture."

"Please bring a pair of flip flops or house shoes and a pair of shorts or sweats to wear in the house."

"What NOT to bring"

"CDs, stereo systems, personal stereos"

"Inappropriate music with references to drug use, sexual activity, punk or gang culture.  Music is a privilege that is earned over time and must be approved by both parents and the OTH providers"

"Clothing or other items related or referring to drug use, gang culture, or punk culture or with inappropriate or offensive images of writing"

"Televisions"

"Cell phones or telephones"

"Inappropriate or excessive make-up (dark eyeliner, eyeshadow, or lipstick)"

HEAL's Questions/Concerns

If a child is learning or a practiced musician on a specific instrument, this is a skill that requires continued practice.  Programs should provide continued music lessons for any child who requires them to maintain current ability.

What is "conservative jewelry"?  What is "conservative make-up"?  Some programs consider the Star of David to be an occult symbol and therefore not allowed.  In the "what not to bring" section, dark eyeliner, eye shadow, and lipstick are disallowed.  Again, if parents approve of specific make-up or wish for their child to have a crucifix, Star of David, or some other symbol representing their family's faith, this should be allowed.  The only warning regarding sending jewelry or watches is that such seem to be stolen/"misplaced"/confiscated by staff at time of intake at many programs. 

Are the children paid for the free labor the provide to Oregon ranchers operating these "homes"?  If not, it is likely a violation of child labor laws and should be investigated.

Survivors of abusive programs have reported an aversion to flip flops after being in a program.  This may or may not be an additional concern.

Music bonds generations and communities.  Some think that music is the language of Angels/God.  Music should not be a privilege.  It should be provided to all children to provide comfort and inspiration. 

Some programs consider the Nike brand to be offensive because it is associated with a Greek Goddess with that name.  Parents should thoroughly review any policies that may be unreasonable and not enroll children in an authoritarian cult masquerading as a treatment program.

Does the program provide television?  Do the children have the opportunity to keep updated on current events?  This is a serious concern as a denial of access to current events is also a cult-practice. 

We have addressed the issues regarding the phone privilege rules above.   We will not be repeating them here.

Parents should retain authority over what their child can and cannot wear as a form of self-expression and this includes make-up and jewelry.  This is a minor concern.

Based on the review of the application packet, history of abuse/death, and lack of qualified staff, we recommend against enrolling any child in this program and that parents remove children currently enrolled.