This is a staff list for Q & A Associates in Davis, WV
(aka Applewood Transitions, The Journey, Cabin Mountain Living Center)
(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 Q & A Associates. 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 Q & A Associates, you have the right to take action.
If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Q & A Associates, 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.
HEAL recommends against placing anyone at this facility and that you rescue any loved one currently enrolled.
|
Name |
Unit/Position |
Additional Information |
| Angie Shockley | Owner/Founder |
Regarding two recent deaths at this facility, Shockley said: "Shockley said
the risk of death, whether by accident, homicide or suicide, comes with the
territory of working with an at-risk population. “These kinds of things are
going to happen,” she said. “I have to accept that as part of what I do here —
there’s going to be another young person die.” See article below for
more details. Formerly the Director of notoriously abusive and now closed Alldredge Academy. Shockley is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Shockley is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Shockley is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Shockley is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Shockley is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Shockley is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/Results?LicenseNumber=&FirstName=&LastName=Shockley Also reportedly works for Deerfield Restaurant, a program business. Shockley also reportedly worked for Eckerd Youth Alternatives. |
| Keith Bishop | Director | Bishop is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Bishop is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Bishop is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Bishop is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Bishop is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Bishop is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ Formerly worked for the now closed Alldredge Academy. |
| (Robert) Mark Shockley | Cabin Mtn Living Director |
Shockley is
a licensed Clinical Social Worker in WV. NAME: Robert M. Shockley ADDRESS: Davis, WV 26260 LICENSE NUMBER: BP00944731 LICENSE LEVEL: Graduate Social Worker STATUS: Active ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE: 9/8/2015 12:00:00 AM EXPIRATION DATE: 10/1/2017 12:00:00 AM DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN: No Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx File complaints about this professional here: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Complaints.aspx#.WCz5fxFTG1s  Source: http://www.bustedmugshots.com/south-carolina/spartanburg/robert-mark-shockley/21322371 |
| Sandy Schmiedeknecht | Life Coach |
Schmiedeknecht is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source:
http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf.
Schmiedeknecht is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV.
Source:
http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf
Schmiedeknecht is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source:
http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx
Schmiedeknecht is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source:
http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf
Schmiedeknecht is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source:
https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Schmiedeknecht is not
a licensed nurse. Source:
https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ Schmiedeknecht is one of several defendants in a lawsuit filed against Alldredge Academy and Ayne Institute. See the lawsuit here: http://www.heal-online.org/alldredgelawsuit.pdf From the suit: "Joseph continues to suffer severe pain, mental anguish, humiliation, anxiety, and stress as a result of his time at Alldredge Academy. Id. at ¶ 141. On their own behalf on behalf of Joseph, the Giannones filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint against the Alldredge Defendants,1 the Greene Defendants,2 and fifteen John Does. The complaint includes twenty-three counts, including thirteen counts against the Alldredge Defendants and eleven counts against the Greene Defendants.3 The Giannones seek to recover from the Alldredge Defendants for violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and for negligent child abuse, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, assault, battery, negligence, negligent supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy." (Page 7) From the suit: "The "Alldredge Defendants" are Alldredge Academy; Ayne Institute, LLC, an entity affiliated with Alldredge Academy; L. Jay Mitchell and Lance Wells, co-founders and owners of Alldredge; Glenn F. Bender, Alldredge’s Director of Admissions and Marketing; Michael Beswick, Alldredge’s Head of School; J. Weston White, an Alldredge employee; Ron Schwenkler, Alldredge’s Director of Village; Ray Gwilliam, Alldredge’s Director of Extended Stay; Tom Harvey and Carrie Hawkins, two Alldredge Wilderness Field Supervisors; Sandra J. Schmiedeknecht, Alldredge’s Medical Director; Patrick O’Brien, Alldredge’s Village Program Director; and four other Alldredge employees whose last names are unknown but whose given names are Stan, Sarah, Travis, and Keith. 2 The "Greene Defendants" are Nancy V. Greene, individually and trading as Options for Special Kids, and Options for Special Kids." (Page 7) Formerly worked for Eckerd Youth Alternatives as well. |
| Matt Shockley | Co-Owner/Founder | Also owner of Deerfield Restaurant and Breakfast Nook. Shockley is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Shockley is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Shockley is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Shockley is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Shockley is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Shockley is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/Results?LicenseNumber=&FirstName=&LastName=Shockley |
| Audrey Peavey | Admissions | Peavey is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Peavey is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Peavey is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Peavey is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Peavey is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Peavey is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ Formerly worked for the now closed Alldredge Academy. Peavey has also worked for NATSAP and Greenbrier Academy. |
| Scott Huffman | Admin Asst and Manager of Deerfield | Huffman is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Huffman is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Huffman is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Huffman is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Huffman is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Huffman is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ Formerly worked for the now closed Alldredge Academy. Also reportedly works for Deerfield Restaurant, a program business. |
| Jennifer E. Randall Reyes | Counselor | Randall appears to be a licensed professional counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. File complaints about Randall with the licensing board here: http://www.wvbec.org/filingacomplaint.html |
| Tammy Robbins | Residential Staff | Robbins is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Robbins is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Robbins is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Robbins is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Robbins is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Robbins is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ [HEAL NOTE: There is a Tammy Robbins (may be a different person) who has not been a licensed social worker since 2007. They were licensed from 2001-2007 and have not been licensed since. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx] Robbins also formerly worked for Eckerd Youth Alternatives (also on our watch list.) Also reportedly works for Deerfield Restaurant, a program business. |
| Merisa Berry | Staff | Berry is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Berry is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Berry is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Berry is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Berry is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Berry is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ |
| Joan Huffman | Staff | Huffman is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Huffman is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Huffman is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Huffman is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Huffman is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Huffman is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ Huffman formerly worked at the now closed Alldredge Academy. |
| Irene Crowl | Staff | Crowl is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Crowl is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Crowl is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Crowl is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Crowl is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Crowl is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ |
| Dan Sullivan | Applewood Director | Sullivan is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Sullivan is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Sullivan is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Sullivan is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Sullivan is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Sullivan is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ |
| Gerald Johnson | Staff | Johnson is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Johnson is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Johnson is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Johnson is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Johnson is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Johnson is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ |
| Selena Wiley Gill | Staff | Gill is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Gill is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Gill is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Gill is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Gill is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Gill is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ |
| Erica Peavey | Staff | Daugher of Audrey Peavey. Peavey is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Peavey is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Peavey is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Peavey is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Peavey is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Peavey is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ Peavey also reportedly works for Ironwood in ME. |
| Gary Mullenax | Staff | HEAL will check for Mullenax's licensing as soon as possible. Formerly worked for the now closed Alldredge Academy. Also reportedly works for Deerfield Restaurant, a program business. |
| Tom (last?) | Staff | HEAL requires the full and correct name of staff in order to perform professional licensing checks. |
| Michael Anderson | Staff | Michael Anderson is a Journey house staff. We previously reported he was a licensed independent clinical social worker in WV. However, we've since verified that that license belongs to another person who works at a licensed and accredited hospital who has no association with Q & A Associates. Michael Anderson of Q & A Associates is not a licensed professional in WV. Sources: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx and the licensed Michael Anderson who is not associated with Q & A Associates. |
| Sarah (last?) | Applewood Staff | HEAL requires the full and correct name of staff in order to perform professional licensing checks. |
| Marci Jones | Life Coach | Jones reportedly formerly worked for Eckerd Youth Alternatives. Jones is not a licensed counselor in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LPC_weblist_4.22.2016.pdf. Jones is not a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in WV. Source: http://www.wvbec.org/images/LMFT_Weblist_2.26.2016.pdf Jones is not a licensed Social Worker in WV. Source: http://www.wvsocialworkboard.org/Licensure/LicenseVerification.aspx Jones is not a licensed Psychologist in WV. Source: http://www.wvpsychbd.org/2016-4-14%20Verification%20of%20Licensure.pdf Jones is not a licensed medical professional/doctor. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/results.asp Jones is not a licensed nurse. Source: https://apps.wv.gov/Nursing/RNSearch/ Also reportedly works for Deerfield Restaurant, a program business. |
| Cyrus (last ?) | Staff | HEAL requires the full and correct name of staff in order to perform professional licensing checks. |
| Tiffany (last?) | Staff | HEAL requires the full and correct name of staff in order to perform professional licensing checks. |
| Rich (Last?) | Staff | |
| Lou (last?) | Staff | |
| Chad | Staff | |
| Stacey Publicki | Staff | |
| Julie Berry | Staff | Big Johns family fixins restaurant manager-100% collludes with Q&A Associates-is cousins with Angie Shockley and sisters with Merisa Berry staff member. |
| Sarah Fletcher | Staff | Formerly worked for the now closed Alldredge Academy. |
| Tom Hardy | Staff | |
| Nora Faunce | Staff | |
| Burt (last?) | Staff | |
| Curtis (last?) | Staff | |
| Jennifer Walker | Staff | Reportedly also now has holistic chiropractor office in Thomas, WV |
| Bradley Carrol | Staff | |
| Jennifer Randall | Staff | Formerly worked for the now closed Alldredge Academy. |
| Tom Harvey | Staff | Formerly worked for the now closed Alldredge Academy. |
| Jamie Ball | Staff | |
| Anne Marie Ramsey | Staff | Former staff, reportedly deceased. |
| Sarah Smith | Staff/Pharmacist | Reportedly the daughter of Angie Shockley. |
| Stephen (last?) | Staff | Also reportedly works for Deerfield Restaurant, a program business. |
| Weston White | Director of Program Development | White helped launch the now closed Alldredge Academy and also used to work for SUWS (School of Urban and Wilderness Survival). |
| Elizabeth Trefzger | Psychiatrist | Trefzger is a licensed medical doctor in Virginia and has been since 1991. Source: https://dhp.virginiainteractive.org/Lookup/Detail/0101046704 Trefzger is not licensed to practice medicine in WV. Source: https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search/index.asp |
| Jake Bello | Staff | |
| (Q & A Associates, 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.) | ||
| This program does not include the complete enrollment agreement or program details online. We do have a copy of the admissions packet. HEAL is investigating. | ||
| HEAL has received multiple complaints of death, alleged abuse, and alleged forced labor/slavery at Q & A Associates. | ||
|
Monday, February 8, 2016 Two deaths reported at WV young-adult transitional living program By Erin Beck, Staff Writer In recent weeks, two young men have died of self-inflicted injuries at a Tucker County facility that markets itself as appropriate for those who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled. On Dec. 21, staff members at Q&A Associates found a 19-year-old man dead in a barn at the group’s facility. In an unattended-death report obtained from Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Ray LaMora through a Freedom of Information Act request, Q&A staff member Keith Bishop said he heard other clients yell for help around 2:30 p.m., just before the body was discovered. Bishop wrote that Irene Crowl, another staff member, told him she couldn’t find the client at 2:15 p.m. Crowl said she told Bishop sometime between 1:15 and 2 p.m. that the client was missing. Q&A Associates’ founder Angie Shockley said she believes the man’s death was accidental, but did not dispute that it was self-inflicted. She said he showed no signs of being suicidal. In the wake of the first death, Shockley said, Q&A Associates did not plan to increase monitoring of clients, and she said she was not worried about another death occurring. “If I was, I would have to stop doing what I’m doing,” she said. She said she is passionate about her work, and believes most of the youth who participate benefit from the program. Shockley said the risk of death, whether by accident, homicide or suicide, comes with the territory of working with an at-risk population. “These kinds of things are going to happen,” she said. “I have to accept that as part of what I do here — there’s going to be another young person die.” On Jan. 24, Evan Harris, a 23-year-old who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to his family, was found dead in the same barn. “The officers found nothing on scene that would indicate this was anything other than a self-inflicted injury,” according to a statement from the Tucker County Sheriff’s Office. LaMora said last week that the unattended-death report wasn’t complete because police are waiting on information from the medical examiner. The prosecutor did say that staff members didn’t know where the client was from 2:10 until 3 p.m., the time during which Harris died. After the second death, Shockley asked an employee to return a reporter’s call and say “out of respect and duty to our families and clients, we have no comment at this time.” • • • Q&A Associates, in Canaan Valley, promises to teach young people life skills. It includes three programs for young adults: Applewood Transitions, for young women; The Journey WV, for young men; and the Cabin Mountain Living Center, for people with autism. Staff members aim to “help them discover their own personal values and goals” and give clients “the skills they need to cope with day-to-day responsibilities of adulthood in a successful and productive fashion,” according to the website. Clients pay up to $7,000 a month to participate. While the business lists specific mental illnesses it aims to help with on its website, it is not licensed with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources — nor is it required to be. “This type of facility is considered to provide community supportive services, but not behavioral health services,” DHHR spokeswoman Allison Adler said in an email. “In this way, they are not providing a program that would require licensure from [the] DHHR.” Q&A’s website says clients who are suicidal or who struggle with active desire for self-harm or severe mental illness may not be appropriate for the program. It also says young adults come to the program with a variety of mental illnesses, including depression and bipolar disorder, both of which are associated with a higher risk of suicide, and other problems, including autism, lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem. Peggy Harris, Evan Harris’ aunt, said that in literature and conversations, Q&A Associates staff members presented themselves as capable of helping Evan become more independent. “They said they had a combined 100 years of experience working with this group,” Peggy Harris said. She said her nephew was from Metairie, Louisiana. He loved animals and the outdoors. His family believes that his death was a “copycat suicide.” Peggy Harris said her nephew was “impressionable” and emotionally vulnerable, and was devastated by a recent break-up. Evan Harris had been at Q&A since November. He had difficulty regulating his emotions, his aunt said. She said her nephew had struggled all his life. “He knew that he was different, and, of course, that makes people feel very isolated,” she said. Her family hoped Evan would leave Q&A better able to cope with his anger and his insecurities, hold down a job and practice self-care strategies, and make his own decisions. His parents were too distraught to agree to an interview, Peggy Harris said: “They are just trying to make it through the day.” His aunt, speaking on behalf of the family, said they hope to see an investigation into whether Q&A should be held liable for the death, and potentially shut down. She said the family didn’t find out about the lack of state licensure until after Evan died. “We’re very concerned for the kids,” she said. “I call them kids, because that’s pretty much the level that they’re at.” LaMora said authorities are still investigating. “I really can’t say anything,” he said in an email. “I just will not close the door on anything until all the information has been gathered and is complete.” Peggy Harris said the family also submitted a consumer complaint to West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office. Curtis Johnson, spokesman for the office, said the law prohibits Attorney General’s Office staff from confirming or denying the existence of investigations. Harris recalled a conversation at a meeting she had with Q&A staff after Evan died. “At that meeting, I asked the staff what they are doing differently, since they’ve had two suicides within a month, and they said there was nothing that they would do differently,” she said. “I said, ‘So you’re saying you may have a third suicide next month,’ and they said ‘Yes,’ that there was basically nothing they could do.” Harris said she questions whether Q&A staff has the skills or the judgment to work with an at-risk population. “He was allowed to leave and go off and smoke in a barn where another kid had killed himself,” she said. “It’s just kind of like, what were they thinking?” • • • Barri Faucett, director of the suicide prevention group Prevent Suicide West Virginia, said she would work with organizations like Q&A Associates, if asked. “I can only say that every suicide is a tragedy, and our work is to provide for education, technical assistance and consultation of best-practice recommendations to anyone serving our West Virginia citizens,” Faucett said in an email. Q&A Associates has been a member program of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs since 2014, according to NATSP spokeswoman Megan Stokes. NATSP is a member association that provides guidelines but is voluntary and does not accredit groups. Stokes said some states do require licensing for young-adult programs. “That’s something that would be completely dependent on the state,” she said. Shockley said Q&A has expanded staff since 2014 and, as of January, employed two social workers, a licensed clinician, a life coach who is licensed in marriage and family counseling and two licensed professional counselors. There are no psychiatrists or psychologists on staff, she said. Clients who need to see a psychiatrist are taken to one in Winchester, Virginia, a drive of about 100 miles. Shockley served as the director of Alldredge Academy, in Davis, a private school that billed itself as a “children’s wilderness” program, from 2003 to 2006. A 14-year-old boy in that program killed himself in 2001. The day before the boy died, he had sliced his arm from wrist to elbow with a knife that Alldredge officials then returned to him. Shockley said Alldredge and Q&A are not similar. She clarified that Q&A is a young-adult transitional living program, not a children’s wilderness program. She said she did not work at Alldredge at the time of the suicide. Like Q&A, Alldredge was not subject to state regulations. After the student’s 2001 suicide, DHHR officials ordered Alldredge to close, and Alldredge officials argued that the state had no jurisdiction. Kanawha Circuit Judge Duke Bloom ruled that Alldredge could stay open but had to be overseen by the DHHR. Alldredge eventually closed, at the end of 2008, with officials at the school blaming the economic recession. Q&A opened in October 2010. The mental health conditions, such as depression, associated with suicide are treatable, and suicide is preventable. For more information, call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255(TALK). Reach Erin Beck at [email protected], 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter. - Source: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160208/two-deaths-reported-at-wv-young-adult-transitional-living-program#sthash.XiyMJ1lz.dpuf |
||
| Educational Consultants that recommend this abusive program reportedly include: Holly Hunter of Safe Passage Adolescent Services, Jeanette Spires, and Leslie Goldberg & Associates. | ||
| Lawsuit filed over suicide at Tucker County facility Erin Beck , Staff Writer June 12, 2016 Angie Shockley, founder of Q&A Associates. Shockley, her agency, and several other people were sued in federal court on Friday by the family of Evan Harris, who killed himself earlier this year while he was in the program at Q&A. The parents of a man who killed himself at a Tucker County facility earlier this year filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility on Friday. Rick and Kathy Harris, of Louisiana, allege that staff at Q&A Associates, a young adult transitional living program, knew Evan Harris was exhibiting signs of a crisis and made no efforts to prevent his death. They also allege that Q&A Associates staff members were willfully attempting to isolate the 23-year-old man from his parents to prevent them from learning of his deteriorating condition. Within a month last winter, Harris and another young man died of self-inflicted injuries at Q&A Associates, a Davis business that promises to teach young adults life skills. While Q&A markets itself as appropriate for the mentally ill, it is not required to be licensed by the state because it does not provide behavioral health services. On Dec. 21, 2015, staff members found a 19-year-old man dead in a barn. Afterward, Q&A Associates’ founder, Angie Shockley, told the Gazette-Mail she viewed the death as accidental, but did not deny it was self-inflicted. She said the man showed no signs of being suicidal. She also said Q&A Associates did not plan to increase monitoring of clients and that she was not worried about another death occurring because the risk of death comes with the territory of working with an at-risk population. On Jan. 24, Evan Harris was found dead in the same barn. The state medical examiner has ruled his death a suicide, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also says Harris was missing for hours before he was found and that there was “little or no effort” to locate him prior to the discovery. After Harris’ death, Shockley did not return calls from the Gazette-Mail. She asked an employee to call and say, “Out of respect and duty to our families and clients, we have no comment at this time.” Audrey Peavey, admissions and marketing director for Q&A, said the business had no comment on the allegations in the lawsuit. The lawsuit names Q&A Associates, Q&A staff members Angie Shockley, Keith Bishop, Matthew Shockley and Sandy Schmiedeknecht, as well as Tammy Robbins as defendants. Robbins was an educational consultant who “falsely represented that [Q&A] could offer all of the services that Evan M. Harris needed,” the lawsuit states. Throughout the complaint, David Sims, a Vienna lawyer representing the parents, argues that Harris’ death was preventable. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia on Friday. It alleges intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence in performing assessments on Harris, negligent supervision of program participants, negligent hiring of staff, negligent training of staff, negligent staffing levels, negligent program design, negligent program assessments, negligent misrepresentation of fact, intentional misrepresentation of fact, and violations of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act. Harris’ parents have said he had a low IQ and was extremely impressionable and that the first suicide likely influenced him. Harris, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, had struggled all his life and was devastated by a relationship that had recently ended. After Harris’ death, his parents told the Gazette-Mail they only found out after he died that he had began cutting himself again. Self-injury is associated with suicide. The parents also criticized Q&A staff for failing to tell them the first death was a self-inflicted injury. They said the business should have made changes after the first incident to prevent future deaths. According to the lawsuit, as early as Dec. 24, 2015, Keith Bishop received reports that Harris was cutting himself and expressing suicidal ideation. The parents have also learned of other signs Harris’ condition was worsening. According to the lawsuit, he left the facility multiple times and was struggling with a desire to drink alcohol. He was also purging and refusing to take his psychiatric medications, do chores and eat with house mates, the lawsuit alleges. “They are still struggling like it happened yesterday,” Sims said. “They are extremely distraught, as any parent would be, and that level of distraught has gotten worse since we obtained additional information from Q&A Associates about the condition of their son which was never reported to them.” When Kathy Harris resisted the staff members’ suggestion to turn off her son’s cell phone, they told her she was hindering his progress, the lawsuit states. The “Defendants were making certain that Evan M. Harris was isolated and his ability to communicate that to his parents was restricted so that they would not learn that their son was in danger of harming himself,” the lawsuit states. Harris’ parents — who were paying $9,500 a month in tuition to Q&A — have said Q&A staff had access to Harris’ 24-page psychological evaluation. “Instead of meeting the psychological needs of Evan M. Harris, as outlined in the psychological evaluation, officers and staff members watched Evan M. Harris deteriorate physically and emotionally, while assuring his parents that Evan M. Harris was ‘doing great,’” the lawsuit states. They also criticize the industry that markets itself to troubled youth. “Q&A Associates, Inc. has structured itself to avoid being regulated in the State of West Virginia, much like others in the troubled teen and young adult industry,” the lawsuit says. “In reality, the troubled teen industry is itself troubled because of the lack of regulations of entities like Q&A Associates, Inc.” Shockley served as the director of Alldredge Academy, in Davis, a private school that billed itself as a “children’s wilderness” program, from 2003 to 2006. A 14-year-old boy in that program killed himself in 2001. The day before the boy died, he had sliced his arm from wrist to elbow with a knife that Alldredge officials then returned to him. Like Q&A, Alldredge was not subject to state regulations. After the student’s 2001 suicide, DHHR officials ordered Alldredge to close, and Alldredge officials argued that the state had no jurisdiction. Kanawha Circuit Judge Duke Bloom ruled that Alldredge could stay open but had to be overseen by the DHHR. Alldredge eventually closed at the end of 2008, with officials at the school blaming the economic recession. Q&A opened in October 2010. Sims surmises there are other facilities in West Virginia avoiding regulation by the state by using outside agencies for medical and mental health services, similar to Q&A. “You learn, about them, like the Alldredge Academy, after someone dies,” he said. Reach Erin Beck at [email protected], Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, 304-348-5163, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter. - See more at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-cops-and-courts/20160612/lawsuit-filed-over-suicide-at-tucker-county-facility#sthash.bYQWc5wv.dpuf | ||
Return to www.heal-online.org/thelist.htm or top of page