Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. However, it is also only 10 minutes from the urban hub of Cedar City, Utah. Discovery Ranch is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), but it is important to note that neither the United States Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NAAS as an accrediting agency for institutions of higher education. discovery ranch lawsuit. (only the higher rank kids would be allowed to do this). Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. We were victims of abuse. I dont know why but when i was there I never wanted to leave. Your family is struggling. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. ! , A family member of mine attended this school so everything I have heard is 2nd hand. Basically non-existent education. Anyone is free to fact check this, and contact me with further questions [redacted]. In fact, the administration at discovery ranch intentionally delayed my high school graduation by refuting me the right to do my classes in order to keep me there longer. He said that he was abused by a staff member while there. They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. I wish I could give negitive stars! BE CAREFUL OF THEM. , This place is sickening. Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. The main issue I have with this place is that it literally fucked up my education so bad that Im 17 and still in freshman English. Reading these reviews it is obviously a place that needs to make some changes if the accusations are correct. It is run like a prison. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. He said that he was abused by a staff member while there. The men have also come up against many dangerous physical hitches in getting to the treasure. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. His step-father (my Dad) told me not to discuss it around him. UTAH RANCH LAWSUIT | UTAH RANCH LAWSUIT - A teen is filing a lawsuit (Blood sprayed on me). We earned academic accreditation through Discovery Academy, Contact one of our well-trained representatives now. I felt like i somehow deserved to be treated like this and I think a part of me knew I could never stand living in the real world after all this happened. Non-Verbal Learning Disability including High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD). I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. He also worked for a time as the Director of NATSAP. Please save your child from this place. . If you are at all struggling and/or would like to talk to someone who can relate, please do not hesitate to contact me through this post and Id be happy to exchange information so we can talk. At Discovery Ranch we understand that when your teen is in trouble, your whole family is in trouble. This will provide him with the. The lawsuit filed by the staff parents said the couple joined Eagle Ranch as staff parents in April 2020 and ended their employment in January 2022. Let us help. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. When we have the opportunity to get together, its a very special and meaningful time for all of us, we reminisce about the little funny stories that helped us get through the day during our time, we think about about all the suffering we endeared and how we survived, and we always take the time to honor our close friends that didnt and have passed. Is 'Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch' Fake or Scripted? What We Know He will have the support of well-trained and experienced clinical, academic, residential, and experiential staff members. DR also advertises their calf program heavily, where each new resident is given a baby calf to care for and raise. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. Now, other past guests on the show are coming forward with similar stories, including . However, in 2013 DR moved their girls program to Cedar City, UT and began makerting theis program as, member since 2005. I felt meaningless, worthless, like a pawn used to control my dads emotions, fishing out hundreds of thousands of dollars from him. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. . I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. I was forced to do the most humiliating and degrading things possibly conceivable; I was forced to eat a girls used tampon, lick cow shit off a girls boots, unclog a toilet with my bare hands adult male staff would masturbate to me showering, changing, and using the toilet while masturbating (keep in mind I was 15. They emotionally and mentally compromise kids for fun. I suggest seeking different options for your child. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. For example, in an employment law case, a fired employee will want to see their personnel file, and through discovery, an employer would likely be required to provide those documents. Id go on to say I have PTSD. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. This is not just a couple of resentful people. We can help your family. Each part of his daily experience will reinforce his therapeutic goals. Your child will be put in with kids that are older than their age group, that were in gangs, that are addicted to drugs, etc. Aside from the obvious prejudice and discrimination, many of these conditions are not legitimate clinical impairments, and those that are require individualized care, which this facility does not provide.. However, the abuse overshadowed it. They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. The Clinical, Academic, Residential, and Experiential departments all work together. We focus on healing the entire family. I didnt ask to see that.. The reviews on their website are COMPLETELY weeded before theyre posted. This type of environment makes reporting abuse and neglect impossible for teenagers. We were treated like we were in prison, and if we stepped out of line, we had our privileges taken away. We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as The Joint Commission and NATSAP. These programs are money makers. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. discovery ranch lawsuit - kestonrocks.com It brought everything back because I lived that experience, except for ten months and it was real. Your job as parents is to help your child, you guys are the problem not your kids. You can find much better treatment for a better price. We believe that teens are more than their diagnosis. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL! , The Troubled Teen Industry: Commodifying Disability and Capitalizing on Fear by Catherine Kushan. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. The teenagers at Discovery Ranch as forced to adhere to a strict set of rules at all time. The chidren cant even have open discussions with other inmates there for fear of being punished and losing privileges. Discovery Ranch strives to heal your family as a whole. We were victims of abuse. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. A friend of mine stabbing his arm 15+ times with a pencil. I understand that people need to help themselves and I cannot blame Discovery Ranch for my decisions but this environment definitely did not promote positive change in my life. The Famous Blind Frog Ranch: A Private Ranch In Montana That Is Home To Get Confidential Help Today, Call Us Anytime, Internationally-recognized Residential Treatment Center for Teen Boys Ages 13-18 Located in Utah, Top Residential Treatment Center For Teens, Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based. Your Participation Is Key To Success Find out more about the assessment. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. The main issue I have with this place is that it literally fucked up my education so bad that Im 17 and still in freshman English. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. After discovery ranch I couldnt even talk to my parents for months because of the trauma it caused me. Im in therapy, on medication, have been to three AA meetings in the past three days, and just feel like I am out of options and suicide or getting constantly fucked up is my only option at this point. Discovery Ranch a Utah corporation doing business as Discovery Ranch, Discovery Connections Attorney/Law Firm Details Plaintiff Attorneys Kathryn J. Steffey Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Clayton H. Preece Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Court Documents My brother was at the Ranch over a decade ago. John (Yelp), 10/28/2019: (SURVIVOR) There are plenty of articles that prove why Discovery Ranch is dangerous for the mental development of children. We will not share your information. Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. If they mention these sorts of things to parents (over heavily monitored phone calls and letters in the mail), contact between student and parent would be cut off. Parent's lawsuit: Grand Ledge Board of Education violated FOIA law - Yahoo! And it wasn't just because he was suddenly a millionaire . The ranch horse manager Jerry put a phone in my face showing horses having sex. STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. He previously worked at the confirmedly abusive, organization. I can still hear the screams of kids being restrained and having their arms pinned behind them and blood flow cut off because they didnt follow simple orders. I am not the only victim. dont do this to your child We are all begging you. My parents (his Mom and step-father) note sending him away added to his sense of rejection started by peer abuse even though they were desperate due to his issues at home and school. behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. Allegations of abuse that have been reported by survivors include: forcing a resident to lick cow feces off another residents boots, forcing teenagers to unclog a toilet with their bare hands, adult male staff masturbating while watching underaged residents showering, changing, and using the toilet, teens being fed undercooked food and deprived of food, verbal abuse, include staff shouting and swearing at teenagers, widespread allegations of brainwashing techniques in order to force conformity, use of solitary confinement as punishment, published in 2015 by Catherine Kushan, Discovery Ranch, a treatment center located in Mapleton, Utah, provides an empirical example of how this industry rhetorically manipulates legitimate psychiatric conditions to solicit clients. My brother noted some of the staff was wonderful and he used their tips to get through challenges after his father died (my Moms 1st husband). Kids are constantly getting restrained and put on drugs to keep them under control. Listen to your child, and dont fall into the traps that programs make which lead parents to think their child is untrustworthy, a liar, manipulator, etc. Sure, we said all the things our parents wanted to hear once we got out, it was certainly drilled into us every single day, but that faded into a deep anger/depression that raised months, sometimes even years later, & you find yourself in worse condition than you were before entering DR; battling a demon 98% of people will never know. Discovery Ranch strives to heal your family as a whole. Its funny, almost all of the kids that left as a level 5 or 4 ARE DOING DRUGS AND ARE DOING WORSE AT HOME, goes to show how little the program works. It is degrading and disrespectful and I will forever hate this program as they manipulate people into spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to not help there kids. If any of you also went there shoot me a pm id like to hear about it. They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. However, your teen is still troubled and your family is still in crisis. Discovery Ranch is reported by many survivors to be an extremely abusive program. Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based residential treatment center for boys ages 13-18. We have the record and independent verification to prove it. discovery ranch lawsuit. What's the Deal With Kim and Josh's 'Homestead Rescue' Lawsuit? If you are in an urgent situation and need help call 911. If you are LGBTQ and need support, call the Trevor Project Hotline 1-866-488-7386, If you are having suicidal thoughts, call toll free 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741, If you are a child being abused or know of a child being abused call toll free 1-800-422-4453. After essentially being re-traumatized after remembering all this, I recently went on a five day bender started Wednesday where I got high and or drunk every waking moment, which culminated with me waking up on my bathroom floor on Monday morning covered in blood and vomit next to two empty bottles of wine and Xanax spilled across the floor with a five page suicide note on my computer that Id written in a blackout. In addition, your son will experience many opportunities to explore Utah. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. He will receive consistent feedback. They are there only to try and give the staff (who by the way have no training in psychology at all) an easier time. The program is affiliated with several other Ascent Company programs, such as RedCliff Ascent, Discovery Academy, Discovery Connections, and Oxbow Academy. He also worked for a time as the Director of, Teenagers at Discovery Ranch have extremely limited contact with the outside world. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. My personal experience here was horrible. As I walked away in shock he was tackled by staff.This was after I had already seen two separate suicide attempts. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. Discovery Ranch only wants to know and talk about their truth which is nothing close to reality. linus pauling vitamin c, lysine protocol. They only allow astonishing ones to pass. discovery ranch lawsuitshaun thompson elmhurst Consultation Request a Free Consultation Now. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. Formal Discovery: Gathering Evidence for Your Lawsuit | Nolo My parents spent over $200,000 here before they realized I was not getting the help I needed. I had an IEP at my old school because I cant learn that easily but the program directors convinced my parents I was too lazy to do work that I had trouble doing. My son, although he enjoyed his stay, refused to be brainwashed, and therefore got nothing therapeutical out of his stay; only resentment and anger, and he gained knowledge how to manipulate therapists to his benefit. The Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, which airs on Discovery Channel, is currently in its fifth season. They often cause way more harm than good. This website uses cookies and third party services. With the help of a REAL rehab and AA, I had achieved 14 months sober. able to inform their parents of abuse, their parents are manipulated by DR into believing that their child is lying and being manipulative in an attempt to be pulled from the program. My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. Both boys have turned out well however, my brother has trauma from the experience. The location is part of a dispute between the city and one tow truck company that filed a federal lawsuit on Dec. 2, 2020. You and your son will work to rebuild your relationship with weekly. He reportedly began working in the TTI because his brothers have worked at various other treatment centers. Diamond Ranch Acad., Inc. v. Filer - Casetext If anything, kids got worse from being here. The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. worked as the Clinical Director of Discovery Ranch. After essentially being re-traumatized after remembering all this, I recently went on a five day bender started Wednesday where I got high and or drunk every waking moment, which culminated with me waking up on my bathroom floor on Monday morning covered in blood and vomit next to two empty bottles of wine and Xanax spilled across the floor with a five page suicide note on my computer that Id written in a blackout. Youre not. We were victims of abuse. This investigative process is aptly named "discovery," because it often turns up facts and documents that were previously unknown -- to at . The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. There is not enough research of the negative effects places like DR have on a young person, people dont like to talk or hear about places like DR, the system is extremely flawed, its a corporation that works very hard to keep you there as long as possible for obvious financial reasons while hiring unqualified staff. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. My mind sometimes uncontrollably cradles and turns to static when I hear the same radio noise as the staff used at DR. Also the staff there (although there were some that I liked) were extremely rude. We were victims of abuse. The program has a maxmimum enrollment of 60 boys, and the average length of stay is reported to be around 10 months, but this can be substantially longer if the boy is deemed resistant. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys aged 13-18 with "emotional and behavioral issues." DR does not accept transgender males. 25 votes, 28 comments. Please save your child from this place. Jason (Google Reviews), 6/10/2016: (SURVIVOR) Terrible place dont send your child here. The tuition is reported to be anywhere between $6,500 to $12,000 per month. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. I had to raise a baby cow for the slaughter to learn to deal with loss, exercise until I threw up blood, pick up cow shit every day, I could go on and on. We have all suffered enough, its time to heal and create a system that works. Carebear (Yelp), 2015: (SURVIVOR) This place is horrible. If this describes your family, let us help. They would arbitrarily lock me in a tiny pitch black closet devoid of food, water, a bathroom, or human contact for days, usually because I made an inappropriate facial expression like crying or raising my eyebrows when they screamed at me that I was worthless and no one could ever love me.