West Ridge Academy
Encyclopedia
West Ridge Academy is a youth residential treatment center
based in West Jordan, Utah
, USA. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at risk. Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. In early 2005, it opened new, separate facilities for girls and changed its name to West Ridge Academy. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation under the name Children and Youth Services, Inc. The academy states that it provides "quality clinical services, education, and experiences which promote spiritual awareness, personal accountability and change of heart."
West Ridge also provides a day program called Sunshine Solutions for underprivileged local kids, age five and up who need summer activities, positive mentors and emotional growth to help them learn how to make good decisions. The school is described in the self-study as “Christian but non-denominational.”
is composed of prominent Utah residents including Shawn Bradley
, BYU
religion instructor Sally Wyne, and LaVar Christensen
. Past board members included Utah Senator Delpha Baird, West Jordan city Judge Ronald Kunz, and police chief Ken McGuire. Stan and Mary Ellen Smoot, and Richard and Linda J. Eyre serve on an advisory board
. The current executive director is Kenneth R. Allen, who is also director of Proficio Management, a management company owned by the academy. Since their founding, they state they have helped over 25,000 teens. West Ridge is licensed by the Utah Department of Human Services. The license of West Ridge Academy is reviewed annually and the organization receives periodic visits from a licensing specialist to monitor and provide technical assistance and to insure compliance with Core and Categorical Rules of Treatment.
The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by William L. Hutchinson, Lowell L. Bennion
and a group of primarily Salt Lake County educators in 1964. The group originally purchased five acres on which to build the Ranch. Bennion had twice during this initial period requested funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to support the Ranch, but in both instances the LDS Church refused. Soon after the second request, David O. McKay
, then president of the LDS Church, donated $10,000 to support the Utah Boys Ranch. Later, leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars
became the executive director and remained so for more than fifteen years before retiring amid controversy.
and sexual abuse
. As of June 2009, the case was inactive (the status in the Utah court system is given as "notice of removal").
On April 9, 2010 a lawsuit was filed against West Ridge Academy, its board of directors, and several employees alleging medical malpractice
, lack of informed consent, negligence, negligent placement, breach of fiduciary duty, outrageous conduct inflicting emotional distress, fraud
, negligent hiring/retention, and breach of warranty. That case is still ongoing.
On January 2, 2009, Eric Norwood, a past student of the academy, published an article alleging abuses and controversial practices at the ranch. On January 9, 2009, Salt Lake City radio station KRCL
invited Buttars, current West Ridge staff, and Eric Norwood to the talk show
RadioActive! to discuss the article, but Buttars and West Ridge staff declined the invitation. On October 21, 2010 Norwood sued West Ridge Academy in California District court, alleging negligence, physical abuse
, and sexual abuse. That case is still ongoing.
The Academy professes to be nondenominational and open to all regardless of religious affiliation. However, former students and staff at the academy say that there is a connection with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS Church). The Presiding Bishop
of the LDS Church, H. David Burton
, said that the LDS Church "has been and continues to be a long-time supporter" of West Ridge Academy.
Residential treatment center
A residential treatment center , sometimes called a rehab, is a live-in health care facility providing therapy for substance abuse, mental illness, or other behavioral problems...
based in West Jordan, Utah
West Jordan, Utah
West Jordan is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. West Jordan is a rapidly growing suburb of Salt Lake City and has a mixed economy. According to the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 103,712, placing it as the fourth most populated in the state. The city occupies the...
, USA. It seeks to provide clinical services, education, and other programs for teens, both girls and boys, that are identified as at risk. Until 2005, the Utah Boys Ranch was male-only. In early 2005, it opened new, separate facilities for girls and changed its name to West Ridge Academy. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation under the name Children and Youth Services, Inc. The academy states that it provides "quality clinical services, education, and experiences which promote spiritual awareness, personal accountability and change of heart."
West Ridge also provides a day program called Sunshine Solutions for underprivileged local kids, age five and up who need summer activities, positive mentors and emotional growth to help them learn how to make good decisions. The school is described in the self-study as “Christian but non-denominational.”
Stated purpose
Currently the stated purpose of the West Ridge Academy is "to offer hope and healing to families" by establishing "new coping skills and moral and spiritual values that will propel them into a more functional and peaceful way of life."Leadership and governance
The board of directorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
is composed of prominent Utah residents including Shawn Bradley
Shawn Bradley
Shawn Paul Bradley is a retired American and German basketball player who played center for the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets and the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association. At tall, Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history...
, BYU
BYU
-Education:* Brigham Young University, a university located in Provo, Utah, USA administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.**BYU Salt Lake Center, a satellite center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA...
religion instructor Sally Wyne, and LaVar Christensen
LaVar Christensen
LaVar Christensen is a American politician from Utah, serving as a state representative from the state's 48th district January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2006; January 1, 2011. Christensen was the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in Utah's 2nd congressional district...
. Past board members included Utah Senator Delpha Baird, West Jordan city Judge Ronald Kunz, and police chief Ken McGuire. Stan and Mary Ellen Smoot, and Richard and Linda J. Eyre serve on an advisory board
Advisory board
An advisory board is a body that advises the board of directors and management of a corporation but does not have authority to vote on corporate matters, nor a legal fiduciary responsibility...
. The current executive director is Kenneth R. Allen, who is also director of Proficio Management, a management company owned by the academy. Since their founding, they state they have helped over 25,000 teens. West Ridge is licensed by the Utah Department of Human Services. The license of West Ridge Academy is reviewed annually and the organization receives periodic visits from a licensing specialist to monitor and provide technical assistance and to insure compliance with Core and Categorical Rules of Treatment.
History
Lowell L. Bennion
Lowell Lindsay Bennion was an American educator and counselor. Early in his career, Bennion focused much of his efforts on fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , but he sought to benefit all people in his reach.Bennion was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of...
and a group of primarily Salt Lake County educators in 1964. The group originally purchased five acres on which to build the Ranch. Bennion had twice during this initial period requested funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to support the Ranch, but in both instances the LDS Church refused. Soon after the second request, David O. McKay
David O. McKay
David Oman McKay was the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , serving from 1951 until his death. Ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906, McKay was a general authority for nearly 64 years, longer than anyone else in LDS Church...
, then president of the LDS Church, donated $10,000 to support the Utah Boys Ranch. Later, leadership changed hands and Utah State Senator Chris Buttars
Chris Buttars
D. Chris Buttars is a former Republican member of the Utah State Senate representing the 10th Utah Senate District...
became the executive director and remained so for more than fifteen years before retiring amid controversy.
Sports program
West Ridge Academy offers a comprehensive sports program, believing it to be a positive treatment for some students because it offers a chance to form a bond with their teammates. The school has been an official member of the 1A Utah High School Activities Association since 2002 with the boy's varsity athletics. It fields boys' high school teams in basketball, baseball and soccer. In 2006 West Ridge Academy started a girl's athletics program.Litigation and controversy
West Ridge has been the subject of several lawsuits. On May 15, 2008, Tyler Elsey, a former student, filed a lawsuit against the school in Utah District court alleging negligenceNegligence
Negligence is a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances. The area of tort law known as negligence involves harm caused by carelessness, not intentional harm.According to Jay M...
and sexual abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
. As of June 2009, the case was inactive (the status in the Utah court system is given as "notice of removal").
On April 9, 2010 a lawsuit was filed against West Ridge Academy, its board of directors, and several employees alleging medical malpractice
Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice is professional negligence by act or omission by a health care provider in which the treatment provided falls below the accepted standard of practice in the medical community and causes injury or death to the patient, with most cases involving medical error. Standards and...
, lack of informed consent, negligence, negligent placement, breach of fiduciary duty, outrageous conduct inflicting emotional distress, fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
, negligent hiring/retention, and breach of warranty. That case is still ongoing.
On January 2, 2009, Eric Norwood, a past student of the academy, published an article alleging abuses and controversial practices at the ranch. On January 9, 2009, Salt Lake City radio station KRCL
KRCL
-External links:*...
invited Buttars, current West Ridge staff, and Eric Norwood to the talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
RadioActive! to discuss the article, but Buttars and West Ridge staff declined the invitation. On October 21, 2010 Norwood sued West Ridge Academy in California District court, alleging negligence, physical abuse
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.-Forms of physical abuse:*Striking*Punching*Belting*Pushing, pulling*Slapping*Whipping*Striking with an object...
, and sexual abuse. That case is still ongoing.
The Academy professes to be nondenominational and open to all regardless of religious affiliation. However, former students and staff at the academy say that there is a connection with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS Church). The Presiding Bishop
Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)
The Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a priesthood calling with church-wide authority. The Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood.-Presiding Bishopric:...
of the LDS Church, H. David Burton
H. David Burton
Harold David Burton has been the thirteenth Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 27 December 1995. He has been a general authority of the LDS Church since October 1992....
, said that the LDS Church "has been and continues to be a long-time supporter" of West Ridge Academy.