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July 2006

WWASPS Program Owner to Stand Trial for Child Abuse

Narvin Lichfield, owner of Carolina Springs Academy in North Carolina and Pillars of Hope in Costa Rica, is scheduled to go on trial September 24 in Costa Rica.

The charges date back to May 2003, when Pillars of Hope was called Dundee Ranch Academy.

After receiving several child abuse complaints, Costa Rican authorities raided the private prison, sent the kids out of the country, and threw Narvin's ass in jail.

Even though 8 or so WWASPS programs have been shut down in various countries, Narvin will be the first person connected to WWASPS to stand trial for abusing kids.

Considering the deep pockets of WWASPS - the founder just happens to be Narvin's brother Robert - we're expecting a slew of satisified parents and students to testify on his behalf.

We'll keep you posted.

For more info on Dundee Ranch, check out www.wwaspsinfo.net

UPDATE: The trial was postponed just days before it was to begin. The new date will be posted as soon as we know it.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Referrers Wanted! No Qualifications Needed!

Last month, we added our Parents page warning of the dangers of program referrers found on the internet.

Lo and behold, a perfect example of such referrals landed in our inbox! Thank you "concerned parent"!

This little gem was written and distributed by Jane Hawley. Hawley has a loooooooog history marketing the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS).

Everyone knows that Teen Help = WWASPS, but here, they're calling thebselves "Lifelines."

As my daddy always said, if it looks like sh*t, and smells like sh*t, it probably is sh*t.

The following was posted as I received it. I didn't edit a thing.

***Lifelines Family Services*** wishes to announce that it has a position available for an ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR.

If you, or someone you know may be interested, please contact us as soon as possible.

REQUIREMENTS:

* Candidate must have an upbeat attitude, love working with people, proficient listening /communication skills

* A passion for the programs, and the desire to lead families in crisis to the best programs in the U.S.

* Previous sales / marketing experience a plus!

* Live inside the United States

* An ability to work from your own home in a distraction-free, private office/room is essential.

* An ability to work without supervision and be self-motivated, consistent and reliable.

* This is a full-time position requiring a minumum of 6-8 hours of phone time per day and occasional after-hours calls.

* A high-speed DSL connection is required to connect you to our Voice-Over IP Telephone system. (Steady 1.54 mg connection or higher. This cannot be wireless or cable) No additional phone line needed.

* Candidate would also need to provide their own computer which would be used soley for business purposes

* Basic computer skills and type at least 45 wpm

* Willingness to work in a team-environment that is faced-paced with no shortage of families to assist!

* Ability to work on a commission basis and realize it takes a couple of months to "fill your pipe-line"!

If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, please call us at 18002505446 between the hours of 9 - 5 pm MST and ask for either Jane at ext. 104 or Christina at ext. 100. If we are on the other line, please leave a detailed message with the number and time you can best be reached.

Thank you!

Jane Hawley
Director
Lifelines Family Services

Apparently, good grammar and proofreading skills are optional as well, but this is a prime example of what parents need to know.

The person on the other end of that phone couldn't care less about you or your kid. They want that commission. Period.

They are NO different than the folks hawking knockoff Viagra, miracle odor removers, and weight loss pills.

Don't look for help on the internet. There's a good possibility that what you find will mess your kid up even more.

Columbia Training School - Mississippi

There is yet another tragic example of the horrible things that can happen when men are in absolute authority of girls in teen-help programs.

A $10 million lawsuit alleges a 14 year-old girl was raped by a male staff member who let himself into her room, then locked her in after the attack.

According to the lawsuit, the girl reported the rape, but the report was not investigated.

The lawsuit also says the staff member continued to sexually abuse the girl during her stay at the facility.

Columbia Training School, school administrator L. Donald Armagost, the Department of Human Services, which oversees the schools, DHS Executive Director Don Taylor, DHS Youth Services Director Kathy Pittman, and DHS employees are all named in the lawsuit.

Tranquility Bay - Jamaica

The Cay Compass News, a paper in the Cayman Islands, printed a blistering article about Tranquility Bay this week.

Apparently, the Cayman Islands has quietly sent several children to the private prison in Jamaica.

Now that the children have returned, Cayman Islands officials are openly displeased with the lack of improvement in the children.

Children and Family Services Director Deana Look Loy had tougher words about the facility.

“The children we have sent there have not done well,” she said. “They missed their families and were miserable.”

Click here to read the whole article.