World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
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The World Wide Association Of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS or WWASP) is an organization based in Utah, United States. WWASPS was founded by Robert Lichfield and was incorporated in 1998.
WWASPS states that it is an umbrella organization of facilities that operate in accordance with WWASP guidelines. Many outside observers believe, however, that the WWASPS-affiliated institutions are actually owned (through limited partnerships, many of which have used the same street address) by WWASPS or its principal officials or their close relatives.[1] WWASPS is incorporated as a nonprofit organization, but it is connected to several affiliated for-profit companies. These include Teen Help LLC, the marketing arm of WWASPS and the entity that processes admissions paperwork; Teen Escort Service, a teen escort company; R&B Billing, which does tuition billing and payment processing[2]; and Premier Educational Systems, LLC (also called Premier Educational Seminars), which conducts orientation and training workshops for parents.[3]
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[edit] Purpose
WWASP programs claim they can correct specific types of behavior, perceived as inappropriate by their parents or society in general, in children 12 and up. Each school and program is independently owned and operated. WWASPS claims its schools have helped over 10,000 students and families with a 97% parent satisfaction rate, and received over 4,000 letters of reference or apprecation.[1]
[edit] Facilities
WWASP operates, formerly operated, or is associated with, a number of facilities, both within the United States and other countries:
[edit] Currently Operating
[edit] United States
- Academy at Ivy Ridge in Ogdensburg, New York (no longer affiliated with WWASP)
- Carolina Springs Academy in South Carolina
- Cross Creek Programs in Utah
- Darrington Academy in Georgia
- Majestic Ranch Academy in Utah
- Midwest Academy in Keokuk, Iowa
- Horizon Academy in Amargosa Valley, Nevada
- Red River Academy in Lecompte, Louisiana.
- Respect Camp, Mississippi - formerly known as Eagle Point Christian Academy and Bethel Boys Academy. (Raided several times. Each time reopened under a new name.)[citation needed]
- Royal Gorge Academy in Canon City, Colorado
- Sky View Christian Academy in Nevada.
- Spring Creek Lodge Academy in Montana (no longer affiliated with WWASP)
- Woodland Hills Maternity Home in Utah
[edit] Other countries
- Pillars of Hope, (previously the site of Academy at Dundee Ranch)
- Tranquility Bay in Jamaica
- Seaside Academy near Ensenada, Mexico (previously the site of Casa By The Sea)
[edit] Now Closed
[edit] United States
- Bell Academy in California
- Bethel Girls Academy in Mississippi
- Brightway Hospital in St. George, Utah
[edit] Other Countries
- Academy at Dundee Ranch, Costa Rica (now the site of Pillars of Hope)
- High Impact in Tecate, Mexico
- Morava Academy, Czech Republic
- Sunrise Beach, Cancun, Mexico
- Paradise Cove, Samoa
- Pacific View Retreat in Ensenada, Mexico
- Casa by the Sea in Ensenada, Mexico
[edit] Related and spinoff programs and projects
Some personnel formerly associated with WWASP schools and programs have gone on to establish or work at other similar institutions:
- In 2005 Robert Lichfield and the Utah-based holding company, Golden Pond Investments Ltd., made an offer to buy the campus of the Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri, to open a new school for adolescents needing help with discipline, responsibility and leadership skills. It was announced that the school would be directed by former WWASP staff member Randall Hinton and his brother Russell Hinton. The Hintons told Boonville officials that the proposed school would not be a part of WWASP.[4] The Boonville City Council rejected the proposal.[5]
[edit] Controversy
The treatment methods employed by WWASPS institutions are said to be controversial, as there have been allegations of abuse by staff at programs supported by WWASPS.[6] Notable criticisms include an article published by the New York Times, and an article published by Observer Magazine. The programs have been the subject of legal investigations by several U.S. states.[7]
WWASPS disputes these allegations[8].
[edit] References
- ^ See Investigation shows troubled school may be buying interest with lawmakers (Associated Press, September 20, 2004), Utah-based school owner banned (Deseret News, July 6, 2003), and Former student alleges months of abuse (John Sullivan, Columbia Daily Tribune, April 15, 2005.)
- ^ John-Thor Dahlburg, Key to His Schools' Success? It's God, Founder Says, Los Angeles Times, July 13, 2003.
- ^ See http://www.premier-ed.com/
- ^ Boonville to discuss Kemper proposal: A company involved in the plan has faced abuse allegations, Columbia Missourian, April 11, 2005, and John Sullivan, Kemper suitors plan new military school, Columbia Daily Tribune, April 5, 2005.
- ^ Amy Joi Bryson, Utah-based group under fire, Deseret Morning News, April 21, 2005
- ^ Joanne Green, Rough Love: Kids from South Florida and beyond are sent to Jamaica to straighten up. Or else, Miami New Times, June 22, 2006.
- ^ Amy Joi Bryson, Utah-based group under fire, Deseret Morning News, April 21, 2005.
- ^ Rebuttal
[edit] External links
[edit] Web sites for WWASP facilities and affiliated institutions:
- Academy at Ivy Ridge
- Cross Creek Programs
- Carolina Springs Academy
- Spring Creek Lodge Academy
- Midwest Academy
- Tranquility Bay
[edit] Parent action sites
- [2] The Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse (CAICA)
- International Survivors Action Committee - WWASP
- Parents Divided Over Jamaica Disciplinary Academy by Tim Weiner, The New York Times, June 17, 2003
- WWASP - Tranquility Bay. Testimony of Aaron Kravig, Lindsey Wise & Nick Violante
- The Last Resort by Decca Aitkenhead, Observer Magazine, June 29, 2003.
- Want Your Kid to Disappear? by Nadya Labi, Legal Affairs, July|August 2004.
- Loving Them to Death
- Tranquility Bay and WWASPS
- WWASP Programs, From a Student's Point of View
- The Trouble with Troubled Teen Programs
