Inappropriate contact between children and staff members has happened with some frequency in Utah’s teen treatment programs. From November 2018 through July 2021 state regulators have investigated at least 20 reports of staff pushing the boundaries with clients, sometimes amounting to sexual abuse.
Former students at Utah troubled-teen centers say their reports of sex abuse were ignored
Tribune analysis identifies youth treatment centers with higher rates of reported sexual abuse.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Cedar Ridge Academy has a new owner as of February and a new name as the Makana Leadership Academy, Dec. 16, 2020. Cedar Ridge had a history of reports of sexual abuse. | Updated: March 8, 2021, 11:52 p.m.
Roosevelt • Police had uncovered a pattern of abuse at Cedar Ridge Academy.
A staffer, one who had worked with kids daily for 10 years at the “troubled-teen” facility, had made sexually charged comments to the boys. He had groped some of them during unapproved medical procedures in a small room after covering the only window with butcher paper so no one could see. He gave kids medications they weren’t prescribed so often, a lawsuit later alleged, they called him “the candy man.”
“We have been working hard since June to navigate and synthesize the rapidly growing body of COVID-19 research and resources in relation to vulnerable children and families, some of who are involved with the child welfare system, in the Prairies and beyond,” says Dr. Lise Milne, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Work, who is partnering with CTRC director Dr. Nathalie Reid on the project. “We learned from the service providers themselves that, due to time constraints and work pressure, they have had difficulties accessing, sharing, evaluating, and applying knowledge of best practices,” says Dr. Reid. “The research team has created and populated the website with vetted, synthesized, and translated research and resources to help child-serving organizations across the Prairies mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of children, families, and workers.”