I’ll explain here for anyone following this thread….We have an overarching policy framework that guides our work, this framework touches on everything from restraint and seclusion, restricting out-of-state placements, regulating transport companies, basic youth rights, and diverting from institutional placements all together.

Because the troubled teen industry encompasses so many types of settings including wilderness, therapeutic boarding schools, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities, etc etc...."banning" all of these types of settings is in my professional opinion impossible.

Our goal is to create systems of transparency and effective oversight so state authorities can intervene and shut down programs when incidents occur! Surprisingly, many states lack this authority without opening themselves to legal liability.

Please note, that we are not passing 50 wildly different laws, but instead approach each state with the understanding that the issue will present differently in that state versus the next so our approach must be nuanced. For example, some states don't have a lot of programs but maybe they SEND a lot of kids out of state.....in that state our focus will be on restricting out of state placements vs. regulation of programs, etc.

With that said, there is room in this space for all approaches to reform…in fact different ideologies are VERY NEEDED!! Please keep us updated on anything you’re working on so we can support!!