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KCPW
Wilderness Therapy Scrutinized in
Congress
October 11, 2007
By Julie Rose
(KCPW News) Wilderness boot camps
that thrive in Utah's desert regions are on trial in Washington this
week with the release of a new federal report and Congressional
hearing. There are no federal laws that regulate residential
treatment programs, but Utah began licensing the programs in 1990:
"You can't ever guarantee that people will always be completely
safe," says Utah Department of Human Services spokesperson Carol
Sisco. "But, the safety of kids has improved vastly since the early
day when there were absolutely no regulations."
Sisco says residential treatment
programs have strict requirements, including the need for doctors
and psychotherapists on staff. The amount of water, food and
supplies provided to youth in wilderness programs is strictly
monitored by state licensing agents who make unannounced spot
checks, says Sisco.
Still, fatalities and allegations
of abuse persist at programs in Utah and elsewhere in the country.
The Government Accountability Office confirmed dozens of such cases
in a new report and will release a more comprehensive investigation
later this year. Some in Congress want to use that report as a
springboard to establishing federal guidelines for residential
treatment programs and wilderness camps for troubled youth.
COMMENTS:
John Rhodes said: I work for a
wilderness therapy program and take offense to the comparison of our
programs with boot camps. Our therapeutic wilderness program is
licensed and JCHAO accredited. We help hundreds of teenagers each
year. I've asked many of these kids, "Where would you be now if you
hadn't participated in this program?" The resounding answer is,
"Dead." These kids are abusing drugs and alcohol, sexually active,
and making dangerous choices. Some of these kids suffer from mental
health issues, some have learning challenges, others suffer from
trauma such as divorce, and others have low self-esteem. But the
bottom line is these kids need help and wilderness therapy programs
can help. There is a study by the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare
Industry that points out that 80% of parents and over 90% of
graduates report that their wilderness therapy experience was
effective two years after the process. Everyone who works for an
ethical wilderness therapy program wants to help these kids. We
agree there should be consistent industry regulations. But don't let
this boot camp "hoopla" dissuade you from looking into a therapeutic
wilderness program for a child that needs help. |
