History

CEDU was one of the pioneers of the industry based on outsourcing of your children's upbringing.

It was founded by Mel Wasserman - an therapeutic program started in the 1960's based loosely on the book The Profit by Khalil Gibran. Sources varies but most state that the organization was started in 1967, when he bought property in the hills east of  Los Angeles. Others stated that he actually began his work in the business in 1965, when he - at that time running a furniture store - started to take restless youth into his household.

CEDU was pronounced "See-do". A motto did say: "See yourself as you are and do something about it."

Before starting CEDU, Wasserman had sponsored children for another program - Synanon. However when Synanon turned into a cult, he started on his own.

Old CEDU Period (196x - about 1990)

The original CEDU program did not believe in use of psychological medicine. They used hour long group therapy called raps, which left children crying in the end. Today it would be called psychodrama.

New CEDU period (1990 - 2005)

Brown school period:

Closure

It closed in early 2005 due to financial problems [7] [8]

CEDU reborn

Behavior modification facilities:

CEDU and Hollywood

News, articles

On July 15, 1994, a boy from Texas named Jon Avila committed suicide in one of the dormitories of lower Camelot, in a room overlooking a pond. The late Mr. Avila hung himself from the sprinkler pipe with a belt [4].7

In 1997 there was a riot by the detainees of as sister school in North Idaho, Northwest Academy. Five persons were injured [5].

In 2002 the facility was forced to pay $300.000 in settlement in a lawsuit to former client due to abuse [6].

References

1) About the early years and the Herbalife connection
2) CEDU Closing: George Locker's Criticisms
2) CEDU Sued for Abuse and Fraud (International Survivors Action Committee)
3) Father endures 2-month search for missing son (International Survivors Action Committee)
4) Spokesman-Review excerpt
5) Suits allege suits at two schools (Community Alliance for the Fair and Ethical Treatment of Youth)
6) Rocky Mountain Academy to close; Inability to find leadership blamed (The Spokesman Review)
7) CEDU EDUCATION ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN ACADEMY (Press Release brought on strugglingteens.com)
8) CEDU Closing: Reaction from Running Springs Area

External links