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WWASP
Disclaimer: The text below can be considered biased by some because the author lives in a country, which have ratified the UN Conventions on the Rights of a child.

WWASP

Overwiew

The World Wide Association Of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS or WWASP) is an organization based in La Verkin,Utah, United States. Since its' inception, the umbrella organization claimed to helped over 10,000 students from ages 12 with issues related to personal behavior. [2] Many outside observers believe, however, that the WWASP-affiliated institutions are actually owned (through limited partnerships, many of which have used the same street address) by WWASP or its principal officials or their close relatives.[1] WWASP 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 WWASP 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]

History

WWASP was founded by Robert Lichfield and was incorporated in 1998.

WWASP founder Robert Lichfield and former President of WWASP Karr Farnsworth met while working at Provo Canyon Boys School. According to news reports, authorities closed Provo Canyon in the late 1970's The Provo Canyon School did reopen and is still in operation today. A former client and a good example of the outcome parents can expect from a former student is Paris Hilton.

Lichfield then moved to La Verkin, Utah where he and partner Brent Facer opened Cross Creek Manor, Inc., (now Cross Creek Manor, LLC) an all-girls facility, in 1990.

In 1991, Robert Lichfield created Teen Help, Inc. (now Teen Help, LLC) to market the school. After associates of Lichfield began opening more schools around the country and abroad, the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools was incorporated in 1998. Robert Lichfield is now a consultant and director for WWASP. Brent Facer is a trustee.

The current president is Ken Kay.

Facilities:

Name Place About Number of detainees Closed
Academy at Ivy Ridge Ogdensburg, New York Got a fine for stop issuing unauthorized high school diplomas, and advertising that it is an accredited school. In December 2006, they tried to be accredited as a school, but failed. They now claims that they are no longer a part of WWASP. [2]    
Carolina Springs Academy Due West, South Carolina 160
Cross Creek Programs La Verkin, Utah 431
Darrington Academy Georgia
Golf Coast Academy Lucedale, Mississippi
Majestic Ranch Academy Utah
Midwest Academy Keokuk, Iowa 239
Horizon Academy Amargosa Valley, Nevada 170
Red River Academy Lecompte, Louisiana
Royal Gorge Academy Canon City, Colorado 40
Sky View Christian Academy Nevada 57
Spring Creek Lodge Academy Montana 421
Woodland Hills Maternity Home Utah
Bell Academy X
Bethel Girls Academy Lucedale, Mississippi Shutdown after state officials investigated reports of abuse. The facility was sold to other persons from the inner circle of WWASP and is now used by the Gulf-Coast Academy after intense repairs due to the hurricane Katrina [3]. X
Brightway Hospital Closed 1998 after an investigation of the treatment given by the staff. [4]. Recently portrayed in the movie Self-medicated [5] X
Other countries - Read about the Warning from the foreign department: <Link>
Pillars of Hope Costa Rica The number of detainees is listed on NAAS list of accredited international and transregional schools [6]. 26
Tranquility Bay Jamaica 176
Seaside Academy Rosarito, Mexico
High Impact Tecate, Mexico Closed in 2001 X
Academy at Dundee Ranch Costa Rica Closed in 2004 X
Casa by the Sea Mexico Closed in 2004 X
Morava Academy Czech Republic Closed in 1998, when Czech police charged and arrested its managers with child torture. The managers - Stephen and Glenda Roach had been arrested by the Mexican police some years before in relationship with the closure of Sunrise Beach. X
Sunrise Beach Cancun, Mexico Closed in 1996 by the Mexican police. The mangers Stephen and Glenda Roach was charged, but left the country. X
Paradise Cove American Samoa X

References:

w1) Source: Antiwwasp
w2) In the Matter of the Academy at Ivy Ridge, Assurance of Discontinuance Pursuant to Executive Law Section 63, Subdivision 15, Attorney General of the State of New York, Watertown Office, August 17, 2005
w3)
w4) Utah Adolescent Hospital Shut - Case of troubled Oakland youth triggered scrutiny
w5) Self-medicated on IMDB
w6) Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, List of international and Trans-regional Schools

Links: