The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Be careful where you click into! I was made aware that the program that used to be Carolina Springs Academy, where my daughter was harmed, was just re-opened as Seneca Ranch in Due West, SC. As a parent advocate , I encourage parents to do their due diligence when researching programs for their teenager. The Internet is full of wonderful websites and toll-free numbers that will sell you many things. When it comes to your child, learn to separate the Internet fact from the Internet fiction.  There will always be those forums of slander - former institutionalized kids that believed they were wronged by the system - and many still don't have relationships with their family. Though I feel for them, I also understand that there are many good programs in our country - as well as a handful of not so good ones.  You will never please everyone, however when you have the same repetitive stories over and over - from different kids at different times from different parts of the...

WWASPS students were disciplined in this HOBBIT room in their U.S. program. The New York Times cover story today had the headline above! Over a decade later and these programs are still in operation.  Sure, some name changes - and shift around some people, but it is still the same from what I am reading. It's not a secret, my family was a victim of the teen help industry. We struggled with a teenager that was a good teen making some bad choices - we needed help.  But did that mean we needed to be duped?  Why do people prey on the weak?  I am not concerned about that right now. Fact is, yes, some teens and families need help and we believe in that - as does my daughter. Our story has been well documented both online and published by Health Communications, Inc (HCI).  What many can't comprehend is how the people and programs that harmed our family and my daughter - as well has hundreds (if not thousands of others) is still in operation? I...

Don't get scammed because you are desperate for help. You are searching for a program for your struggling teen.  You have reached your wit's end and bumped into websites that seem to promise to help you.  After being stunned by the sticker shock, you start surfing the web a bit and suddenly realize everything isn't want it seems. Yes, River View Academy (Utah), River River Academy, Youth Foundation, Cross Creek, and even those sales people. Sigh.... And who am I. Well, if you ask these teen help "sales reps" they will tell you that I am a disgruntled parent that attempted to manipulate their referral system.  Okay, funny a jury trial didn't find that.  There has been many lawsuits filed against this organization, though many have been settled quietly, mine was the only one to go to a jury trial - in Salt Lake City.  I was not taking this sitting down. The Internet is a very deceptive place.  You see, there is Internet fact and Interne...

After experiencing my good teen making some bad choices, I found myself surfing the Internet until I was so confused and stressed that I couldn’t make a decision. One group of specialty schools and behavior modification programs kept popping up wherever I clicked, and I figured they must be good. Then I received their beautiful glossy literature with a video that could make any parent weep. Once the initial sticker shock wore off, the cost was reasonable in comparison with other programs, or so I thought until I enrolled my child. The hidden costs added up like a grocery bill. I was totally misled by the sales rep and made a rash decision. Mistake number one: being clueless as to whom you are speaking with when reaching out to these toll-free numbers. This is a common mistake for parents in a desperate situation. A swift sales rep is there waiting for you; meeting questions with the answers you want to hear and making promises that convince you they can help your chi...

Searching online for help for your troubled teen? Maybe they are not troubled, they have always been a good kid, but now they are making some really bad choices - hanging with the less than positive influences - smoking some pot (not to mention the cigarettes) - drinking - and starting to fail in school. We have even watched our teen drift away from the things they used to love such as sports, dance, music, hobbies, etc. Defiance, lack of respect, underachieving, withdrawing from family activities, and simply a child you no longer recognize - where did your happy toddler go? This scenario is very common, it happened to me over a decade ago - and is the reason I created my organization - Parents' Universal Resource Experts . I don't want to rehash my story here, you can read it on www.aparentstruestory.com or in my books Wit's End! Advice and Resources for Saving Your Out of Control Teen . I want to help you a bit as you are searching the Internet for help for...

Utah River View in La Verkin River View River View Academy Not exactly sure?  Neither was a parent when she called me after surfing the Internet and coming across a marking arm that attempted to tell her that her son was a perfect fit for this program. As a parent advocate for over a decade, I have certainly heard and visited many schools and programs in our country and this one really confused me.  Why? Well - La Verkin, Utah is very small and the home of Cross Creek which is part of the organization that harmed my own daughter years ago and defrauded me. They are also part of many allegations of abuse, fraud and currently involved in yet another lawsuit .  Are you looking for residential therapy for your at-risk teen?  I commend you for being proactive - don't give up your search.  There are actually more good programs than there are not so good.  However it is imperative you do your research and dig deep. Know the questions to ask . ...

Not able to recognize your teen anymore? Are you considering residential therapy for your teen, and recognize those program names? Stop and read on.... You find yourself surfing the net.  Your once happy baby, turned toddler progressed into elementary school then suddenly hit adolescence and something changed.  But what was it? After all, your teen is smart, they are good looking, usually very athletic, capable of getting A's yet bringing home C's, you are getting reports that they are skipping classes, if they aren't skipping school all together - then you suddenly see a shift in their choice of friends.... what is going on? Some parents will think - typical teen - maybe it is.  However when do you know when it is time to intervene?  It always it!  It is a parent's responsibility to know when safety trumps privacy. Keeping the lines of communication open, even when your teen clams up.  It isn't easy, but talking is your road to finding out what ...

Making the right choice takes time. Don't get scammed. As a victim of the WWASPS organization - I am often called or receive many emails about our (my daughter and I) experiences with them.  Obviously not pleasant.  Though I am happy to say the program she was at, Carolina Springs Academy, which attempted to go through a name change to Magnolia Christian Academy (or School) depending on the day you Googled it, is finally closed - it has been rumored some of the staff is now at their affiliate program - Red River Academy. Let me be clear for legal purposes - these are rumors - but if I were placing my child in program, I personally wouldn't take any chances - and furthermore, Red River Academy is clearly named in the current lawsuit which is extremely disturbing with allegations of fraud, abuse, neglect and much more - ( click here ) that is current. So when the "sales rep" tells you that " Sue Scheff " is a disgruntled parent - I say - YES, I was - y...

Do your research when looking for help Since my story broke in 2001 - the stories have not stopped with allegations of abuse, neglect, fraud etc.   How many lawsuits have been settled with confidentiality statements and a check?  I have heard of many.  I have seen the settlement agreements.  I was not one of those parents - I was able to fight legally and defeated them at a jury trial!  In Salt Lake City - a city of their peers - no one condones child abuse. They couldn't defeat me legally - so they took to the Internet - helping to create and instigate slime, lies, defamation and more against myself and my family as well as my organization .  Although they weren't directly named in my lawsuit for Internet defamation and Invasion of Privacy, discovery proved their name came up more times than they wanted - I am sure.  Not to mention the defendant was given WWASPS attorney's to defend her.  Yes, the web of lies and deceit never ends.  ...

Being bullied into silence. Not me. Are you at your wit's end and desperately searching the Internet for help for your out of control teen? Is your child a good teen making some very bad choices ? Failing in school? Underachieving? Defiant? Runaway ? Teen drug use ? Teen drinking? Are you considering a Residential Treatment Center ( RTC ), Therapeutic Boarding School (TBS), Emotional Growth Program, Behavioral Modification Program , Wilderness Program , etc? As a Parent Advocate , I founded my organization after struggling with my own teenage daughter. My story has been widely read and published by Health Communications, Inc - original home of Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. My daughter was harmed at Carolina Springs Academy. I won a court battle in 2004 proving my allegations against World Wide Association of Specialty Programs ( WWASPS - the umbrella that Carolina Springs Academy fell under) and what they did to my daughter and the deception I endured. It...

It was reported back in early June 2010 that Magnolia Christian School or Academy (depending on what they call themselves that day formerly Carolina Springs Academy) was closed.  I received word from a parent that had a daughter there and was informed he had 24 hours to pick her up.  When he arrived, Elaine Davis (the same director that was there when my daughter was abused and neglected there) was on the porch with the kids waiting for the parents. Animals Abandoned According to this parent - all the other staff left. Then I received emails about the abuse of the animals there recently.  The fact the animals were left to fend for themselves and the video was horrifying to watch.  Animal activists as far as from Alaska were writing me for help on the background of this so-called teen help program.  According to one source , more than 70 carcasses have been found on the property and the Humane Society of Greenwood has removed dozens and dozens more...

Is it true?  Teen Help Programs, many that were under the WWASPS (World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools) is on the move again? Since our horrific experience with them, www.aparentstruestory.com - the victory of my litigation with them - winning in a jury trial, as well as winning an $11M jury verdict for Internet Defamation damages done to me, I have noticed they are moving, changing, and assuming that new parents won't realize it could possibly be the same people behind different masks. I wonder why they are now falling back on the Christian component.  I am Christian and I know God forgives, but when my child is involved, it is a bit disturbing to think they can continue with this.  This is strictly my opinion, however if you are seeking residential therapy for your teen, be sure to do your homework. Read more on www.helpyourteens.com - and  here is one of the most recent changes. Click here. Learn more about me at www.suescheff.com - ...

With the recent closing of Magnolia Christian School , which was formerly Carolina Springs Academy , it seems that World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) is slowly decreasing in size.  Is it the economy or the fact that there are many disturbing stories out there, as well as successful lawsuits such as mine .  Currently I believe Red River Academy is their East Coast/Central States main program as Horizon Academy and Cross Creek are on the West Coast. Are you considering residential therapy ?  Are you are your wit's end with your teenager?  Researching these programs and schools can be a daunting experience.  Glowing websites and slick sales reps at many toll free numbers - how do you know who to trust? I can't answer that except to say to remember, your child is not for sale. You will know in your gut if someone is being sincere or simply doing their job. I am considered a disgruntled parent by WWASPS, and I will accept th...

This week I have received numerous emails from parents, grandparents, relatives and others about the closing of Magnolia Christian Academy, formerly Carolina Springs Academy in Due West, SC. Whether is was pressure from the Attorney Generals office or the bad economy, it is my opinion this has been a long time coming and thankfully kids will not be subjected to what my daughter endured there.  It is all well documented in Wit's End , as well as trial transcripts.  Those sales reps (marketing arms) such as Help my teen or Teens in Crisis - (Lisa Irvin or Jane Hawley and the sales people that work for them) will continue to say I am a disgruntled parent - yes, I am, they abused my daughter - or they tell parents I own - operate - manage - my own schools (I don't) to  excuse my experiences. Now they have a few others programs to market - and I understand that Red River Academy or Horizon Academy is the latest one that people are sharing with me.  Are you considerin...

Are you considering residential therapy for your teenager? Do you have a good teen making bad choices? Are you surfing the Internet, totally confused by all those toll free numbers, marketing arms, and sales reps? Are you totally at your wit's end ??? As responsible parent, we need to get our teen help, however we also need to stop, think, research and consider what is best for your individual teen. Many years ago, I struggled with my own teen daughter and her unacceptable behavior and needed outside help. My story has made headlines - and also lead to a book - Wit's End ! that has helped many parents when they are about to make a major decision. I was sucked in by a group that told me all I " needed " to hear - and delivered on just about zero of it. Learn from my mistakes - gain from my knowledge. If you are considering any of the above referenced "teen-help" programs (in the title) or marketing arms - take your time - do your research and please read my...

Are you considering residential therapy for your teenager?  Do you have a good teen making bad choices? Are you surfing the Internet, totally confused by all those toll free numbers, marketing arms, and sales reps? Are you totally at your wit's end ??? As  responsible parent, we need to get our teen help, however we also need to stop, think, research and consider what is best for your individual teen.  Many years ago, I struggled with my own teen daughter and her unacceptable behavior and needed outside help.  My story has made headlines - and also lead to a book - Wit's End ! that has helped many parents when they are about to make a major decision. I was sucked in by a group that told me all I "needed" to hear - and delivered on just about zero of it. Learn from my mistakes - gain from my knowledge .  If you are considering any of the above referenced "teen-help" programs (in the title) or marketing arms - take your time - do your research ...

Are you a parent with an at risk teen, considering a residential treatment center ? Maybe a therapeutic boarding school? Do you have a good kid that is making some not so good choices? What do you know about Boot Camps ?  Are you at your wit's end ? Please read my earlier post on Magnolia Christian School .  Read my story .

Are you a parent with an at risk teen, considering a residential treatment center? Maybe a therapeutic boarding school? Do you have a good kid that is making some not so good choices? Are you at your wit's end? Please read my earlier post on a variety of programs including Midwest Academy . ALERT for parents - especially at your wit's end.

Are you a parent with an at risk teen, considering a residential treatment center? Maybe a therapeutic boarding school? Do you have a good kid that is making some not so good choices? Are you at your wit's end? Please read my earlier post on a variety of programs including CrossCreekAcademy . ALERT for parents - especially at your wit's end.

Are you a parent with an at risk teen, considering a residential treatment center? Maybe a therapeutic boarding school? Do you have a good kid that is making some not so good choices? Are you at your wit's end? Please read my earlier post on a variety of programs including Horizon Academy . ALERT for parents - especially at your wit's end.