What is the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) ?
The troubled teen industry (TTI) includes a wide range of underregulated residential youth treatment facilities in the U.S. Every year, many children are taken from their homes by strangers, often in the middle of the night, and sent to these private facilities for mental health, addiction, and behavioral issues. Through therapeutic methods, these programs market themselves as a fix for almost any problem to parents, therapists, state agencies, courts, and insurers.
Is it Legal for Minors to be Held in These Facilities?
Many states allow parents to force their minor children—under the age of 18—to attend drug and alcohol rehab even without the child's consent
As for holding a child against their will for residential treatment, the legality depends on the circumstances and state regulations. In California, for instance, the law allows law enforcement officers and specific mental health professionals to detain individuals under a “5150 hold” if they believe the individual's mental health poses a risk of harm to themselves or others. This provision authorizes temporary involuntary detention for mental health evaluation and care.
Is it true that parents hire people to come and ‘kidnap’ their children to these facilities?
Sadly, Yes, it's legal and unregulated. For a fee, parents can arrange for their child to be taken from their home in the middle of the night by strangers, using varying degrees of aggression, handcuffs, or hogties. They are then transported to a remote treatment center and subjected to harsh conditions to address behavioral issues. It is fear that you experience once you get into that van and that you carry through the entire process.
What kind of licenses should programs have?
Teen programs should have licenses that adhere to the laws regulating care in drug and alcohol treatment centers across the United States. These licenses should define the specific requirements for each facility seeking licensing. If medications are included in the treatment protocols, the facility must also meet various state regulations specific to medication administration and ensure that the medical staff have the necessary experience. Some common licenses and certifications for teen treatment programs may include:
● State licensing: Most states require teen treatment programs to be licensed by the state health department or a similar regulatory agency to ensure they meet certain standards of care and safety.
● Accreditation: Accreditation from organizations such as the Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) can indicate that a teen treatment program meets high-quality standards and best practices.
● Specialized certifications: Depending on the specific focus of the teen treatment program (e.g., substance abuse treatment, eating disorder treatment), specialized certifications or licenses may be required for staff members.
● Mental health professionals: Teen treatment programs should employ licensed mental health professionals, such as therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists, who are qualified to provide appropriate care and treatment to teens.
● Proof of liability insurance
● Certificates of occupancy
● Floor Plan Approvals
● ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) adherence
It's important for individuals researching teen treatment programs to verify that the program holds the necessary licenses and certifications to ensure the safety and well-being of the teens in their care.
RED FLAGS
🔻Lack of Structure or Clarity
🔻No Evidence-Based Treatment
🔻 Restricts family communication and parental rights
🔻Recommends involuntary admittance
🔻The program improperly utilizes restraints, including pressure points, with the aim of coercing compliance from the child, potentially causing harm in the process.
🔻If program sexual shames the child as part of “treatment”
🔻Program hires staff who may lack the necessary qualifications, education, or training to provide proper care for teens on a day-to-day basis.
Resources
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/Licensing-and-Certification-Facility-Licensing.aspx
Are there Any Scientific Studies Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Troubled Teen Programs?
Research findings on troubled teen programs vary. As for treatment centers tailored for teens, there isn't extensive scientific evidence backing their effectiveness. It's essential to carefully assess the quality of these programs, as some may lack proper licensing or accreditation, posing potential risks like trauma, abuse, injuries, and even tragic outcomes. Hearing firsthand accounts of abuse and assault from past participants underscores the importance of always carefully evaluating any treatment center before enrolling in one.