Amazing, it is almost 4 years since I defeated WWASPS in a jury trial in August 2004 and I still hear they are telling parents the jury made a mistake or some parents have told me their sales rep told them I lost? Strange - I have 100% legal documents proving my victories as well as winning an unprecedented jury verdict for damages of $11.3M from a defendant that received monies from WWASPS.
Are you considering the following schools or programs? I would never tell a parent what to do -but I do encourage you to do your homework. My story can give you insight to the desperation I felt, the mistakes I made and hopefully you will gain from the bumps I made.
As of May 2006, it is believed that WWASP aka WWASPS or Premier Educational Systems has affiliations with the following:
Academy of Ivy Ridge, NY (Recently withdrew their affiliation with WWASPS)
Canyon View Park, MT
Camas Ranch, MT
Carolina Springs Academy, SC
Cross Creek Programs, UT (Cross Creek Center and Cross Creek Manor
Darrington Academy, GA
Gulf Coast Academy, MS
Help My Teen, UT (Adolescent Services Adolescent Placement) Promotes and markets these programs.
Horizon Academy, NV
Jane Hawley (Lifelines)
Lifelines Family Services, UT (Promotes and markets these programs).
Lisa Irvin (Helpmyteen)
Majestic Ranch, UT
Mark Peterson (Teen Help)
Midwest Academy, IA (Brian Viafanua, formerly the Director of Paradise Cove as shown on Primetime, is the current Director here).
Pillars of Hope, Costa Rica
Pine View Christian Academy (Borders FL, AL, MS)
Reality Trek, UT
Red River Academy, LA (Borders TX)
Royal Gorge Academy, CO
Sky View Academy, NV
Spring Creek Lodge, MT
Tranquility Bay, Jamaica
On June 6, 2006 WWASPS LOST again in the Supreme Court of Appeals - Sue Scheff's victory speaks for so many children and parents that were victims of WWASPS.
My book - Wit’s End! will feature for the first time my daughter’s voice - her story told firsthand. Wit’s End is our journey as well as a valuable resource book to help you not to make the mistakes we did.
By Sue Scheff, Parents Universal Resource Experts
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
CAROLINA SPRINGS ACADEMY - SUE SCHEFF - A THORN IN WWASPS SIDE
Again, WWASPS (Carolina Springs Academy) like to tell twisted truths and outright lies to get an admission.I have defeated WWASPS in a jury trial in their home state of Utah in August 2004. I again defeated them the Supreme Court of Appeal in June 2006.
Read below a letter that a Sales Rep, Mark Peterson, of Teen Help aka WWASPS is writing about me - and I am sure the other Sales Reps are saying about me. I have removed the confidential information from the parent that sent it to me.
Ironically - right below it - I received an email from a victim of CSA - only minutes earlier - their name is withheld too. It didn't take much for this parent to realize exactly who was telling the truth.
Read my story - http://www.aparentstruestory.com/ - and also my essay on Admitting my Mistakes.
If you are a parent and getting feed back from Teen Help Sales Reps like this - think twice.This is typical of what CSA and Teen Help Sales Reps tells parents about me - however the Jury Verdict in my favor - the Supreme Court of Appeal in my favor - as well as the $11.3M jury verdict for damages done to me on the Internet - speaks volumes.
True - while I was under the spell of WWASP - I was satisfied - I knew no better - I attended their cult like seminars (in my opinion) and even though I had some ugly gut feelings, I thought I was doing what was best for my daughter. It wasn't until my daughter came home (remember, she was there 6 months and I never saw her or spoke to her) - I only picked her up at 6 months since she ended up in the hospital and no one ever told me - I found out what actually happened to her once she was home several months, she was literally petrified she would have to go back.
True - I fought back, but not legally at the time - I posted our story online - WWASP sued me to get it down - I fought back to prove it was TRUE - and that is why I won! After almost $1M in legal fees - and a jury trial in Utah (their home state) I won - and my story stands strong on the Internet.
The truth prevailed - in all cases - and yes, I was a foolish and desperate parent that fell for their scam - and yes I participated in their referral program - but what they neglected to say is that I gave my referrals to a parent that had two kids in the program. This was all proven in a court of law - in a trial. But it is easier to leave it all out in a lame attempt to discredit me and get an enrollment.
Yes - there were referrals after my daughter was home - that is simply because of their excellence in marketing - there were hundreds of brochures released with my ID Code - so yes - I assume there were referrals in my name after my daughter was home.
Amazing - what stories will they create next? My voice is strong - my book - "Wit's End!" also features my daughter's voice. Hear her first hand experiences.
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:01:46 -0600 (MDT)
From: Mark Peterson <markp@teenhelp.us>
To:
Subject:
Re: enrollment approval
.....
Our schools have a very high success rate. I hope that you will also understand that individual counseling with an adult therapist just isn't effective or necessary for most teens. They do many, many times better in a group therapy setting. We do that at no extra fee. We also have a school (Cross Creek) with all the needed psycological counseling for those teens with serious emotional/psychological disturbances/issues. I would encourage you to look into this further to be sure you are not getting yourself or [name withheld] into a mess or paying more than necessary.We have been at this for a long time, are very good at it and have developed a very efficient program, thus the lower cost and high success.
Years ago Sue Scheff placed her daughter at Carolina Springs but removed her before program completion. She had no complaints at the time, liked our schools and referred parents to them until she was caught doing something unethical and greedy in the parent referral program. She was asked to stop her unethical practices. She then turned about face and started up her own group. You will notice her website refers to it.
Her website has contradictions and false claims all over it. Her parents "true" story is one fabrication after another. Also, to those who know the industry and the schools we represent, the supposed student affidavit "declaration under penalty of perjury pursuant to 28 USCA 1746" totally perjurs itself
............................
Thanks,
Mark Peterson
Admissions Advisor
Teen Help Adolescent Resources800-637-0701 x121
==========================
READ THIS EMAIL BELOW - RECEIVED SHORTLY AFTER MARK PETERSON - SALES REP FOR TEEN HELP - MARK PETERSON DEFENDS A PROGRAM THAT I RECEIVED EMAILS LIKE THIS REGULARLY. VERY SAD. IN MY OPINION.
==========================
From:
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 7:36 PM
To: sue.s@helpyourteens.com
Subject: I attended carolina springs academy
Hi, My name is [name withheld], I was at Carolina Springs for almost 5 months. It was an incredibly abusive, and horrible environment. I know exactly what your daughter went through. I was picked on by other students, and the staff just sat there and laughed, and was also picked on by the staff as well. That is not the worst part though, I was also sexually molested by another student. I was extremely emotionally unstable, and when other students would pick on me, it was all I could do not to hit them. The only reason I didn't was because I knew that I would go to jamaica, or costa rica. I had kids throwing things at me, and jumping out of the showers and throwing a towel over my head, and tossing me around, and the staff could have cared less. But when I would freak out and start crying, I would get in trouble, and they wouldn't. The fact that the "upper levels" could be so called "junior staff," it gave them a power trip, and that was when they would bully me the most. When I first went there, I had just turned 13, and the whole time I was there, I was the youngest. I have tourette's syndrome, and when I would have muscle tics, I would get in trouble for being disruptive, breaking shutdown rules, etc. It was a nightmare. It was probably the worst time of my life. I would also get restrained, they would take me out back to the "OP" building, and one of the staff, which was usually Mr. Gus, would put one hand on my wrist, and the other hand on my elbow, and push my wrist down, and push my elbow up. It seemed like he really got a kick out of this. He would start yelling, and I was crying, and trying with everything that I had not to scream. I knew that if I did, I would most likely get beaten or something like that. I was scared, I was a little kid, for crying out loud. I was constantly threatened by one of the night staff(Mr. Tony) to be taken out behind the OP building, and be given an "old fashioned woodshed beatinng." He would constantly say stuff like " that woodshed's calling your name [name withheld]." I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about. I saw the documentary on wwasp, and I can't imagine what it was like for Steven Frederickson to be in wwasp for five years. Five months alone seemed like forever to me, I would rather die than be there five years. My main concern is that I want to get wwasp shut down, and I won't rest until they do. It's awesome that you won that lawsuit against them, that is a tremendous victory. I'm also looking at filing a lawsuit against them, and doing whatever else it takes to get them shutdown, and all these kids home safely. I would really like to talk to you on the phone, if you get a chance, please call me at XXX-XXX-XXXX, and ask for [name withheld], this is my Dad's office phone. I really look forward to talking with you.
Thank you times a million, [name withheld]
Read below a letter that a Sales Rep, Mark Peterson, of Teen Help aka WWASPS is writing about me - and I am sure the other Sales Reps are saying about me. I have removed the confidential information from the parent that sent it to me.
Ironically - right below it - I received an email from a victim of CSA - only minutes earlier - their name is withheld too. It didn't take much for this parent to realize exactly who was telling the truth.
Read my story - http://www.aparentstruestory.com/ - and also my essay on Admitting my Mistakes.
If you are a parent and getting feed back from Teen Help Sales Reps like this - think twice.This is typical of what CSA and Teen Help Sales Reps tells parents about me - however the Jury Verdict in my favor - the Supreme Court of Appeal in my favor - as well as the $11.3M jury verdict for damages done to me on the Internet - speaks volumes.
True - while I was under the spell of WWASP - I was satisfied - I knew no better - I attended their cult like seminars (in my opinion) and even though I had some ugly gut feelings, I thought I was doing what was best for my daughter. It wasn't until my daughter came home (remember, she was there 6 months and I never saw her or spoke to her) - I only picked her up at 6 months since she ended up in the hospital and no one ever told me - I found out what actually happened to her once she was home several months, she was literally petrified she would have to go back.
True - I fought back, but not legally at the time - I posted our story online - WWASP sued me to get it down - I fought back to prove it was TRUE - and that is why I won! After almost $1M in legal fees - and a jury trial in Utah (their home state) I won - and my story stands strong on the Internet.
The truth prevailed - in all cases - and yes, I was a foolish and desperate parent that fell for their scam - and yes I participated in their referral program - but what they neglected to say is that I gave my referrals to a parent that had two kids in the program. This was all proven in a court of law - in a trial. But it is easier to leave it all out in a lame attempt to discredit me and get an enrollment.
Yes - there were referrals after my daughter was home - that is simply because of their excellence in marketing - there were hundreds of brochures released with my ID Code - so yes - I assume there were referrals in my name after my daughter was home.
Amazing - what stories will they create next? My voice is strong - my book - "Wit's End!" also features my daughter's voice. Hear her first hand experiences.
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:01:46 -0600 (MDT)
From: Mark Peterson <markp@teenhelp.us>
To:
Subject:
Re: enrollment approval
.....
Our schools have a very high success rate. I hope that you will also understand that individual counseling with an adult therapist just isn't effective or necessary for most teens. They do many, many times better in a group therapy setting. We do that at no extra fee. We also have a school (Cross Creek) with all the needed psycological counseling for those teens with serious emotional/psychological disturbances/issues. I would encourage you to look into this further to be sure you are not getting yourself or [name withheld] into a mess or paying more than necessary.We have been at this for a long time, are very good at it and have developed a very efficient program, thus the lower cost and high success.
Years ago Sue Scheff placed her daughter at Carolina Springs but removed her before program completion. She had no complaints at the time, liked our schools and referred parents to them until she was caught doing something unethical and greedy in the parent referral program. She was asked to stop her unethical practices. She then turned about face and started up her own group. You will notice her website refers to it.
Her website has contradictions and false claims all over it. Her parents "true" story is one fabrication after another. Also, to those who know the industry and the schools we represent, the supposed student affidavit "declaration under penalty of perjury pursuant to 28 USCA 1746" totally perjurs itself
............................
Thanks,
Mark Peterson
Admissions Advisor
Teen Help Adolescent Resources800-637-0701 x121
==========================
READ THIS EMAIL BELOW - RECEIVED SHORTLY AFTER MARK PETERSON - SALES REP FOR TEEN HELP - MARK PETERSON DEFENDS A PROGRAM THAT I RECEIVED EMAILS LIKE THIS REGULARLY. VERY SAD. IN MY OPINION.
==========================
From:
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 7:36 PM
To: sue.s@helpyourteens.com
Subject: I attended carolina springs academy
Hi, My name is [name withheld], I was at Carolina Springs for almost 5 months. It was an incredibly abusive, and horrible environment. I know exactly what your daughter went through. I was picked on by other students, and the staff just sat there and laughed, and was also picked on by the staff as well. That is not the worst part though, I was also sexually molested by another student. I was extremely emotionally unstable, and when other students would pick on me, it was all I could do not to hit them. The only reason I didn't was because I knew that I would go to jamaica, or costa rica. I had kids throwing things at me, and jumping out of the showers and throwing a towel over my head, and tossing me around, and the staff could have cared less. But when I would freak out and start crying, I would get in trouble, and they wouldn't. The fact that the "upper levels" could be so called "junior staff," it gave them a power trip, and that was when they would bully me the most. When I first went there, I had just turned 13, and the whole time I was there, I was the youngest. I have tourette's syndrome, and when I would have muscle tics, I would get in trouble for being disruptive, breaking shutdown rules, etc. It was a nightmare. It was probably the worst time of my life. I would also get restrained, they would take me out back to the "OP" building, and one of the staff, which was usually Mr. Gus, would put one hand on my wrist, and the other hand on my elbow, and push my wrist down, and push my elbow up. It seemed like he really got a kick out of this. He would start yelling, and I was crying, and trying with everything that I had not to scream. I knew that if I did, I would most likely get beaten or something like that. I was scared, I was a little kid, for crying out loud. I was constantly threatened by one of the night staff(Mr. Tony) to be taken out behind the OP building, and be given an "old fashioned woodshed beatinng." He would constantly say stuff like " that woodshed's calling your name [name withheld]." I'm sure you understand what I'm talking about. I saw the documentary on wwasp, and I can't imagine what it was like for Steven Frederickson to be in wwasp for five years. Five months alone seemed like forever to me, I would rather die than be there five years. My main concern is that I want to get wwasp shut down, and I won't rest until they do. It's awesome that you won that lawsuit against them, that is a tremendous victory. I'm also looking at filing a lawsuit against them, and doing whatever else it takes to get them shutdown, and all these kids home safely. I would really like to talk to you on the phone, if you get a chance, please call me at XXX-XXX-XXXX, and ask for [name withheld], this is my Dad's office phone. I really look forward to talking with you.
Thank you times a million, [name withheld]
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sue Scheff: Admitting Mistakes - Learn from my mistakes, gain from my knowledge
It is not easy to admit you have made mistakes, especially as a parent when our kids are involved.However, it is so important to take your mistakes and learn from them then move forward.Having an at risk teen can truly put any parent at risk in making rash and wrong decisions.
Learn from my mistakes - slow down, think it through - gain from my knowledge.I am constantly battling the attacks of people I defeated in both my victorious jury trials as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal. Their obsession with me has become, at times, frightening - not of them, but for them. It seems like a true sickness.
At the end of the day - yes, I made a lot of mistakes. I have fought a solid fight and won against one of the largest corporations in the Teen Help Industry - World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASP or WWASPS).
I further held my ground when a former WWASPS parent received $12,500.00 (which I believe was money to help destroy me) - to go on an Internet Smear Campaign of my family, my organization and myself.Winning an unprecedented $11.3M jury verdict for damages for Internet Defamation has become a turning point for people that believe that free speech condones defamation.
My mistakes? Trusting. I trusted Teen Help/WWASPS/Carolina Springs Academy - I was desperate and they preyed on that. My story - http://www.aparentstruestory.com/ will give you a more detailed outline of my mistakes.
My second mistake - which at the time I was was minor - but it seems my enemies want to blow it up; was not proof-reading my bio that was on the P.U.R.E. website in the beginning. I was busy helping parents and had little to do with the website. The erroneous statement that I had graduated college - as well as a Certification of Educational Planner - was not written by me. In my defense, it was corrected the moment I became aware of the mistake.
Now we are in 2008 and through all my trials and tribulations I have become a voice for not only parents struggling with today's teens, but a voice to help create a safer Cyberspace. I have recently meet with my Congresswoman as well as a Florida Senator a few times - and we will continue to fight to provide safety for people in Cyberspace and children.
My first book, Wit's End!, will be out in July 2008. This will be full of inspiration, hope as well as vast resources for people working with today's kids. The second book is in progress, and will be a continuation of hope.
With today's generation of kids - hope and inspiration is something you can never have too much of.I am fortunate that my books are being published by the same people that brought you the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. I feel honored to be part of their family.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sue Scheff is the first parent to DEFEAT WWASPS in a Jury Trial and the Supreme Court of Appeals
Here we are - years after my victories (both a jury trial I won and I won again in the Supreme Court of Appeals when WWASPS appealed the verdict) yet WWASPS still continues to tell some people I lost?
Are you a parent that is at your wit's end - desperate and fall into the trap of urgency to place your child? Think twice - read "A Parent's True Story" - then visit my website at www.helpyourteens.com - My book - Wit's End! will be released in July 2008 - you will get to hear my daugthers voice and her upclose and personal experiences of Carolina Springs Academy.
**********************
Do you have a struggling teen? At risk teens? Defiant Teen? Teen Depression? Problem Teen? Difficult Teen? Teen Rage? Teen Anger? Teen Drug Use? Teen Gangs? Teen Runaways? Bipolar? ADD/ADHD? Disrespectful Teen? Out of Control Teen? Peer Pressure?
Find about more about Boarding Schools, Military Schools, Christian Boarding Schools, Residential Treatment Centers, and Therapeutic Boarding Schools.
Are you a parent that is at your wit's end - desperate and fall into the trap of urgency to place your child? Think twice - read "A Parent's True Story" - then visit my website at www.helpyourteens.com - My book - Wit's End! will be released in July 2008 - you will get to hear my daugthers voice and her upclose and personal experiences of Carolina Springs Academy.
**********************
Do you have a struggling teen? At risk teens? Defiant Teen? Teen Depression? Problem Teen? Difficult Teen? Teen Rage? Teen Anger? Teen Drug Use? Teen Gangs? Teen Runaways? Bipolar? ADD/ADHD? Disrespectful Teen? Out of Control Teen? Peer Pressure?
Find about more about Boarding Schools, Military Schools, Christian Boarding Schools, Residential Treatment Centers, and Therapeutic Boarding Schools.
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