US: Troubling Treatment: Efforts are underway to reform teen behavioral programs
American Bar Association Journal – July 27, 2021
The “troubled teen” industry, as the network of therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers, religious academies, wilderness programs and drug rehabilitation centers is known, dates back at least 50 years. Operated by private companies, nonprofits and faith-based groups, these facilities promise to help youth with problems related to behavior, addiction and eating disorders, and in some cases sexual orientation and gender identity. They intend to provide a less-restrictive alternative to incarceration or hospitalization and typically let youths take classes on-site to continue their education. Although a number of people say these programs helped to positively change their lives, critics of the industry argue that no federal oversight or consistent regulations among states put vulnerable children at greater risk.
https://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/efforts-are-underway-to-reform-teen-behavioral-programs