Safety of Residential Treatment and Therapeutic Boarding Schools
Safety at Telos — Our Standards & Commitments
- Telos goes above and beyond state-required minimums.
- Our organization is nationally accredited by the Joint Commission
- Maintained its coveted Gold Status since 2004.
- Telos belongs to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs
- Founding member of Choose Mental Health
Listen to our staff describe how safety is assured at Telos.
Student Safety is Top Priority
I’ve seen some negative press about treatment programs. Why is that?
While out of home treatment settings have been a positive experience for most, there are some who have experienced abuse or neglect. In the 1980s and 90s many programs operated under an antiquated behavior modification approach, using consequences and rewards to shape behavior. Sometimes these interventions were implemented by inexperienced or untrained staff. Some programs had little or no traditional therapy. Others were run by faith-based organizations with a strong religious agenda. In these settings some young people were misunderstood, mistreated, or abused.
Recently the celebrity Paris Hilton, who was placed in a behavior modification program in the 1990s, joined other survivors to raise awareness of institutional abuse. This garnered media attention resulting in legislation passed in Utah and other states to increase regulation and oversight of therapeutic programs.
Because media coverage favors salacious stories of harm, most people have a lopsided view of residential treatment. The facts about ethical, quality care rarely, if ever, make headlines.
Have programs changed since the 1990s?
Yes. Like every other profession and practice, treatment programs have evolved over the past 30 years. Generally, treatment programs are now state licensed, evidence-based, overseen by medical professionals and licensed mental health clinicians, focus on compassionate care, and are accredited by national associations dedicated to safety, quality, and effectiveness.
Student Safety is Critical
Does abuse in institutional settings still exist?
Some young people continue to emerge from therapeutic settings having had negative experiences. Telos believes programs unable to treat youth safely should be corrected or closed. All young people, especially those who are vulnerable, have a right to safe, humane mental health care.
How does the State of Utah assure programs are safe?
All therapeutic programs in Utah are licensed by the State Office of Licensing, a division of the Department of Human Services. Programs follow stringent safety and effectiveness standards called Congregate Care Core and Categorical rules. Specially trained State licensors are assigned to inspect and oversee all Utah programs. These licensors inspect each program four times per year. Half of these inspections are planned, the other half are unannounced, assuring programs are evaluated as they “really are.” Additionally, programs are required to report safety related incidents to the Office of Licensing, which investigates all critical incidents. Programs that can’t maintain a track record of safety and effectiveness are sanctioned or shut down. The last five years of Telos’ State Inspection results can be found here for the youth program and here for the young adult program.
Student Safety at Telos
Is Telos safe?
Yes. Telos was founded in 2004 by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and four Masters-level mental health clinicians. Having witnessed the problems and limitations of programs in the 90s, Telos founders developed a treatment environment characterized by evidence-based best practices, clinical sophistication, and a philosophy that puts inspiring interpersonal relationships first. Telos doesn’t have a complex system of punishments and rewards designed to shape behavior. Instead, students are treated with the utmost dignity and respect. As they learn more about themselves, students are invited and inspired to experiment with new beliefs and behaviors that support greater happiness. Cutting edge therapeutic modalities are used to teach skills and build competencies, always with the best interest of the students in mind.
Telos staff are at the top of their profession. The clinicians, teachers, and administrators are professionally trained and fully licensed. Telos supervisory staff are composed of paraprofessionals who are:
- Certified in CPR and 1stAid
- Cleared to work with youth by a national background check
- Trained in the latest de-escalation and safety techniques
- Enrolled in Clinical Deep Dive Training Levels 1, 2 and 3
- Engaged in ongoing weekly trainings on the 10 Pillars and Mentor Essentials
- Overseen by licensed clinicians
Telos goes above and beyond state-required minimums. Our organization is accredited by the Joint Commission and has maintained its highest Gold Status since 2004. Telos belongs to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs and is a founding member of Choose Mental Health, a nonprofit network of programs providing a client-centered higher standard of care. Telos hosts politicians, legislators, and visiting dignitaries interested in learning what state of the art residential treatment looks like.
Telos has never had a known incident of abuse or neglect. The campus is watched over by active owner-operators who guard the safety of their students as they would their own children.
Is Telos effective?
Telos is one of 19 national programs that maintain NATSAP’s Research Designated Program Gold Status. Our outcome data is collected using standardized, valid scientific assessment tools handled by third-party researchers at the University of New Hampshire. With thousands of data points, an ongoing 20-year study demonstrates the effectiveness of our model.
In addition to the testimonials on Telos, we encourage you to visit the therapeutic program alumni movement www.thrivingnow.me to hear more success stories from those who have benefitted from therapeutic programs across the nation.
