A source has revealed that last night, Jan. 30,2009, Pathway Family Center in Southfield, Michigan held an open meeting despite telling me, and two news reporters that they were closed as of different dates.

I called and thought that I had for sure confirmed their closure date. On Jan. 28th, 2009 I reported that Pathway Family Center would be closing their Michigan facility on Friday, January 30th, 2009, as I had confirmed through a phone call to the center. Link here: http://pathwayfamilycenter.fornits.com/pathway-family-centers-is-closing-in-its-southfield-michigan-facility/

A spokeswoman for Pathway Family Center, Laurie Franke-Polz told the Detroit Michigan’s free press that Pathway’s closing date for the Southfield location was on January, 23, 2009. Link here:http://www.freep.com/article/20090129/NEWS03/90129102/Southfield+substance-abuse+center+for+teens+closes

In a Cincinnati broadcast of Channel 9(Wcpo, Cincinnati) the I-team’s Hagit Limor  reported that Pathway Family Centers closing date to be on Thursday, January, 29, 2009. Link Here: http://www.wcpo.com/content/news/localshows/iteam/story/I-Team-Drug-Center-Closes/eYjOAhA4SkGMq0Lhbfd8rg.cspx

Dear Pathway Family Center,

So, which is it? Did you close on the 29th or the 30th of January? What did you have to hide from Hagit Limor and the reporter from Detroits Free Press?

I noticed that the Detroit Free Press has done many Pathway Family Center friendly articles for you as advertised on your website. Is the Detroit press there in Michigan possibly covering something up for you, like a true closing date?

What say you?

Pathway Family Centers has some explaining to do.

Pahtway Family Center you are not being honest with the group. Pathway Family Center you have not performed a searching and fearless moral inventory of yourselves. I am seeing that the “program” is good enough for the clients there but not for the organizational hierarchy.

Pathway Family Center; what say you?

sincerely,

Deprogrammed

I personally called and spoke with “Pam”, the intake coordinator at Pathway Family Center at it’s Southfield, Michigan branch recently, and was told that Pathways is closing their Michigan facility as of this coming Friday, January 30, 2009. The reason that “Pam” stated for this current closure of the facility was given as “funding”.  I do not believe this to be the whole reason considering that Pathways has recently had a barrage of complaints to Pathways Michigan certifying body, as well as, Michigan’s health board.

I also learned through this same conversation that the center will be referring clients to it’s Indianapolis, Indiana facility.  This seems to possibly be another duck and run situation for Pathway Family Center, considering they closed down their Ohio branch in late 2008 under similar controversies.

Over the past four years there have been many public complaints about Pathway Family Centers treatment model,  that is based on the same treatment model as the infamously abusive treatment program Straight Incorporated. This is not all that surprising considering that Pathways CEO and Founder, Teri Nissley is a former program parent of Straight Inc.

Teri Nissley has publicly touted the treatment model as good for children despite many instances that prove otherwise.

I will be awaiting further confirmation of this closure as I work to obtain confirmation that Pathway Family Center has surrendered their license to their certifying entity.

Please stay tuned for more coverage.

The IRS has formally denied a whistleblower reward to a survivor. This decision was made after information was supplied by the survivor to the IRS through its whistleblower program which, in turn, ultimately led to an IRS investigation of Tri State Drug Rehabilitation and Counseling Program, Inc. (TSDRCP) alleged tax fraud. The IRS will not disclose details surrounding this judgment other than saying that it could be for a number of reasons including insufficient amount of money involved. The IRS changed its “whistleblower” rules a few years ago. This involved increasing the amount of money that would have to be owed in penalties and back-taxes in order to qualify for a reward. Therefore TSDCRP was most likely not “qualified” in this regard. TSDRCP d.b.a. Kids Helping Kids (KHK) in Milford Ohio was placed under the IRS investigation as a result of allegations that it had failed to file annual reports in Kentucky for over 4 consecutive years beginning in 2001. According to the 2006 form 990 submitted to the IRS by TSDRCP (KHK), the amount in question was $2500.

At the very least, this shows that TSDRCP (KHK) was operating outside the laws of the tax codes and other corporate responsibility rules and regulations. Pathway Family Center currently faces allegations of tax related improprieties. Only time can tell what transpires in this case. The over $4Million gross income it reported last year certainly falls inside the realm of the minimum requirements for whistleblowers.”

TSDRCP was formerly STRAIGHT, Midwest in 1981 while STRAIGHT, Inc. was headquarted in St. Petersburg FL.

Since June of 2008 there has been a client that has been enrolled in the drug rehabilitation/behavior modification center of Pathway Family Center, and literally stuck on the programs first phase/level for over six months. This has been happening at the programs Southfield, Michigan location.  It has been reported recently that Michigan authorities are considering removing the child client from Pathway.

Apparently this type of treatment has become a troublesome pattern for Pathway, to keep a new client on phase/level one for six months or more at a time.  For those of you who are not exactly familiar with the ramifications of what a six month or more stay on first phase/level means for a client at Pathway Family Center, I will attempt to paint the picture more clear for you.

The child client being subjected to first phase/level for six months or more means that they first and foremost have not been able to hold an unmonitored talk or conversation with their parent(s).  It also means that the child client has not been able to even attempt to call their parent(s), email them or even write them a letter via regular mail.  This is a very troublesome occurance considering the structure of the program: http://www.isaccorp.org/khkandstraight.asp

http://www.isaccorp.org/pathway/handbook.pdf

This particular client has not been able to speak to their biological mother, who has joint custody with the childs father, the whole time.  Pathway Family Center has denied this mother her inalienable right to visit with her child for over six months.

The press release about this incident was released by ISAC(International Survivors Action Committee) yesterday on http://fornits.com at http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=26483

Here is a copy of the press release below:

ISAC Corporation reports that a 14 year old boy has been detained against his will in an outpatient drug treatment program in Southfield MI since June 6, 2008. The name of the program is Pathway Family Center. Since that date, this boy has been residing away from his parents in unregulated, locked “host homes” run by the parents of clients in the program. Additionally, this program uses a level system, the first of which prevents clients from having privacy in the bathroom, attending school, reading, using the phone, watching TV, listening to the radio and a host of other restrictions that are consistent with the systematic thought reform methods utilized in its related program called STRAIGHT, Inc. That program was reported to have been closed in 1993, however, Pathway Family Center continued to treat clients from STRAIGHT, Inc. using the same methods and principles. There is at least one staff member from that program currently employed by the Southfield facility. Pathway also operates two other facilities located in Indiana. The facility they operated in Milford Ohio was closed earlier this month.

The mother of this boy has joint legal/physical custody of her son and his father orchestrated his placement against her wishes. They have been divorced for nearly a decade. Pathway Family Center has repeatedly refused the mother’s request to speak to her son in private. According to the policies of the program, the client must send complaints through what is known as a “COC” chain of command. If this complaint is deemed viable by the staff, it progresses through the chain to an appropriate level. At no point is the client able to call CPS or DCH to complain. Level one is the most physically and psychologically abusive portion of the program. To be kept on this level for over 6 months is nothing short of pure torture. This boy is being kept from his schooling and away from his mother who is trying to help him get out of this situation.

This boy must be immediately removed from this program. At the very least, he can stay with his grandparents until the parents come to some resolution regarding his future. The mother is willing to speak to someone, as is a psychologist who saw the boy earlier this month who has indicated a willingness to speak to the media regarding this issue.

ISAC Corporation is a 501c3 organization dedicated to exposing and reporting abuse and fraud perpetrated in privately owned drug rehabilitation programs, behavior modification and boarding schools. We retain a substantial amount of documentation that supports allegations of abuse and fraud regarding Pathway Family Center in each state in which it has operated its program. This is the first time a Pathway Family Center client parent, who retains joint physical/legal custody, has come forward to ask for our help. Her rights are being denied, her son is being tortured and Pathway Family Center is getting paid a substantial amount of money in the process.

In reply to this letter, the Sheriff of Porter County, David Lain says:

Mr. Earnshaw:

Thank you for your email regarding Pathway. I am sensitive to your concerns and have forwarded them to the local Pathway office. Please understand that addiction has affected far too many families and we as a society must explore a variety of methods to overcome this scourge. That said, I would never advocate harming someone in order to save them. I am not aware of such being the case at Pathway. Should your allegations be substantiated I of course would have to rethink my position.

Sincerely,

Sheriff David Lain

Anyone that is inclined to help this client and mother please contact Michigan authorities as soon as possible.  This is a public outrage that this is even still happening!

Michigan authorities:  Michigan Dept. of community health:Licensing Division – Licensing Boards
(517) 335-0918 (517) 373-2179  Health Investigation Division, Main Number, Lansing
(517) 373-1737 (517) 335-4886  Investigation Section, Detroit (313) 456-0300 (313) 456-0451

Health Regulatory Division (517) 373-9196 (517) 241-2389  Allegation Section (517) 373-9196 (517) 241-2389  Enforcement Section (517) 373-4972 (517) 241-1431

Email: bhpinfo@michigan.gov

Southfield, Michigan Police Dept.  Chief of Police: (248) 796-5300  Detective Bureau: (248) 796-5540  Mayor’s Office: Telephone:(248)796-5100 Fax:(248)796-5105 E-mail:blawrence@cityofsouthfield.com

Southfield, City Council: Phone: (248) 796-5150 FAX: (248) 796-5155 Southfield City Attorney’s Office: The main office number is (248) 796-5770

Michigan Office of the Attorney General: Email: miag@michigan.gov  (313)456-0240 Fax:(313)456-0061

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

A series of emails have been released by the

International Survivors Action Committee about the current status
of operations taking place at the Milford, Ohio branch of
Pathway Family Centers, known as Kids Helping Kids.
According to emails from Jim Lapczynski,
(a legal representative employed with ODADAS, Ohio Dept.
of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services) Pathway Family Centers
has decided to close their Milford, Ohio
location of Pathways.

This decision comes to light after over a month of emails and
reporting, as well as, investigating of this particular issue.
Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Beatty is stating as follows:

“The purpose of this email is to inform you of KidsHelping Kids, a Pathway Family Center’s (UPI# 12497) intention to temporarily discontinue services in Ohio. This includes both assessments and all clinical treatment. Also as indicated, our certification will be returned via mail.”

Well, I don’t know about you but I am going to make sure that I see that returned license in person!

The program and it’s chief officer are placing blame for this current event on today’s struggling economy, and denying that anything else could have contributed to it’s closure.  This I do find hard to believe considering that Pathway Family Centers has been under heavy scrutiny for four years now.  They became even more diluted with scrutiny under the public’s watchful eye as soon as they obtained control of Kids Helping Kids.

Stay Tuned! We will have more about this story as soon as it comes in.

Apparently, Pathway Family Centers thinks that they can employ false advertising as a method to tout their program.  On their website they claim that they, and I quote, “Pathway announces plans to implement the next phase of our strategic plan by expanding our 4th Midwest treatment center.”  The very last part of their statement, which I have highlighted in red is troublesome considering that they already admitted to their certifying body( ODADAS, Ohio Dept. Of alcohol and Drug Addiction Services) that they no longer treat children at the Milford, Ohio facility.  See quote from Monica Mertens, executive director of Pathway Family Center, Milford, Ohio.  “Pathway Family Center no longer has a treatment center in Ohio.  We only do assessments and marketing at our site.
Hopefully, new funding will be received and we will be able to open back up.”

Well, Pathway Family Center is still claiming on their website that they have four midwest treatment centers, in which they really do not.  This is not honest advertising, is it?  You decide!

Pathway Family Centers, what say you?

Monica Mertens, what say you?

Teri Nissley, What say you?

There are four locations still listed on their website:

(1.) MICHIGAN Village Office Center     (2.) INDIANA Castleton Park      (3.) NORTHWEST INDIANA/CHICAGO AREA

(4.) Ohio

Please also see ISAC for further proof that Pathway is not operating as an actual “treatment facility” in Milford, Ohio at this link here: http://www.isaccorp.org/pathway/pfcohionotclosed.pdf

http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php/contents/comments/khk_protestors_face_the_elements_in_columbus/

Protester outside of the state building in Columbus, Ohio

On Friday March 31, 2006, protesters from Ohio and other states gathered in Columbus, Ohio to express their opposition to Kids Helping Kids (KHK), a drug treatment program located in Milford Ohio. The purpose of this event was to inform the public and Ohio government officials that ODADAS routinely fails to adequately investigate KHK client complaints, to persuade Ohio officials to aggressively investigate KHK, to educate the public about KHK’s systematic use of unethical, questionable, abusive, and harmful drug treatment methods, and to demand that KHK be held accountable for such intolerable so-called treatment methods.

Before the noon protest started, WBNS-Channel 10 reporter Eve Mueller interviewed the three Straight Survivors at the station. All three protesters explained to Ms. Mueller how the Straight, Inc. treatment model, currently used by KHK, could emotionally, physically, and psychologically injure children. Afterward, the protesters headed downtown to the State House grounds where they assembled at the McKinley Memorial in Capitol Square. Despite rainy conditions and continuous 35 mph wind gusts, determined protesters continued with the event.

WBNS-Channel 10 and WCMH-Channel 4 news crews both arrived around 12:15 or so and started filming the protest activities and conducting additional on-location interviews. Channel 10 reporter Eve Mueller and a cameraman also accompanied one protester to the Office of the First Lady Hope Taft, to film that protester as he personally hand delivered a letter which outlined how the treatment used by KHK abuses kids and to call for an end to the abuse.

As all the protesters held signs such as “KHK Scares Kids Silent” and “ODADAS Ignores Abuse, passers-by frequently stopped to ask questions. One protester used a bullhorn to repeat the signs messages. The same energetic protestor with the bullhorn also generated a great deal of interest by expressing other uncompromising messages such as Defend your children, investigate Kids Helping Kids and Kids Helping Kids uses coercive thought-reform techniques to brainwash the youth. Citizens who showed interest in the protester’s messages often shared similar stories and experiences. Others, who had never even heard about KHK, either expressed concern or outrage toward KHK practices or encouraged the group to continue their efforts. At one point, an Ohio state trooper stopped by to confirm that the group had indeed obtained a permit and to let the protesters know that he thought they were promoting a “good cause.  He wished them luck then left. Another interested citizen even volunteered to hold a sign for about a half hour. Only 1 pedestrian (wearing a pro-Bush shirt) thought that “maybe they need that (KHK tactics) to get in line.  The KHK supporter left agreeing to disagree but remained friendly in spite of his opposition to our message.

By the end of the day, the group had distributed an entire box of literature. So, after 5 hours of braving the rain and unrelenting tropical storm force winds, the protesters packed up and headed off to eat and watch the 6 o’clock news featuring their story. The protest was a resounding success.

October 15, 2008 – Pathway Family Center Protest

http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php/contents/comments/pathway_family_center_protest/

This actually happened

July 22nd, 2008

http://www.fornits.com/?p=15

July 15, 2008 – Straight, Inc. and KHK survivors protest locally

http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php/contents/comments/straight_inc_and_khk_survivors_protest_locally/

December 02, 2007 – Survivors Protest Kids Helping Kids

http://www.cincinnatibeacon.com/index.php/contents/comments/survivors_protest_kids_helping_kids/

Getting Tough on Private Prisons for Teens

Residential programs for troubled teenagers tell parents they’ll cure kids’ behavior problems. But Congress may be cracking down after allegations of abuse and a GAO report that at least 10 teens have died in these facilities.

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=getting_tough_on_private_prisons_for_teens

Feb 13, 2006: Kids Helping Kids Protest

http://www.wcpo.com/content/news/localshows/iteam/story.aspx?content_id=758364a1-aa64-41c0-a435-cedc4dc8bf61

I salute you for the courage that you have shown in confronting Pathway Family Center. I’ve watched you over the last year with a growing sense of admiration. I’ve wanted to come attend a protest myself, but when you live on another continent it makes for one heck of a commute.

Just last night I was talking to Deprogrammed and offered to help set up a central blog for your efforts. The hope is that this blog will drive its way up to the top of the google ratings.

More information will be arriving shortly, please be patient as we tinker with the themes.

In order to make this blog a success I need the following content:

Links to articles

Links to youtube videos

regular updates and press releases

testimonials of your experiences at the protests and during your time in Pathways.

I’ll post an email for items to be considered for posting in a bit. I do not want to use my own personal email as it is cluttered with all sorts of things, and I’m afraid that your submissions might get lost in the shuffle.