March 28th:
I'll be reading from Reform at Victory and taking questions at the Northwest Freethought Conference. The conference is at Portland State University, March 27-29.
See http://www.nfaconference.org/ There are several speakers and workshops. I will be speaking on Saturday, March 28th at 1:30pm. Please visit the site for more details.
March 31st:
I'll be at Reed College in Portland, Oregon giving a lecture on the Perils of the Faith Based Initiative. I'll then do a reading and take questions. This event starts at 7pm. For more, visit their web site: http://rsasecular.wordpress.com
At both events, I will discuss the recent developments going on in Fort Dodge, Iowa involving the man who owned and operated Victory Christian Academy, Mike Palmer. It should be a lively event.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Iowa writing licensing rules for unlicensed facility...
Here is more information about the recent discovery of an unlicenced Baptist facility in Fort Dodge, Iowa that journalist Abigail McWilliam stumbled upon while doing research for the articles that came out last month. The State of Iowa has taken action and is currently writing licensing rules for the facility. Good work Abigail! To read the other articles, scroll down, or go to the media/publicity link at the left of this web site's home page.
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513612.html?nav=5010
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513612.html?nav=5010
HOUSE PASSES TEEN RESIDENTIAL PROTECTION BILL
It's a start:
HOUSE PASSES TEEN RESIDENTIAL PROTECTION BILL
On February 23, 2009, the House of Representatives passed under suspension of the rules, by a vote of 295 102, H.R. 911, the Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-CA), now moves to the Senate where no similar legislation has been introduced. In June 2008, the House voted 318-103 to pass the identical measure.
The bill, endorsed by the National Child Abuse Coalition, would set standards, with enforcement provisions, to prevent child abuse and neglect in teen residential programs, including therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness camps, boot camps, and behavior modification facilities. While residential treatment facilities designed to help children with extreme behavioral problems,
including substance abuse and mental health problems, may provide safe and effective services
to children and their families, many exist without any state monitoring or regulation.
The legislation would create new national safety standards for private residential programs enforced by HHS and the states, prevent deceptive marketing by residential programs, and hold programs accountable for violating the law. States, through provisions added to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), would be required to set similar standards of protection and investigate reports of maltreatment in these facilities. The bill increases the authorization for CAPTA to $235 million for each of fiscal year 2010-2014, to accommodate state responsibilities.
During debate on the bill, Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA), ranking Republican on the Education and Labor Committee which sent the bill to the floor, expressed regret that the legislation being considered under suspension of the rules barred an opportunity to offer amendments. He cited a particular interest in including provisions which would protect parental rights by ensuring that parents are fully informed of and involved with medical decisions made at these facilities.
McKeon said that he supported the bill, but he was disappointed that the process has been short-circuited.
HOUSE PASSES TEEN RESIDENTIAL PROTECTION BILL
On February 23, 2009, the House of Representatives passed under suspension of the rules, by a vote of 295 102, H.R. 911, the Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-CA), now moves to the Senate where no similar legislation has been introduced. In June 2008, the House voted 318-103 to pass the identical measure.
The bill, endorsed by the National Child Abuse Coalition, would set standards, with enforcement provisions, to prevent child abuse and neglect in teen residential programs, including therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness camps, boot camps, and behavior modification facilities. While residential treatment facilities designed to help children with extreme behavioral problems,
including substance abuse and mental health problems, may provide safe and effective services
to children and their families, many exist without any state monitoring or regulation.
The legislation would create new national safety standards for private residential programs enforced by HHS and the states, prevent deceptive marketing by residential programs, and hold programs accountable for violating the law. States, through provisions added to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), would be required to set similar standards of protection and investigate reports of maltreatment in these facilities. The bill increases the authorization for CAPTA to $235 million for each of fiscal year 2010-2014, to accommodate state responsibilities.
During debate on the bill, Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA), ranking Republican on the Education and Labor Committee which sent the bill to the floor, expressed regret that the legislation being considered under suspension of the rules barred an opportunity to offer amendments. He cited a particular interest in including provisions which would protect parental rights by ensuring that parents are fully informed of and involved with medical decisions made at these facilities.
McKeon said that he supported the bill, but he was disappointed that the process has been short-circuited.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Recent Media Coverage for Reform at Victory
Fort Dodge, Iowa reporter Abigail McWilliam, who works for The Messenger newspaper, released four stories (see links below) in last Friday's paper that cover facts associated with unlicensed reform schools, among other things. In her search for information she found that there is a Roloff Home, similar to Victory, in Fort Dodge from which many teens have run away to escape abuse. Fort Dodge is also home to Mike Palmer, the man who owned and operated Victory, and is Brother P in my book. Thus far, the community has been very supportive of Reform at Victory and in seeing that Palmer does not open another reform school in their community. They are now aware of his checkered past. It pays to speak out.
These links are also posted at the Media/Publicity link at the left of this home page.
Reform at Victory: Michele Ulriksen, former student of Palmer's speaks out
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513244.html?nav=5010
Troubling Legacy: Unlicensed reform school found in Fort Dodge, Iowa
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513243.html
Ramirez: "He Said it was God's Will" Rape victim of Palmer's speaks out
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513246.html
A Common Thread: Scandals associated with Brother Lester Roloff and Roloff Homes
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513245.html
These links are also posted at the Media/Publicity link at the left of this home page.
Reform at Victory: Michele Ulriksen, former student of Palmer's speaks out
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513244.html?nav=5010
Troubling Legacy: Unlicensed reform school found in Fort Dodge, Iowa
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513243.html
Ramirez: "He Said it was God's Will" Rape victim of Palmer's speaks out
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513246.html
A Common Thread: Scandals associated with Brother Lester Roloff and Roloff Homes
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/513245.html
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