Facility profile Iowa

Clarinda Academy

Closed Clarinda, Iowa

Clarinda Academy was a residential treatment center in Clarinda, Iowa, operated by Sequel TSI. It operated from 1992 to 2021.

About Clarinda Academy

It opened in 1992. Youth Services International opened Clarinda Academy in February 1992 as its first academy (YSI website, 1997); in 1999 it became the first facility run by the newly founded Sequel (Senate Finance Committee, 2024, p. 27), which closed it in February 2021.source 1, source 2 It was taken over by Sequel Youth & Family Services in 1999.source It was owned and operated by Sequel.source

Its address was 1820 N 16th St, Clarinda, IA 51632.source Stays lasted 6 to 12 months.source Phoenix Program for girls 12-18 opened January 2003.source

Incidents on record

  1. November 2015 Lawsuit

    A civil lawsuit alleged Clarinda Academy and Clarinda Youth Corp. were negligent in hiring a counselor who sexually assaulted a 17-year-old in November 2015.source

  2. February 2016 Sexual abuse

    In February 2016 a 17-year-old resident reported sexual abuse by a night staff member who was charged with a felony and convicted of an aggravated misdemeanor of sexual misconduct with a juvenile.source

  3. September 2016 Criminal charge

    In September 2016 a 19-year-old resident alleged sexual touching by a 39-year-old staff member who was charged with felony exploitation; charges were dismissed when the alleged victim would not testify.source

  4. August 2017 Sexual abuse

    In August 2017 forcible sodomy and lascivious conduct with a minor was reported involving an 18-year-old and a 37-year-old staff member; unclear whether charged.source

  5. December 5, 2017 Sexual abuse

    On December 5, 2017 a 15-year-old male student alleged a female staff member performed oral sex on him; per Iowa court records she was never charged.source

  6. 2018 Incident

    Records showed Clarinda staff forged student signatures on service plans after a runaway incident was reported to the state.source

  7. October 2018 Investigation

    Disability Rights Washington reported in October 2018 that Washington foster youth at Clarinda Academy alleged physical abuse and painful restraints; Washington then said it would stop placing children there.source

  8. December 2018 Restraint

    Iowa Department of Human Services documents (Dec 2018) showed some Clarinda staff slammed children to the ground and injured them while punishing them.source

News coverage

  • The Imprint Jul 22, 2025 Closure

    ‘State-sponsored Abandonment’ No More: California Stops Paying for Adoptees Sent to Out-of-State Treatment Centers

    California has ceased funding residential treatment placements for adopted foster youth in other states, closing what advocates termed a dangerous loophole. The decision follows revelations that hundreds of children were sent to facilities with histories of violations, including several since-shuttered programs. At least 676 adoptees were placed in out-of-state centers since 2020, with many attending problematic facilities. Among them were Sequel Youth and Family Services programs like Iowa’s Clarinda Academy and Utah’s Red Rock Canyon School, both closed after abuse scandals. Other placements included Utah’s Havenwood Academy, disciplined for improper restraints, and Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center, sanctioned for excessive punishments. Three Points Ranch ceased operations in 2025 following violations, while White River Academy continues accepting California-funded youth under existing contracts.

  • KMAland Jun 16, 2023 Event

    Clarinda board renews Clarinda Academy agreement

    The Clarinda School Board renewed an agreement with the state of Iowa to continue using the facilities of the former Clarinda Academy, which closed in 2021. The district utilizes the gymnasium, athletic fields, and parking areas for school sports and community youth programs.

  • APM Reports Dec 3, 2021 Closure

    Sequel to close New Mexico youth facility amid more abuse allegations | APM Reports

    Sequel Youth & Family Services agreed to close Bernalillo Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after a state investigation documented physical abuse, excessive restraints, and inadequate supervision of autistic residents. The closure follows multiple prior investigations and the shutdown of several other Sequel facilities nationwide.

  • The Imprint Nov 2, 2021 Corporate

    Federal Watchdogs Find Abuse at For-Profit Youth Residential Programs in 18 States

    A report by the National Disability Rights Network documents widespread civil rights violations, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and inappropriate use of psychotropic medication across for-profit youth residential programs in 18 states. The findings highlight systemic issues driven by profit-seeking models, prompting calls for increased federal oversight and accountability.

  • sfchronicle.com Feb 8, 2021 General

    After abuse probe, another Sequel-run program that housed California youth will close (2021-02-08)

  • nonpareilonline.com Feb 8, 2021 General

    Clarinda Academy to close (2021-02-08)

  • WOWT Feb 5, 2021 Closure

    Clarinda Academy Residential Facility for Youth Announces Closure

    Clarinda Academy, a residential facility for at-risk youth operated by Sequel Youth and Family Services, is closing following the termination of its contract by its owner. The closure follows multi-year investigations by media outlets into allegations of abuse and inappropriate physical restraints at the facility.

  • NBC News Feb 5, 2021 Closure

    After years of abuse allegations, Iowa youth home to close

    Sequel Youth & Family Services announced the voluntary closure of Clarinda Academy in Iowa following multiple investigations by state agencies and watchdogs. The facility faced documentation falsification, physical restraints, unsanitary conditions, and allegations of staff misconduct, including sexual abuse and physical assault.

  • NBC News Dec 16, 2020 Expose

    Sequel Youth Facilities Face Abuse Allegations Amid Profit Claims

    The article reports that Sequel youth facilities have generated significant revenue while facing allegations of abuse toward children in their care. It highlights concerns about the facilities' operational practices and oversight mechanisms.

  • Mother Jones Jul 1, 2020 Expose

    Lawsuit and Investigation Detail History of Abuse and Death at Lakeside Academy

    Following the death of 16-year-old Cornelius Fredericks at Lakeside Academy in Michigan after staff used a prolonged physical restraint, a lawsuit was filed detailing a pattern of negligence, improper restraint usage, and safety violations at the facility. The operator, Sequel Youth and Family Services, faced increased scrutiny regarding systemic abuse, lack of oversight, and safety incidents across multiple residential facilities nationwide.

  • Refinery29 Jun 25, 2020 Lawsuit

    Death of 16-Year-Old at Lakeside Academy Leads to Legal Action

    A 16‑year‑old resident of Lakeside Academy died from restraint asphyxia after staff applied physical restraint for an extended period. The incident prompted charges of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse against staff members and a lawsuit by the family seeking damages. The facility has since lost its license and staff have been terminated.

  • The Des Moines Register Jul 18, 2019 Expose

    Firm accused of abusing troubled teens in Iowa, elsewhere under fire again

    Sequel Youth and Family Services faced renewed scrutiny from advocacy groups and state agencies following allegations of sexual abuse, excessive physical restraint, and policy violations at several of its facilities. While the company announced the closure of two locations in Utah following riots and investigations, facilities in Iowa continued to operate despite documented incidents of staff members using physical force and prolonged seclusion against residents.

16 more articles

Staff

Administration

  • Paul Cade

  • Jeff Nichols

    Former Executive Director (1999, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  • Jeff Nichols

Notable staff

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Ownership

  • Sequel Youth and Family Services operated 1999-2021
  • Youth Services International operated 1992-1999

Documents

Documents on file (7)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (1)

From the Unsilenced archive

34 documents about Clarinda Academy that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Clarinda Academy.

Documents (33)
News (1)

From SCIAD NET

1 document about Clarinda Academy that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps it on Google Drive, where it opens.

Wiki entries

Materials and links

External links

A program's own website is linked as an archived snapshot, so the page reads as it did when it was captured.

Government records

5 of these from SCIAD NET.

Survivor posts and discussion

Reference and research

2 of these from SCIAD NET.

Archived pages

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction