Facility profile Utah

Discovery Ranch South

Also known as Discovery Ranch for Girls

Open Cedar City, Utah

Discovery Ranch South is a residential treatment center in Cedar City, Utah, operated by Ascent Companies. It has operated since 2013.

About Discovery Ranch South

Girls program of Discovery Ranch, moved from the Mapleton campus in 2013 and marketed as Discovery Ranch for Girls. It was run by Ascent Company.source

It was affiliated with RedCliff Ascent, Discovery Academy, Discovery Connections and Oxbow Academy.source 26 rule violations substantiated between December 2023 and June 2026, many repeat findings on critical incident reporting, supervision and staffing ratios.

It joined NATSAP in 2013.source

Timeline

From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.

2013202020232024202520132025

  1. 2013

    1. Opened

      Opened in Cedar City, Utah

  2. 2020

    1. Incident

      Sexual abuse

      A 2020 survivor report says a male staff member was fired for a months-long sexual relationship with an underage resident; no further information was found.

      Sexual abuse

      source

  3. 2023

    1. IncidentDecember 6, 2023

      Incident

      A client ingested non-edible objects on six occasions requiring emergency room visits; supervision finding

    2. Inspections

      State inspectors recorded a serious finding

      Hospitalisation.

      State inspectors recorded a serious finding

      Dec 6, 2023: This led to multiple trips to the emergency room for check up.

      Read the findings

  4. 2024

    1. IncidentDecember 31, 2024

      Incident

      Eight violations in one complaint investigation, including 5 staff to 22 clients, a client unsupervised about three hours, meals used as punishment, and two...

      Incident December 31, 2024

      Eight violations in one complaint investigation, including 5 staff to 22 clients, a client unsupervised about three hours, meals used as punishment, and two clients self-injuring with a sharp object from the staff office

  5. 2025

    1. IncidentFebruary 12, 2025

      Incident

      A client with a history of sexual misconduct able to act sexually with a peer

    2. IncidentMarch 20, 2025

      Incident

      Two clients went missing and were marked present; not reported

Serious violations

What state inspectors found and confirmed here, in their own words. Each finding was picked out of the inspection reports and checked by our team before it was listed.

Hospitalisation Inspected Dec 6, 2023

This led to multiple trips to the emergency room for check up.

From the UT inspection report. Out of compliance, focus inspection

Federal funding

Federal money this program received, as government records, congressional reports and news coverage show it.

Medicaid

  • 2026: Listed by Montana's Medicaid program among the out-of-state psychiatric residential treatment facilities it pays for, in April 2026. source

Paycheck Protection Program loan

  • 2020: Received a Paycheck Protection Program loan of $350,000 to $1 million, approved April 7, 2020, reporting 151 jobs. source

Incidents on record

  1. 2020 Sexual abuse

    A 2020 survivor report says a male staff member was fired for a months-long sexual relationship with an underage resident; no further information was found.source

  2. December 6, 2023

    A client ingested non-edible objects on six occasions requiring emergency room visits; supervision finding

  3. December 31, 2024

    Eight violations in one complaint investigation, including 5 staff to 22 clients, a client unsupervised about three hours, meals used as punishment, and two clients self-injuring with a sharp object from the staff office

  4. February 12, 2025

    A client with a history of sexual misconduct able to act sexually with a peer

  5. March 20, 2025

    Two clients went missing and were marked present; not reported

  6. June 9-10, 2026: late critical incident reporting cited twice as repeat noncompliance

  7. Abuse

    Survivors report food deprivation, verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and solitary confinement used as punishment.source

Staff

Administration

Notable staff

Staff who came from other programs

  • Andrea Burgess: Executive Director of RedCliff Ascent from 1996
  • Jennifer Hedrick: Clinical Director at Moonridge Academy and RedCliff Ascent
  • Jack Hinman: Clinical Director of Sunrise RTC; later Executive Director of Moonridge Academy and Kolob Canyon RTC
  • Clint Firth: teacher at Logan River Academy

Licensing and inspections

License category
Residential Treatment
Licensed capacity
60
License expires
08/31/2027
Licensing action
Licensed
Phone on file
8014912270
Licensed address
4928 N 4500 W, Cedar City, UT, 84721

48 inspection reports on file; the serious findings in them are listed above. Search all Utah reports

The newest 25 reports, by date: 11 findings in 8 reports
  1. Aug 5, 2026 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  2. Jul 23, 2026 Investigation Inspection (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-600-7(16)(a)-(e) Critical incidents reporting requirements

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-600-7(16)(b) by not reporting an allegation of abuse to the Division of Child and Family services within 24 hours. During the inspection a client had made an allegation that a staff member had provided them with a vape. This was not reported to Licensing.

  3. Jul 6, 2026 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
  4. Jul 1, 2026 Focus, Non On-Site (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, focus, non on-site : R380-600-7(16)(a)-(e) Critical incidents reporting requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R380-600-7(16)(a) by not reporting a critical incident to the Office within one business day. During review of critical incidents it was identified that the incident occurred on 6/9/2026 and was not reported until 6/16/2026. This was a repeat noncompliance as noted on Inspection report.

  5. Jun 10, 2026 Focus, Non On-Site (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, focus, non on-site : R380-600-7(16)(a)-(e) Critical incidents reporting requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R380-600-7(16)(a) by not reporting a critical incident to the Office within one business day. During review of critical incidents it was identified that the incident occurred on 5/28/2026 and was not reported until 6/1/2026. This was a repeat noncompliance as noted on inspection report.

  6. Jun 9, 2026 Investigation Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection, non on-site inspection : R380-600-7(16)(a)-(e) Critical incidents reporting requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R380-600-7(16)(a) by not reporting a critical incident to the Office within one business day. During review of critical incidents it was identified that the incident occurred on 5/28/2026 and was not reported until 6/3/2026. This was a repeat noncompliance as noted on 3/4/2024, 4/3/2024, 12/31/2024, 03/20/2025, & 11/17/2025

  7. Jun 4, 2026 Announced, Annual Inspection
  8. May 27, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  9. May 4, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  10. Apr 8, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  11. Mar 25, 2026 Follow-Up Inspection
  12. Mar 10, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  13. Mar 4, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  14. Jan 6, 2026 3rd Unannounced
  15. Nov 24, 2025 Investigation Inspection (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-80-6(1)(a)-(i) Client rights

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-6(1)(c) by exposing a client to potential harm. During the inspection a client was able to climb onto a shed roof and jump. The client sustained significant injuries. This is a repeat rule noncompliance as noted on 1/21/2025.

  16. Nov 6, 2025 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
  17. Nov 4, 2025 2nd Unannounced (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, 2nd unannounced : R501-1-8(1)(a)-(i) Facility and safety requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-1-8 (1)(a)(b) by not maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of the building and grounds so they are free from health and fire hazards-. During the walkthrough inspection there was no-functional light in client bedroom, and client shower had mold on ceiling. This is a repeat noncompliance as noted on 7/6/23, 7/9/24, 12/31/24, . Technical assistance was provided on 9/4/25

  18. Sep 4, 2025 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  19. Jun 30, 2025 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
  20. Jun 26, 2025 Investigation Inspection
  21. Jun 12, 2025 Announced, Annual Inspection (4 findings)
    4 findings

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-16(1)(a)-(u) Pre-service training requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-1-16(1)(o)(u) by not completing preservice training within 30 days. During the employee file inspection 1 staff member had not completed the preservice training within 30 days of hire. This is a repeat noncompliance as noted on 12/31/24.

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-15(4) Residential program unsupervised staff requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-1-15 (4) by allowing a direct care staff to work unsupervised before they have an approved background clearance. During the employee file inspection one staff member was found to have worked unsupervised before the had an approved background clearance.

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-13(1)(a)-(h) Intake assessment requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-1-13(1)(b)(c) by not having required information in intake screening. During the client file inspection the intake screening assessment was missing cultural background and mode of communication. This is a repeat noncompliance as noted on 7/6/23.

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-14-5(2)(a)-(f) Submitting application for an initial background screening

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-14-5(2)(a) by not submitting an application for an initial background screening no later than two weeks from the applicant becoming associated with the licensee. During the employee file review inspection a staff member hadn't had a background check associated with licensee.

  22. Jun 5, 2025 Investigation Inspection
  23. Jun 3, 2025 Follow-Up Inspection
  24. May 14, 2025 Complaint, Investigation Inspection (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, complaint, investigation inspection : R501-19-3(3)(a)-(j) Supervision and ratio requirements

      The provider was out of compliance with R501-19-3(3)(d)(ii) by having a direct care staff sleeping while on shift. During the investigation interviews were conducted that revealed that a night shift staff was found sleeping while on duty. This is a repeat noncompliance as noted on 1/21/2025.

  25. May 8, 2025 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection

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Names

Documents

Documents on file (32)
NATSAP Profiles (8)
Program Materials (8)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (12)

Wiki entries

Materials and links

External links

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Staff listing or directory

Reference and research

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