Embark at Flathead Valley

News coverage

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  Missoulian Jan 26, 2019 Expose

  Investigation Reveals Recurrent Ownership and Oversight Concerns Across Montana Youth Residential Programs

  Essential reporting

  The Missoulian mapped the owners and administrators who moved between Montana programs, several of them with past license revocations or criminal charges.

  An investigative report examines the network of owners and administrators operating private residential youth programs in Montana, highlighting instances where individuals with histories of regulatory violations, licensing revocations, or criminal charges established or worked at multiple facilities. The report details multiple civil lawsuits against facilities including Reflections Academy, alleging failures to protect students from staff misconduct and inadequate state regulatory oversight.

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  Missoulian Jan 23, 2019 Expose

  12 years, 58 complaints, no sanctions at Montana residential programs

  Essential reporting

  The Missoulian found 58 complaints in 12 years against Montana's private youth programs and no sanctions from a board made up mostly of industry representatives.

  Over a 12-year period, private residential programs for youth in Montana accumulated 58 complaints without facing any significant sanctions from the state regulatory board. The oversight body, primarily composed of industry representatives, maintained closed records and dismissed complaints regarding uncertified staff, facility safety violations, and operational noncompliance.

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  Missoulian Jan 25, 2019 Expose

  Former Montana Residential Program Students Report Isolation and Punitive Practices

  Former students of various private residential programs in Montana detailed institutional practices such as prolonged social isolation, physical exertion punishments, and behavioral restriction levels. Documentation and interviews also revealed instances of physical restraint, restrictive dietary measures, and allegations of forced peer physical contact overseen by facility staff.

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  Missoulian Jan 21, 2019 Expose

  Investigative Series on Montana Residential Programs for Children

  Journalists from the Missoulian conducted an investigative series examining residential programs for children in Montana. Reporters interviewed former students, program directors, employees, state officials, and mental health professionals while reviewing public inspection records, legislative documents, law enforcement reports, and court files.

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  Woodbury Reports May 1, 2001 General

  Seen 'n Heard, 5/2001

  This industry news compilation from May 2001 reports on staff appointments, curriculum development, book awards, and legislative updates across various emotional growth schools and wilderness programs. Notable updates include progress on Oregon state regulations for outdoor treatment programs and personnel changes at several residential facilities.

Staff

Administration

• John A McKinnon

  Founder, Co-Founder, Co-CEO (2007-2012)source

• Rosemary McKinnon

  Admissions Director, Founder, Director of Admissions, Director of Admissions and Founder, Co-Founder/Director of Admissions (2007-2012)source

• Rick Johnson

  Former Head of School (before 2007)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Summit Preparatory School Executive Director, Co-founder, 2007-2013
  • St. Patrick's Hospital Director, before 2007
  • Pathways Treatment Center First Administrative Director, before 2007
  • Montana Academy Head of School, before 2007

• Carole Santa

  Founder, Director of Education (2007)source

• John Santa

  Founder, Co-CEO (2007-2012)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Natsap Board Member, 2006

• Mary Alexine

  Co-founder

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Chrysalis Therapeutic Boarding School Founder

Notable staff

• Dennis Malinak

  Psychiatrist (2007)source

• Kelly Gesker

  Assistant Director of Admissions (2009)source

• Nick Hong

  Clinical Director (2012)source

• Tim Corson

  Clinical Director (2012)source

• Todd Cardin

  Director of Addiction Prevention (2012)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Montana Academy Director of Addiction Prevention, Substance Abuse Director
  • Bitterroot Homestead Former Clinical Director

• Krissy Pozatek

  Former Staff (before 2008)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • True North Wilderness Programs Clinical team, 2008
  • Montana Academy Staff, before 2008
  • Second Nature Staff, before 2008
  • Aspen Achievement Academy Staff, before 2008

• Victoria Creighton

  Former Therapist (before 2008)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Hope Ranch Resident psychologist, Therapeutic Staff, 2008
  • Montana Academy Therapist, before 2008

• Rick Stern

  Geography and Global Issues Teacher (2012)source

• Chris Nadasi

  Former Staff (before 2007)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Wilderness Treatment Center Consulting Psychologist, 2007
  • Summit Preparatory School Clinical Director, before 2007
  • Montana Academy Staff, before 2007

Staff

Notable staff

• Tiffany Neibaur

  Directorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Kolob Canyon RTC Residential Director, Program Director, 2005-2016