Reflections Academy

Deaths on record

• Svetlana Hope Cyphert age 17 | June 25, 2021 | Died by suicide Helena Independent Record

The memorial

Incidents on record

1. 2018 Lawsuit

   In 2018 three lawsuits were filed against Reflections Academy in Thompson Falls following allegations of sexual abuse and grooming by Chaffin Pullan and professional negligence.source

News coverage

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  KFF Health News Jan 21, 2022 General

  State Laws Aim to Regulate 'Troubled Teen Industry,' but Loopholes Remain

  This article examines state-level legislative efforts to regulate private residential youth programs and the ongoing regulatory loopholes that allow instances of seclusion, chemical sedation, and unaddressed safety violations to persist. Advocates and experts highlight that inconsistent state enforcement and exemptions for religious programs continue to present challenges for oversight within the industry.

• 

  USA TODAY / Kaiser Health News Jan 19, 2022 Expose

  State laws aim to regulate 'troubled teen industry,' but loopholes remain

  The article examines state-level regulatory efforts and ongoing loopholes regarding residential youth treatment programs across the United States. It details accounts of restrictive practices and inadequate oversight in facilities across states such as Utah and Montana, while highlighting advocacy efforts for federal legislation.

• 

  Flathead Beacon Mar 5, 2021 Lawsuit

  Ex-Students Allege Sexual Abuse at Troubled Teen School

  Former students filed separate lawsuits in January against two Montana residential facilities for teenage girls, alleging sexual assault by staff members, negligence, and the infliction of mental anguish. The complaints also allege that the facilities utilized treatment practices not recognized by mental health organizations.

• 

  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.

Staff

Administration

• Michelle Manning

  Former Foundersource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Spring Creek Lodge Academy Staff
  • Youth Foundation Success Academy President of the Board
  • Clearview Horizon Director
  • Star Peak Crossing Staff
  • Riverview Academy Founder, 2016

Notable staff

• Chaffin Pullan

  Former Supervisorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Cross Creek Programs Staff
  • Cross Creek Center Staff
  • Spring Creek Lodge Academy Owner/Administrator, Owner and administrator, Co-Founder and Administrator, Associate director
  • Cross Creek Academy Staff
  • Camas Ranch Co-Founder
  • Second Chances Administrator
  • Horizon Academy Administrator
  • Cross Creek Manor Residential manager, 2018
  • Never Give Up Youth Healing Services Former Administrator

Wiki entries

• Reflections Academy Thompson Falls, MT | 2016-2021

Materials and links

Reference and research

• 770. Reflections Academy Inc.
• Reflections Academy (2016-present) Thompson Falls, MT

From SCIAD NET.