Family Help & Wellness

Programs it has run

19 on record, open ones first.

• BlueFire Wilderness Therapy Gooding, Idaho | 2013-present | Open
• Discover Seven Stars Syracuse, Utah | 2015-present | Open
• Elevations RTC Syracuse, Utah | 1998-present | Open
• New Focus Academy Heber City, Utah | 2018-present | Open
• Red Mountain Sedona Sedona, Arizona | 2015-present | Open
• ROOTS Transition Park City, Utah | 2021-present | Open
• Sandhill Child Development Center Los Lunas, New Mexico | 2004-present | Open
• Solstice West Layton, Utah | 2008-present | Open
• Uinta Academy Wellsville, Utah | 2003-present | Open
• Viewpoint Center Syracuse, Utah | 2014-present | Open
• Asheville Academy for Girls Black Mountain, North Carolina | 2012-2025 | Closed
• Equinox RTC Hendersonville, North Carolina | 2016-2023 | Closed
• Foundations Asheville Asheville, North Carolina
• Magnolia Mill School Weaverville, North Carolina | 2024-2025 | Closed
• Red Mountain Colorado Greeley, Colorado | 2018-2023 | Closed
• Sedona Sky Academy Rimrock, Arizona | 1998 | Suspended
• Trails Carolina Lake Toxaway, North Carolina | 2008-2024 | Closed
• Triple Divide Lodge Marion, Montana | 2021-2024 | Closed
• Wingate Wilderness Therapy Kanab, Utah | 2008-2023 | Closed

People

The people the network map ties to the company, with their other jobs in the industry.

• Tim Dupell

  founder

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Wingate Wilderness Therapy Founding Capital Partner (2008)
  • Aspen Education Group Former CFO and Executive Vice President (2025)

• Michael Wellons

  chief dev officer

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Aspen Education Group Senior Vice President of Development (1998)
  • Acadia Healthcare vp of dev

News coverage

• Asheville Academy and what happens when teen treatment centers close USA TODAY | May 11, 2026 | expose

  Asheville Academy, a residential treatment center in North Carolina, closed suddenly after two student deaths, leaving families who had sent their children there for treatment scrambling to find alternative care. The facility had a history of allegations of abusive practices, including physical restraint and seclusion. Former students have filed lawsuits alleging abuse and misconduct at the program.

• AP investigation: Adopted kids confined in private for-profit facilities AP News | Apr 28, 2026 | expose

  This Associated Press investigation uncovers a "shadow orphanage system" where adopted children are disproportionately placed in for-profit residential treatment facilities. These institutions often market themselves to families by misusing the diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder to justify expensive and unregulated "tough-love" programs. Rather than finding support, many children experience systemic abuse, isolation, and neglect in environments focused on profit margins. The report emphasizes that these institutional settings often cause more harm than healing, failing the vulnerable children they were meant to protect.

• Adopted and Locked Away: Kids promised ‘forever homes’ instead confined in for-profit institutions The Associated Press | Jan 17, 2026 | expose About one of its programs

  The article investigates the 'troubled teen industry', a network of for-profit residential treatment centers, wilderness programs, and boarding schools, and its impact on adopted children. Many adopted children are sent to these facilities, where they often experience physical restraint, abuse, and neglect. The industry is largely unregulated, and facilities often prioritize profits over the well-being of the children in their care.

• Federal lawsuit details alleged abuse, coercion at now-closed teen programs WSOC TV | Jan 7, 2026 | lawsuit About one of its programs

  A federal lawsuit has been filed against Wilderness Training & Consulting LLC, alleging that four young adults were subjected to abuse, neglect, and forced labor while minors at Trails Carolina and Solstice East. The plaintiffs claim they were marketed therapeutic treatment but instead experienced coercion, humiliation, and physical restraint. The lawsuit also alleges violations of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.

• New lawsuit claims abuse, neglect at two Asheville-area teen centers Asheville Citizen Times | Jan 5, 2026 | lawsuit About one of its programs

  A federal lawsuit has been filed against two now-shuttered teen treatment centers in the Asheville area, alleging that residents suffered physical abuse, neglect, and forced labor. The lawsuit claims that the facilities, Trails Carolina and Solstice East, failed to provide adequate care and supervision, and instead used punitive measures to control residents. The plaintiffs allege that they were subjected to various forms of abuse, including physical restraints, strip searches, and humiliation.

• In Asheville Academy suit, lack of supervision led to self harm, child and parent say Asheville Citizen Times | Jul 11, 2025 | lawsuit About one of its programs

  A parent and their child, identified as M.C., filed a lawsuit on July 9, 2025 against the now-closed Asheville Academy for Girls and its parent company, Family Help & Wellness, alleging neglect and failure to supervise. The suit claims M.C., then 12, repeatedly self-harmed, ingested dangerous items, and ran away from campus while staff failed to intervene. It also alleges the child was isolated from their parent and denied adequate therapy, despite documented high suicide risk.

• NC state investigation continues despite Asheville Academy's voluntary closure WLOS ABC 13 News | Jun 25, 2025 | closure About one of its programs

  Asheville Academy in Weaverville, NC, voluntarily closed in June 2025 after two student suicides in May. Despite the closure, a state investigation continues into conditions described as detrimental to client health and safety. Asheville Academy was fined $45,000 for licensing violations, including inadequate staff training. The facility, previously known as Solstice East and Magnolia Mill, was managed by Wilderness Training & Consulting LLC, which also operated Trails Carolina.

• Federal lawsuit alleges abuse, exploitation of teen at Asheville Academy for Girls, Trails Carolina Asheville Watchdog | Jun 25, 2025 | lawsuit About one of its programs

  A South Carolina woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Asheville Academy for Girls, Trails Carolina, and 15 related entities owned by Family Help & Wellness, alleging abuse, humiliation, sexual assault, forced labor, and false advertising during her time as a teen resident. The complaint follows two recent suicides at Asheville Academy and a 2024 death at Trails Carolina. The lawsuit describes a pattern of neglect, coercion, and unqualified staff. After the suicides, North Carolina regulators fined the operator and suspended the Weaverville facility's license, prompting its closure.

• Asheville Academy closes after license surrender; state's investigation ongoing WLOS ABC 13 News | Jun 9, 2025 | closure About one of its programs

  Asheville Academy, a therapeutic school in Weaverville, North Carolina, has closed after giving up its license on June 4, 2025. The decision came after two students died by suicide in May and state investigators found the program was breaking multiple licensing rules. The school was run by Wilderness Training & Consulting LLC, the same group that previously operated the now-closed Trails Carolina. Asheville Academy stopped operating on May 3. State officials said the conditions at the facility were unsafe for kids.

• Former students report injuries and isolation at Elevations RTC NBC News | Sep 2, 2024 | lawsuit About one of its programs

  Staff Mentioned: David Faust (Elevations RTC), Jennifer Wilde (Elevations RTC) Survivor stories from Chloe Gilliland, Stella Downey, Miranda Goodwill, Sabrina Jonas, Finn Pool Chloe Gilliland attended Elevations from July 2023 to June 2024 Elevations RTC is owned by Family Help & Wellness (FHW) Other FHW programs have been cited for regulatory violations Disability Law Center of Utah has received complaints about Elevations RTC Stella Downey attended Elevations from June 2020 to February 2021 Elevations RTC has been making more calls to the police as the years go on In 2023, there were 56 police calls. That number is expected to be higher for 2024. Elevations RTC is a NATSAP member Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (SICAA) is a bipartisan bill that would make it easier for officials to communicate across state lines regarding child welfare SICAA would also “create the first national database of restraints and seclusion in youth treatment centers” Sabrina Jonas’ mother reported Sabrina’s abuse to her local school district, who is no longer doing business with Elevations California Department of Education investigated Elevations in 2023 The investigation concluded that Elevations failed to handle allegations of sexual abuse properly 28 school districts in 7 states have paid to send students to Elevations FHW bought Island View in 2014 and turned it into Elevations A survivor sued Elevations in 2018 for permanent injuries resulting from abuse The 2018 lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount Elevation’s maximum capacity is 90 students Tuition at Elevations is over $500/daily David Faust, an Elevations RTC therapist, plead guilty in 2023 for failure to report Finn Pool’s child abuse “From May 2023 to May 2024, Elevations reported at least 105 incidents of self-harm and 138 uses of physical restraints, according to state records.” “In Idaho, North Carolina and Utah, where the Family Help & Wellness youth programs are based, officials said they do not take violations at affiliated facilities in other states into account when evaluating programs. Only the child welfare agency in New Mexico, where one treatment center is, said it is currently looking into that program’s association with Family Help & Wellness, though its actions are limited to the facilities in its state.” “Katie England, a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees facilities like Elevations, said that it ‘does not have the statutory authority to use facility violations or adverse incidents in other states when making Utah-specific licensing decisions.’”

• Judge denies Trails Carolina’s ‘threadbare’ attempts to strike, dismiss sexual assault lawsuit WGHP | Aug 8, 2024 | lawsuit About one of its programs
• Shock coroner's report reveals death of boy, 12, at Trails Carolina 'wellness' camp was 'homicide' after he was sealed into sleeping bag-like 'burrito' Daily Mail Online | Jun 25, 2024 | expose About one of its programs

  A 12‑year‑old boy died on his first night at Trails Carolina wilderness camp after being sealed in a bivy bag. Coroner's report ruled the death a homicide, citing inadequate monitoring and safety violations. The camp, which had its license revoked, faces potential legal action and scrutiny over staff training and procedures.

Lawsuits

• Jane Doe L.Y. and June Doe A.D. v. Trails Academy, LLC, et al. 2024 | In progress | United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Asheville Division | 1:24-cv-00254-MOC-SCR

  Two Florida parents, Jane Doe L.Y. and June Doe A.D., filed a proposed class action on October 11, 2024 in federal court in Asheville against Trails Academy, Trails Carolina and their Oregon parent companies doing business as Family Help & Wellness. They seek to represent everyone in the United States who bought residential program services from the defendants, with a Florida subclass, and seek repayment of tuition. The complaint alleges the companies misrepresented the Trails Momentum program, which their son attended in 2021, as safe and therapeutic, pressured families through an admissions salesperson, and charged a 3,900 dollar enrollment fee plus 585 dollars a day, 24,570 dollars for the first 42 days. On December 30, 2024 the defendants moved to dismiss or compel arbitration under the family's enrollment agreement; the documents do not show a ruling or a class certification decision.

• John Doe M.D.Y. v. Trails Academy, LLC, et al. 2024 | In progress | United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Asheville Division | 1:24-cv-00253-MOC-SCR

  A young man identified as John Doe M.D.Y. sued Trails Academy, Trails Carolina and their Oregon parent companies, which do business as Family Help & Wellness, in federal court in Asheville on October 11, 2024. He enrolled at 18 in the Trails Momentum young-adult wilderness program and stayed 93 days, from March to June 2021 (the defense gives March 3 to June 3, 2021). The complaint alleges an invasive strip search on arrival in which a staff member touched his genitals, two weeks isolated in a cabin, censored letters and a single muted phone call home, unpaid cleaning, cooking and landscaping work, days in freezing weather with frozen boots and limited food and water, threats that he would be arrested if he left, and little mental health care, and says his mental health collapsed afterward, including a suicide attempt in October 2021. It also alleges an admissions employee misled his parents. The plaintiff asked for a Rule 9(j) extension for any medical malpractice claims, which the defendants opposed, and on December 30, 2024 the defendants moved to dismiss or compel arbitration under a March 2021 enrollment agreement; the documents do not show rulings on those motions.

• Siegel v. Trails Carolina, LLC, et al. 2024 | Unknown | U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina | 1:24-cv-00046-MOC-WCM

  Outcome: On August 5, 2024, the court denied defendants' motions to dismiss and to strike. The supplied complaint alleges that the plaintiff was sexually assaulted by another minor while at Trails Carolina and that defendants failed to protect her.

  Gertrude A. Siegel sued Trails Carolina, its owner and manager Wilderness Training & Consulting, and therapist Derry O'Kane. Her February 2024 complaint alleges that, while she was 12 and in the program, another minor sexually assaulted her and defendants failed to provide adequate screening, supervision, and protection. These are allegations, not findings.

• Richardson v. Elevations RTC 2024 | In progress | Utah Second District Court

  Finn Richardson sued Elevations RTC in Utah's Second District Court; filed 01/14/2024 and awaiting a trial date. A prelitigation panel hearing was held 08/05/2024. Salt Lake Tribune coverage framed the allegations as trauma presented as treatment.

• Doe v. Excellus Health Plan, Inc. 2023 | Unknown | Supreme Court, Monroe County | E2019007017

  Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against their health insurance plan administrator, alleging breach of contract for wrongfully denying coverage and payment for their teenage son's stays at two residential treatment centers. The defendant argued that the treatment was not medically necessary and that external review determinations were binding. The court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss the breach of contract claim regarding the first facility, finding that external review determinations do not bar court action.

• Rowenna Clark v. Solstice RTC, LLC dba Solstice Residential Treatment Center Filed | Second Judicial District Court, Davis County, Farmington Department, State of Utah

  Rowenna Clark sued Solstice RTC, LLC, which runs Solstice Residential Treatment Center in Layton, Utah, in Utah state court in Davis County; the complaint is signed January 27, 2017. She alleges that in late August 2014, shortly after she turned 18 at Solstice, she became acutely ill for several days and staff refused her repeated requests to go to the hospital, dismissed her low blood pressure as an equipment error, and relied on a nurse who was mostly off site. She alleges she was finally taken to Davis Hospital with septic shock and kidney failure, was placed on life support in an induced coma for about eleven days, and has lasting health problems. The complaint states a DOPL prelitigation panel issued its certificate of compliance on December 2, 2016. The document shows only the complaint; no case number is filled in.

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Deaths on record

Young people who died at, or after being in, one of its programs.

• Unknown age 12 | Asheville Academy for Girls | May 29, 2025 | Died by suicide
• Unknown age 14 | Asheville Academy for Girls | May 3, 2025 | Died by suicide
• Clark Harman age 12 | Trails Carolina | February 1, 2024 | Restraint
• Alec Sanford Lansing age 17 | Trails Carolina | November 23, 2014 | Exposure