2/19/2009
DAVID CLOUSTON

EXTRA: Read the Emergency Order of Suspension

ESBON — The White Rock Academy, a treatment center for troubled adolescents ages 11-18, was ordered shut down by state health officials Thursday and academy officials have until Monday to find other arrangements for the 24 youth housed there.

The academy’s license was suspended after inspectors on at least three occasions — Jan. 16, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13 — found emergency exit doors locked in violation of the state fire and safety code.

The facility had been ordered twice this month by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office to remove the locks. The KDHE suspention order also stated the facility was failing to provide intensive mental health, drug and alcohol treatment to meet the levels of care needed by the residents.

At least one youth was reportedly handcuffed throughout his month-long stay at the facility in August 2007, the order states.

KDHE also charges that youths placed from out of state at the academy did not have state authorities’ permission to be admitted to a Kansas facility.

Deputies accompanied a representative from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to serve the emergency suspension order on the facility, Jewell County Sheriff David Fullerton said Thursday.

Read the rest of this story in Friday's Salina Journal.

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