Oasis Ascent (2021-present) Millcreek, UT

Short-Term Residential Treatment Center

History and Background Information

Oasis Ascent (also spelled OASIS Ascent) is a behavior-modification program that opened in 2021. OASIS stands for Observation, Assessment, Stabilization, and Intensive Support. It is marketed as a Short-Term Residential Treatment Center for teenagers (13-17) who struggle with severe emotional/behavior challenges and are in need of intensive psychiatric services. The program has a 30-90 day length of stay, with the average being about 50 days. The maximum enrollment is unknown.

Oasis Ascent is located at 1624 E 4500 S, Millcreek, UT 84117.

Founders and Notable Staff

Brent Esplin is the current Executive Director of Oasis Ascent. He began his career in the TTI working as a Therapist and later the Clinical Director of the confirmedly abusive Red Rock Canyon School from 2001 until 2005. He then went on to work as a Therapist and later the Admissions Director of the notorious and confirmedly abusive Provo Canyon School from 2005 until 2012. After this, he worked as the Intake Director of Universal Health Services, which is the parent company of Provo Canyon School and many other confirmed abusive programs, from 2012 until 2016. He then worked as the Director of Enrollment & Business Development at Homeward Bound, a transitional program founded by the former Director of Aspen Education Group‘s reportedly abusive Outback Therapeutic Expeditions, from 2016 until 2019. From May 2019 until March 2020, he worked as a Therapist at Telos RTC‘s young adult program. He then became the Executive Director of Embark at Hobble Creek in March 2020, and he appears to continue to hold this position. He has been the Executive Director of Oasis Ascent since its opening in March 2021.

Janet Mulitalo (Farnsworth) is the current Associate Executive Director of Oasis Ascent. She previously worked as the Program Director of the confirmedly abusive Alpine Academy from 2003 until 2006. In addition, she previously worked at an unnamed “faith-based” program in Mississippi. She has also worked as the Director of Utah Youth Village. From 2014 until 2015, she worked as the Vice President of Business Development at InnerChange. She then became the Executive Director of the reportedly abusive Oakley School from 2015 until 2016. She then worked as the Executive Director of the confirmedly abusive West Ridge Academy from 2016 until 2021, before joining the team at Oasis.

Allison Michelle Jenkins is the current Clinical Director of Oasis Ascent. Prior to this, she worked as a Therapist at Aspen Education Group‘s reportedly abusive Youth Care for an unspecified period of time. Her other prior places of employment are presently unknown.

Landon Horton is the current Residential Director of Oasis Ascent. His career in the Troubled Teen Industry began in 2013 when he began working as the Program Manager of the reportedly abusive Catalyst RTC until 2017. He then worked as the Director of Admissions at the reportedly abusive Highland Ridge Hospital from July 2017 until October 2018. He began working at Oasis in July 2021.

Marie West currently works as a Therapist at Oasis Ascent. Prior to this, she worked as a Therapist at the confirmedly abusive West Ridge Academy from 2019 until 2021.

Eric Ricks is the current Human Resources Director of Oasis Ascent. Prior to this, he worked for Goldman Sachs as the Vice President of Operations for 11 years from 2010 until 2021. He then worked as the Human Resources Director of the reportedly abusive Redcliff Ascent briefly before joining Oasis Ascent.

Jayson “Junior” Salesulu works as the Residential Program Coordinator of Oasis Ascent. Prior to this, he worked as a Residential Support Staff Member at the confirmedly abusive West Ridge Academy. His other places of employment are unknown.

Charmela Founa works as a Resident Shift Supervisor at Oasis Ascent. Prior to this, she appears to have worked at the confirmedly abusive West Ridge Academy. Her other prior places of employment are unknown.

Program Structure

No information is currently known regarding the specifics of the program used by Oasis Ascent. If you attended this program and would like to contribute information to help complete this page, please contact info@breakingcodesilence.org

Abuse Allegations and Lawsuits

Because this program is very new, no allegations of abuse or neglect have yet been reported by survivors. This section will be updated in the future.

Survivor/Parent Testimonials

Because this program is very new, no testimonies have yet been found. This section will be updated in the future.

Related Media

Oasis Ascent Website Homepage

Reddit Thread regarding the facility (9/25/2021)