{"id":9696,"date":"2022-03-11T16:45:34","date_gmt":"2022-03-12T00:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.breakingcodesilence.org\/?p=9696"},"modified":"2022-03-12T23:33:36","modified_gmt":"2022-03-13T07:33:36","slug":"gateway-academy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.breakingcodesilence.org\/gateway-academy\/","title":{"rendered":"Gateway Academy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gateway Academy<\/b> (2002-present) Draper\/Salt Lake City, UT<\/span><\/h1>\n

Residential Treatment Center<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

History and Background Information<\/b><\/h2>\n

Gateway Academy is a behavior-modification program that opened in 2002. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys between the ages of 14 and 17. Their <\/span>website<\/span><\/a> states that they enroll boys with a history of the following: depression, anxiety, executive functioning problems, impulsivity and attention problems, social and relationship difficulties, unresolved trauma, diminished self-esteem, difficulties at home, lack of motivation, oppositional attitudes, experimentation with alcohol and drugs, excessive computer\/electronic use, identity and developmental issues, and academic deficits. The program has a maximum enrollment of 44, and the average length of stay is reported to be between 10 and 12 months, but can be substantially longer if the teenager is deemed resistant.<\/span><\/p>\n

The program is located at <\/span>11706 South 700 East, Draper, Utah 84020<\/span><\/a>. It is reported that the program also operates a second campus, located less that 16 miles away at <\/span>2487 South 700 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84106<\/span><\/a>. However, it is unclear whether or not Gateway Academy still operates in this campus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gateway Academy has been a <\/span>NATSAP<\/span><\/a> member since 2002. It is also reported that Gateway Academy was “accredited” by the <\/span>Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC)<\/span><\/a> but it is important to note that neither the United States Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NWAC as an accrediting agency for institutions of higher education. NWAC is an organization that has “accredited” many notoriously abusive behavior-modification programs, including many <\/span>WWASP<\/span><\/a> programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Founders and Notable Staff<\/b><\/h2>\n

Karen Flynn<\/b> is the CEO and Co-Owner of Gateway Academy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rebecca Garfield<\/b> is the Executive Director of Gateway Academy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Julie Barbero<\/b> is the Clinical Director and Co-Owner of Gateway Academy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Michelle Gourley<\/b> is the Director of Clinical Development and Co-Owner of Gateway Academy. She previously worked as the Clinical Director of <\/span>Kaizen Academy<\/span><\/a>, which is also known by the names Heritage Youth Services and Birdseye RTC.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Kelly Means<\/b> is the Program Director of Gateway Academy.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Melissa Hickman<\/b> is the Marketing Director and Co-Owner of Gateway Academy.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Program Structure<\/b><\/h2>\n

    When a boy arrives at Gateway Academy, they are assigned rooms with 3-5 others, though they reportedly rarely see them. The days are reported to be very strictly regulated, with all of the ‘group’ being made to do everything set out as one. Alone time is reported to be very limited, and anything as innocuous as trying to read or otherwise keep to oneself during set free time is allegedly decried as ‘isolating’. Parents are reported to be warned not to believe their children’s complaints, and dismiss them as merely “manipulation” attempts.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Like other behavior-modification programs, Gateway Academy uses a level\/phase system consisting of six levels. The levels are reported to be:<\/span><\/p>\n