Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy program located in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. The program is designed to help troubled teens and young adults overcome their challenges and develop coping mechanisms. However, in recent years, Trails Carolina has been under investigation for allegations of abuse and neglect.
The Allegations
The allegations against Trails Carolina include:
- Physical abuse: Former participants have alleged that they were physically assaulted by staff members, including being punched, kicked, and choked.
- Emotional abuse: Former participants have also alleged that they were subjected to emotional abuse, such as being humiliated, shamed, and isolated.
- Neglect: Former participants have alleged that they were neglected by staff members, both physically and emotionally. They have reported that they were not given enough food or water, that they were not allowed to sleep, and that they were not provided with adequate medical care.
The Investigation
In 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) launched an investigation into Trails Carolina. The investigation is still ongoing, but the DHHS has already found some evidence to support the allegations of abuse and neglect.
In a report released in early 2023, the DHHS found that Trails Carolina had failed to comply with several state regulations, including those related to staff training, medical care, and recordkeeping. The DHHS also found that Trails Carolina had a history of complaints and violations.
The Impact
The allegations against Trails Carolina have had a devastating impact on former participants and their families. Many former participants have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety as a result of their experiences at the program.
The allegations have also had a significant impact on the wilderness therapy industry as a whole. Many parents are now hesitant to send their children to wilderness therapy programs, fearing that they may be abused.
What Needs to be Done?
There are a number of things that need to be done to address the allegations against Trails Carolina and to ensure the safety of all participants in wilderness therapy programs.
First, the DHHS needs to complete its investigation and take appropriate action against Trails Carolina. If the allegations are found to be true, the program should be shut down.
Second, state and federal regulators need to review the regulations that govern wilderness therapy programs and make sure that they are adequate to protect participants.
Third, the wilderness therapy industry needs to develop and implement best practices to prevent abuse and neglect. These best practices should include staff training, medical care protocols, and recordkeeping requirements.
Conclusion
The allegations against Trails Carolina are serious and disturbing. It is important to note that these allegations have not been proven in court. However, the fact that the DHHS is investigating the allegations and has already found some evidence to support them is concerning.
It is important to remember that wilderness therapy can be a safe and effective way to help troubled teens and young adults. However, it is also important to be aware of the potential risks associated with wilderness therapy programs. Parents should carefully research any program before sending their child and should be prepared to remove their child from the program if they have any concerns about their safety or well-being.
In addition to the above, here is some more detailed information on the Trails Carolina investigation:
The History of Allegations
Allegations of abuse and neglect at Trails Carolina have been circulating for years. In 2017, a former participant filed a lawsuit against the program, alleging that she had been physically and emotionally abused. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court.
In 2020, a group of former participants and their families published an open letter to the North Carolina Attorney General, calling for an investigation into Trails Carolina. The letter alleged that the program had a pattern of abuse and neglect, and that the state had failed to properly regulate the program.
The DHHS Investigation
In 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) launched an investigation into Trails Carolina. The investigation was prompted by the open letter from former participants and their families, as well as by other complaints that the DHHS had received.
The DHHS investigation is still ongoing, but the department has already found some evidence to support the allegations of abuse and neglect. In a report released in early 2023, the DHHS found that Trails Carolina had failed to comply with several state regulations, including those related to staff training, medical care, and recordkeeping. The DHHS also found that Trails Carolina had a history of complaints and violations.
The Impact of the Investigation
The DHHS investigation has had a significant impact on Trails Carolina. The program has been placed on probation, and it is required to make a number of changes in order to comply with state regulations.
