Federal Declaration FormWWASP founder Robert Lichfield and former President of WWASP Karr Farnsworth met while working at Provo Canyon Boys School.
According to news reports, authorities closed Provo Canyon in the late 1970's due to abuse, neglect and mistreatment of children. Robert Lichfield had been the director of residential living at the school. The facility did reopen and is still in operation today.
Lichfield then moved to La Verkin, Utah where he and partner Brent Facer opened Cross Creek Manor, Inc., (now Cross Creek Manor, LLC) an all-girls facility, in 1990.
In 1991, Robert Lichfield created Teen Help, Inc. (now Teen Help, LLC) to market the school.
After associates of Lichfield began opening more schools around the country and abroad, the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools was incorporated in 1998.
Robert Lichfield is now a consultant and director for WWASP.
Brent Facer is a trustee.
The current president is Ken Kay.
ISAC Note: During sworn testimony in the August 2004 case of WWASPS vs PURE, Ken Kay stated that in his opinion, sexual activity between staff members and students is "not necessarily" abuse.
Ken Kay met Lichfield while working at Brightway Adolescent Hospital, in St. George, Utah.
Brightway was a WWASP/Teen Help facility that closed after authorities discovered many of the patient care plans were identical and the staff had failed to report a case of abuse.
WWASP operates as an "umbrella organization," and appears to only endorse facilities that operate according to its guidelines.
Promotional packets obtained by ISAC describe each school as offering "all of the services and components required to be a member of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools."
According to the Utah Department of Commerce, WWASP is listed as a "grantmaking and giving service."
The web site for the organization states, "All the Programs and Schools are independently owned and operated, yet follow the same successful Program model that has been developed and refined over numerous years of experience."
Robert Lichfield and J. Ralph Atkin, along with business associates and various members of their families, are very involved in the operations of WWASP.
The accounting firm for WWASP, the property managers, referral agencies, "escort" services (companies who physically remove children from their homes and deliver them to the "schools,"), real estate agencies, and the individual programs - which claim to be independently owned and operated - are also easily connected by family ties.
Teen Help, LLC is a principal component of the WWASP organization. They raise funds, promote the individual schools, process tuition payments and admissions paperwork, and make political contributions.
Robert Lichfield of Utah, brother of Narvin Lichfield (Dundee Ranch director) is the founder and partner.
J. Ralph Atkin of Utah (Owner of Skywest Airlines, Eurosky Airlines and Jet Acquisitions Group in Arizona) is also a partner.
Former director of Dundee Ranch, Joe Atkin, is his son.
Brent Facer of Utah is a partner and former vice president of Teen Help.
Teen Help was the top contributor during Utah state elections in 2001-2002 with donations totaling $215,290.
Teen Help was the third leading "soft money" donor during Utah state elections in 2001-2002 with donations totaling $175,500.
Source: www.opensecrets.org
The internet has been flooded with web sites that promote WWASP/Teen Help programs.
Many of the sites are operated by parents of children in WWASP facilities who earn a free months tuition for each child they refer to WWASPS facilities.
ISAC has found 110 such web sites to date.
Resource Realizations/Premier Education conducts seminars for WWASP parents and children.
ISAC has received complaints describing these seminars as "brainwashing," "humiliating," and "destructive."
Several parents have reported that Resource Realizations staff members encouraged them to leave their spouse because he/she did not approve of the seminars.
David Gilcrease, Founder and President of Resource Realizations/Premier Education, is a former Lifespring trainer.
Lifespring has been classified as a cult.
WWASPS Seminars: Warm Embrace or Pyscho Cry Fest?
Lifespring Article from Redbook Magazine
Lifespring Article from Self Magazine
The Pathology of Lifespring, from the journal Psychiatry
Some promotional web sites and materials for WWASP also mention Browning Academy.
During our investigation into WWASP, we determined that Browning Academy does not physically exist even though WWASPS/Teen Help instructs parents to list Browning Academy on educational loan applications.
Loan applications obtained by ISAC show that these children were in fact enrolled in other WWASP facilities.
Another Lawsuit Filed Against WWASPS: October 11, 2006
WWASPS and Cross Creek Manor Sued for Abuse: August 25, 2006
$100 Million Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against WWASPS: July 25, 2006
Statement from William Boyles, Jr., Survivor of 3 WWASPS/Teen Help Programs
Alternet: No More Nightmares at Tranquility Bay?
Congressman Requests Federal Investigation of Unregulated Teen Programs
Congress Urged to Regulate Private Teen Facilities
WWASPS Facility Quietly Opens in Nevada
Lawsuit Filed Against WWASPS and Robert Lichfield
WWASPS Camps are Loved and Hated
Former "Student" of Paradise Cove Accused of Hiring Hitman to Kill Parents
WWASPS Loses Appeal in Defamation Suit Against Reporter
Questions Raised about Northwest Assoc. of Accredited Schools
New Bill Would Regulate Teen Facilities in the US and Abroad
Boonville Rejects Offer from Lichfield
Tranquility Bay Survivor Speaks of Abuse at the Hands of Randall Hinton and Jay Kay
Testimony from Dr. Marcel Chappuis Disallowed at Trial (see page 5 of file)
California Congressman Urges Boonville to Beware of WWASP
Boonville Needs to Think Twice Before Getting Stung by WWASP
Protesters Greet Randall Hinton at Public Meeting
Public Meeting to Discuss Sale of Kemper Military Academy Draws a Crowd
Residents Skeptical of Lichfield and Hinton Proposal
Boonville Police Have Concerns and Questions Regarding Lichfield, Hinton, and WWASPS
Randall Hinton Admits to Using Pepper Spray on Children at Tranquility Bay
Some in Boonville Opposed to Kemper Purchase
ISAC Report: WWASPS Alleged Crimes (MS Word format)
ISAC Report: WWASPS Alleged Crimes (pdf format)
Video: 2003 Inside Edition Report on WWASPS
Randall Hinton* to Operate New Lichfield Facility
* For more information regarding Randall Hinton, please visit our Tranquility Bay page.
WWASPS Founder Robert Lichfield Trying to Buy Missouri Military School
Revised Utah Bill Would Regulate WWASPS Facilities
Utah Wants to Regulate Facilities, but NOT Those Affiliated with Robert Lichfield and WWASPS
New Attorney General May Consider Regulations for Private Teen Facilities
Congressman Makes Another Request for Investigation into WWASPS
Family Behind Schools with Checkered Record Calls in Political Favors
Court Document: Transcript of WWASPS v. Pure
WWASPS Request for a New Trial - DENIED
An Observers Thoughts on the Trial
Teen Escort Used by WWASPS Accused of Assault
Utah Escorts Charged with Beating Child Enroute to WWASPS Program
Teen Escort Used by WWASPS Has a History of Domestic Violence and Child Molestation
Desperate Measures, from the Rocky Mountain News
WWASPS Meets Criticism and Lawsuits
Utah Officials Forced to Play "Find the Owner"
WWASPS/Teen Help Sued by Mother of Abducted Boys
Teens Complain of Torture at Foreign Treatment Camps - 1999
WWASPS Seminars: Warm Embrace or Pyscho Cry Fest?
A Collection of News Articles concerning WWASP
WWASP/Teen Help Documents Obtained by ISAC:
Teen Help Rep with Most Admissions Wins a Free Meal 1
Teen Help Rep with Most Admissions Wins a Free Meal 2
Teen Help Meeting - The Fine Art of Sales
Teen Help Meeting 2 - Don't Talk About so Many Releases!
Teen Help Meeting 3 - Use the New Hand-Picked Parent Reference List
Thank you for the referrals! Love, Intercept Escort Services
Census Report for All Teen Help Facilities
If you would like to submit a statement describing your experience with one of these programs, please use the form below and send it to us via email or fax.
If you have program documents and are willing to release them to ISAC, please contact us immediately.
Source: ISAC Corporation - www.isaccorp.org