Utah is the location of nearly 100 residential treatment centers for young people. It has become one of the most well-known locations for such centers that parents and state government agencies send young patients here from all over the country. Almost 12,000 young people have gone through Utah youth treatment centers in just the past 5 years – and unfortunately, a number of those patients have experienced abuse.
What makes Utah such a prime location for youth residential treatment centers?
Utah Treatment Centers – Why Are So Many Patients Sent Here?
Utah is far from the only state with residential treatment centers catering to younger patients. Yet parents and states choose to send kids to Utah centers often. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Nevada spent $35 million sending almost 800 youths to Utah since 2014. And thousands of parents with the financial resources to do so have chosen Utah. Why?
There are several reasons, including:
1. Lack of local resources.
Some of the state officials interviewed by the Salt Lake Tribune said that there were not enough beds for those that needed care. Other states said that they did not have the right kind of specialized programming to care for the patients. If the agencies determine that a youth needs care “now” and can’t wait for a bed in their state, they send them to Utah.
2. Utah has a reputation for wholesomeness and wide open spaces.
For parents in other states, Utah can seem appealing due to the reputation of the Church of Latter Day Saints and the image of pristine wilderness. Parents imagine that Utah cares more about doing things right due to its religious background. They also picture their child getting help in wilderness settings, which inspired ideas of transformation.
3. Effective marketing from large treatment center organizations.
Most of the Utah youth treatment centers that get business from other states are large and consist of multiple treatment centers. Provo Canyon School, the organization that has come into the spotlight due to Paris Hilton’s abuse accusations, is owned by Universal Health Services (UHS). UHS is also the owner of two other facilities that generate tens of millions of dollars from other states.
Larger organizations like UHS have the deep pockets and connections necessary to attract business from state governments.
Treatment Center Abuse Victims – Get Help Here!
Some of these youth treatment centers abuse the young people in their care. If you or someone you know was abused at a youth treatment center in Utah, we encourage you to contact us. Our residential treatment center abuse law firm has helped multiple abuse victims take legal action against their abusers. We would like to do the same for you.
Please call us now at (801) 845-4577 or fill out our secure online contact form to tell us your story. Let us help you stand up for your rights.