Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth (CAFETY)

Capitol Hill Briefing - February 2009

Abuse of Youth in Residential Placements: A Call to Action
The growth of the troubled teen industry, including wilderness camps, therapeutic boarding schools, and boot camps, has given rise to allegations of inhumane treatment of youth, and exploitation of families who are desperately seeking help for their teenagers. This topic, previously the subject of two hearings (1, 2) in Congress and two special reports by the GAO (1, 2), was examined further on Feb. 19th 2009, at a meeting sponsored by the Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic, and Appropriate Use of Residential Treatmenton (ASTART) and CAFETY on Capitol Hill.