About
FICANET: the residential youth program
information clearinghouse
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FIGHTING INSTITUTIONAL CHILD ABUSE SINCE 2000!
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The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.
~Flannery O’Connor
What is the FICA Network?
FICAN is committed to improving the lives of children, especially those 
children who are in need of a little extra help. Through educational information, outreach and advocacy, we can make a difference! Sometimes we meet with legislators, attend hearings, and often support candidates that support a vision of hope. We have been successful in advocating for improvements in our country so we can build a better world for our children.
Through our web site, concerned citizens have found a voice and renewed sense of hope. You too can make a difference.
FICANetwork is not a formal organization. It is a loose-knit informal association of various individuals and groups of people with a common purpose.
FICANetwork is dedicated to improving our communities by creating an environment of hope and unity. We promise to work tirelessly to provide as much information as possible, improve conditions in our communities and affect positive change in the world around us. We affirm the importance of working together to find solutions. FICANetwork will operate lawfully and respectfully in all matters. We will not profit from our endeavors. We will never make referrals to any programs. We believe in fairness for all. FICANetwork will not waiver in the conviction to create a better community for all citizens, especially the youngest and the most vulnerable citizens.
This site has been through a lot of metamorphosis. It began in 2000 as “Straight Inc., Survivors”; Then became “The 8th Step”; After that it went by the name of “FICA-USA”; Then “FICA”; Then it finally became the ‘FICANetwork. ‘ The changes have come as a result of my research and reactions to my findings among a few other things. And I must say, it has certainly been a white-knuckled ride.
ABOUT THE FICA Network SITE
In 2000, I created the Straight, Inc. Survivors site in an effort to find others who had been there, compare notes and share the research that I had begun to find, as all of the clients of the program had been cut off from the real world. We were not allowed to talk to each other and we had no access to any kind of news outside of the four walls of the building that housed the program. In the beginning I was only researching the program that I had been involuntarily enrolled in for ‘help’ with some imagined drug problem that I never had. I knew that it had done more harm than good to most of the people involved and I knew that somehow they were able to keep me (among many others) in a virtual prison despite the fact that there was absolutely no evidence that I (nor other clients) had a problem of any kind. I was curious how it had all come to be. But I had no idea how big of a “can o’ worms” I was opening.
After speaking with others who had been there, and as my research of the Straight, Inc., program expanded, I learned that it was much further reaching than I had originally expected, so I created the 8th Step in 2004. The 8th step was a play on the Straight, Inc. programs ’steps’ philosophy. The purpose of the site became to expose the fraudulent business side of program as well as it’s abusive nature.
As a few more years went by and I continued to find new information and connections, and I found that there were new similar programs all over the country with even more severe consequences than we had even experienced several years before. I was finding that so many programs, similar to the one I had been in , had begun popping up all over the county that it had actually become a profitable industry! This is when I changed the focus of my site from just the Straight, Inc. program to all fraudulent and abusive programs. I changed the name of the site to FICA-USA in 2005, which stood for “Fight Institutional Child Abuse in the USA.” (in February 2006 I had to change servers so the url changed to http://kathymoya.com/FICA/index.html)
Just when I thought I couldn’t become any more stunned, I learned that the programs not only existed in this country, but American’s were hiding from U.S. law by opening programs in other countries as well! So, once again, towards the end of 2007, I had to change the focus of my site to Fighting Institutional Child Abuse– anywhere, not just in the USA. My site became 
FICA for a while until someone who claimed the same acronym for some financial business became upset with my web site. Because I had made connections with so many other people and organizations that also believe in fighting the abuse of children inside institutions, and essentially had found an informal network, I switched the name over to FICANetwork,
where it has been for the last couple of years. I can’t imagine finding out anything more important about this industry to expose other than the child abuse and fraudulent business practices that occur. I expect this to be the final resting place for this site.
{ 8 comments }
BRING BRENDAN HOME!!!!
Here is just another reason why unproven, unprofessional residential-teen-program businesses are dangerous!
On August 31,2009, Brendan Spelman was abducted by two men and put on a plane headed to Hurricane, Utah to a place called Diamond Ranch Academy. For more information, please see this link (to the appropriate blog entry.).
Please try to comment after the appropriate article so others may understand the entire discussion.
Comments in response to blog posts should be posted under that particular blog entry. This front page is closed for posting & comments as of 10/02/2009. ….. thanks for your cooperation.
I got the idea that you are discounting the experience of someone who has actually been a consumer of the exact program in question by the first line of your post, which says “Being you are a former parent with a son who graduated from SageWalk, I wouldn’t expect you to say or do anything but praise the program even in the wake of the death of a child.” That is where I got the idea. I don’t follow why you would ask, “Where on earth did I “refer to “a former parent of a son who graduated from SageWalk” as someone who is unqualified to have any real insight into the workings of SageWalk.”????
You also say that my son (and I?) have been brainwashed when you say, “However, your words would hold so much more weight if you were speaking of a program experience that occurred at least 15 years ago. That is the minimum amount of time it takes for the brainwashing to wear off and for reality to set in. ” I don’t believe there has been any brainwashing in my or my son’s experience. So I refute that idea.
I think that the stories of those whe have been abused, and I have read them, are real. I think it should give any parent pause. I am glad the stories are told and are out there. I understand the service that you are providing when it comes to this idea. But the disservice comes in the fact that you are lumping every program into one. Regulations are needed to sort out the effective and reputable from the scams. That I think can be agreed on.
When my son was in the program, I received a close up individual photo of him WEEKLY that was not posed. I received a weekly hour long phone call from his therapist. I received weekly hand written letters from him. And by the way, Even with all the resarch we did in chosing a place we could trust, I gave him a “code-word” to use in his letters in the event that there was somehing amiss that I should investigate. It was agonizing to make the decision to send him anywhere.
In response to your last comment, “On a side note, why do you think you had to hire strangers to “train” your child to do the right thing? Isn’t this our job as parents???? Don’t we owe our children unconditional love and to guide them through both the good and bad parts of growing up all while respecting them as individuals? — Just some food for thought….
What I would like to say to this is that Yes, it IS our job as parents to know when we are not skilled enough to effectively deal with some very serious problems and to seek out resources to help us to reach our children. We spent two years and tried an exhaustive array of tactics and techniques to stop our son from spiralling into a deep dark hole of lies and drugs. We needed help and we received it from SageWalk. Infact, we continue to receive counseling phone calls as part of their AfterCare Transition program as well as webinars on topics of intrest to parents raising children in recovery. They Care. And that is why most of us parents of
SageWalk graduates do not want them to be thwarted in the good work that they provide.
I would like to thank the parents of the Sagewalk graduates for posting comments about Sagewalk and the staff. I too have had a personal experience with Sagewalk and must say, the staff are some of the most dedicated people I have ever met. They are compassionate, empathetic and loyal individuals who are there for the children. I agree with the above post that the investigation will uncover that an “underlying, undetected medical issue will be the cause of this terrible tragedy.”
I know that everyone at Sagewalk is extremely saddened by this loss. I don’t think the negative press from people who only have bits and pieces of information or try to compare wilderness therapy to the public school system is necessary or helpful. I honestly feel that Sagewalk is a wonderful program that ANY teenager, with or without “behavioral or drug problems” would benefit from. My sympathy goes out to the family and to Sagewalk.
Like I said to the person who created the last post. I too believe that the people of SAGEWALK are probably very dedicated, compassionate, empathetic and loyal… this is NOT what is in question here. The question is what makes them qualified to care for the life of a child (and obviously, not always successfully)?
I’m sure SageWalk is extremely saddened by this loss…especially those who (unqualified as they are) work with the children.
I agree that comparing wilderness therapy to the public school system is necessary or helpful. It’s kind of like comparing the proverbial apples and oranges. This was done by one of the people trying to defend the SAGEWALK program.
I hear that you feel that Sagewalk is a wonder ful program that ANY teenager with or without problems would benefit from… I just as passionately (if not more so) believe that group residential programs, however good-intentioned, are not appropriate for any child.
As with marianne, my son also graduated from SageWalk. I cannot say enough about the program or the staff. In addition to all that has been mentioned by marianne, the staff should also be commended. They are all SO dedicated to these children. It is almost beyond belief. During our overnight with the boys in the field, my son became slightly ill,…I now know due to nerves. The medical team, and staff, were on it immediately! Even though “Mom” was there, I didn’t have to do anything but sit with him. He was given top notch are and was better the next day. (Worth mentioning that I am in the medical field and recognize good care when I see it). Every staff member I met was highly educated and tremendously compassionate. My son is back and I can only thank SageWalk for that. He even talks about wanting to be a counselor at SageWalk so he can give back what he was given.
With that said, and knowing how difficult it was to make this decision for my son, AND THEN follow through with it…I feel deeply for the family who lost their child. I, in no way, would minimize their loss. I am confident that when the investigation is complete, an underlying, undetected medical issue will be the cause of this terrible tragedy. We will keep this family, and our SageWalk family in our prayers.
Being you are a former parent with a son who graduated from SageWalk, I wouldn’t expect you to say or do anything but praise the program even in the wake of the death of a child. All of these programs operate in the same manner. I used to sing a programs praises as well after I “graduated” from it. This is how the scam is able to continue. I don’t doubt that you believe everything you are saying and I do understand that.
However, your words would hold so much more weight if you were speaking of a program experience that occurred at least 15 years ago. That is the minimum amount of time it takes for the brainwashing to wear off and for reality to set in. It will take your son that long to get over the trauma and remember the truth about his experience. (Well, it may take that long, however it may not. After rereading your post, I realize that you have mentioned that he was already feeling ill from nerves while in the program.)
I also believe that the staff are dedicated to these children, especially since most are former ’students’. Unfortunately dedication isn’t quite enough to run a safe and effective program (which is why that very phrase is an oxymoron.)
The problem with “programs” is not lack of dedication, but lack of knowledge. Many of the people involved in running a program are dedicated to what they do…. it’s just that they simply are NOT qualified to take the life of a child into their hands.
As far as your overnight experience with the boys in the field; I think it’s fantastic that they have added that element to the program, however, there is still no way you can know what being in a program full time is like by one night. You also can not expect the program to be run the same way when parents are there versus when they are not. The reason the staff was so quickly attentive to your son is because you WERE there. I thank God, his illness occurred at that time, otherwise you may be in the same situation as this most recent unfortunate boy who lost his life in this program.
I also understand that it was difficult for you to make this decision and even more difficult to follow through with it… but that isn’t the way it was for Sergey’s family. Sergey went into the program voluntarily which is what makes this incident all that much more tragic. He went in the program expecting to find a better way to live, and never even lived long enough to get out of the program.
I’m not sure why you are confident that when the investigation is complete, that an underlying, undetected medical issue will be found as the cause of this terrible tragedy. Is it because this is the rote result of many of these program death investigations? Because surely you are correct if this is the purpose of your assumption. But I am more interested in the ACTUAL cause of death rather than the rote reason. Sergey had a physical as required by SageWalk prior to beginning this program. He passed with flying colors. So why would there be yet another “undetected medical issue” underlying this tragedy?
I hope for the sake of this boy and his family that if indeed the first medical examiner concludes that this was the proverbial “prior undetected medical condition” that the parents get an unbiased “second opinion.” Too many previously healthy children are dying “unexpectedly” in these programs due to “prior undetected medical conditions.”
My sympathies go out to Sergey’s mother, I know this is a tough time, but I hope she stays strong and diligent in fully investigating her precious son’s death.
I’m confused. Admin refers to “a former parent of a son who graduated from SageWalk” as somewone who is unqualified to have any real insight into the workings of SageWalk. Does that make sense? So every one who has ever had a good thing to say about THIS particular program called SageWalk has been brainwashed by SageWalk. Imagine what it would take to pull that off? They must be pretty talented! And for over 12 years!
I am sorry that whatever program you went to did not serve you well. ALL programs are not the same. THIS program is valuable and provides a service that is badly needed today.
In every sport, athletes die on the field unexpectedly even after receiving standard physicals because of catalysts to undetected conditions. I’m not suggesting that SageWalk is a sport, so please don’t jump on that. What I am suggesting is that the statistical probablilty of this occuring accross a variety of venues is very very real.
It is a tragedy for all involved but should not be a reason to automatically blame the facility or the people whe were unfortunate enough to be present.
Plus by saying that anyone who has anything good to say about SageWalk is brainwashed…well, that only makes it harder to give any credence to anything else that you have to say. Truely, it is sad to know that you have had a bad experience with SOME OTHER wilderness program perhaps over 15 years ago. Clearly that has turned you against ANY and ALL programs past, present, and future.
Those of us in the trenches with children hellbent on destroying themselves need the resources of a program like SageWalk because it offers a way to access these kids that is just not possible any other way. My son is real, authentic, and happy for the first time in memory. And we learned the skills from this program that will benefit us our whole life.
That is the message that needs to get out there. Do your research. Trust your instincts. And be willing to do what it takes to help your child. SageWalk was a positive, pivotol step in our journey as a family.
No brainwashing. Just truth and first hand experience.
Where on earth did I “refer to “a former parent of a son who graduated from SageWalk” as someone who is unqualified to have any real insight into the workings of SageWalk.”????
You probably should re-read the post. I have never said a parent of a SageWalk Grad is unqualified to have any real insight into the workings of SageWalk. I simply said that the “words would hold so much more weight if you were speaking of a program experience that occurred at least 15 years ago”
Although now that you bring up this point… it is difficult to see how a parent who spent only one night out in the wilderness with a child would have any way of knowing the ” real inner workings” of any program.
This program did not just pop up out of the clear blue sky one day. Do you even know the history behind SageWalk? I wish my site was up to date so you could do the research yourself.
Unfortunately it is not up to date because this is something I do only on my spare time (spare time of which I don’t have much).
Due to varying circumstances I’ve had to move the site around to different servers… I expect that once I do have all of my documents and paperwork posted on the site you can then learn (if you are willing) about the history of SageWalk and the relationship it has to all of the other programs out there.
You may even learn what I have learned about residential programs, brainwashing, social psychology, cult-like atmospheres and why, regardless of original intentions, the very make up of a residential program produces circumstances that are generally not good for any of the individuals involved.
I am a parent today of teens and grown children. I never ever felt the need to put any of them in a program… although to be honest with you when I did go through a rough patch with one of my children when he was in his teens. I was looking up information on the internet and found this “new breed” of programs. For an instant I almost bought the lines that were written, but then the red flags started waving wildly. This is when I decided to do a little research into these programs and found to my horror that they still existed and now the new brand was even worse because now kids were actually DYING IN THE PROGRAMS. I knew that if I, a parent who had once been in this type of program, considered using one of these programs even for just an instance that other parents without my previous experience would surely fall for the sales lines. This is exactly why I felt obligated to alert parents to the truth about residential-type programs.
If you had a great experience, hurray for you! If your child had a great experience even better…. It’s truly a rare thing, and almost impossible to believe, but you have your perspective as I have mine.
I am more interested in reaching parents who may be considering putting their child in a program rather than debating outcomes of people who have already been there. Mainly because I know your mind may be set forever and that’s ok. My goal is to prevent any more deaths and any more abuses from happening in the future.
On a side note, why do you think you had to hire strangers to “train” your child to do the right thing? Isn’t this our job as parents???? Don’t we owe our children unconditional love and to guide them through both the good and bad parts of growing up all while respecting them as individuals? — Just some food for thought….
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