This is the History of and Reporting Guide for Solstice RTC in Layton, UT (and North Carolina)

(aka Pathway Academy LLC, Solstice East (in North Carolina), Equinox (in North Carolina)

 

On this page you will find incomplete staff and complaint histories with sources cited (i.e. Progress Report), the general advisory against segregated congregate care with sources cited, and a reporting guide for those unlawfully harmed or firsthand witnesses to unlawful harm by or at this location to report violations of the law to the proper authorities/law enforcement.  The staff list itself will not be updated with additional names out of a sense of fairness where those providing the names ask for anonymity or confidentiality.  And, this program will remain eligible for merciful release if all criteria are met and no guest sermon is provided by a qualifying sponsor by that time.  In the meantime, it can graduate the COPE Conversion Program by meeting the Honesty In Marketing Standards (HIMS) or permanently close to be removed from the watch-list/released from the COPE Conversion Program.  If permanently closed prior to graduation or merciful release, it will be buried in the virtual graveyard

 

Name

Unit/Position

Additional Information
Kristi Ragsdale Admissions Ragsdale is not a licensed professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Keoni Anderson (full name is reportedly Parker Keoni Anderson) Human Resources/Founder Anderson is not a licensed professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html  Anderson reportedly formerly worked for Island View RTC.
Dan Stuart CEO/Founder/Therapist Daniel Andrew Stuart (may be a different person) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Utah and has been since August, 1996.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html  Reportedly formerly worked at Island View RTC.
Kyle Gillett Admissions/Founder Kyle Stephen Gillett (may be a different person) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Utah and has been since August, 2005.  He earned his degree at Brigham Young University.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Virginia Scott Academic Director Virginia Scott is not licensed through the Office of Professional Licensing.  HEAL is in the process of determining whether or not Scott is a licensed educator through the Utah State Office of Education.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html   Scott reportedly no longer works at this program and is currently (2021) working at ROOTS Transitions.
Jennifer Selent Therapist/Clinical Director (former) Jennifer Lynn Selent (may be a different person) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Utah and has been since December, 2008.  She earned her degree from Western Michigan University in August, 2006.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Rick Jackson Medical Director There are too many Richard Jacksons licensed under various professions in Utah to determine whether any are the individual listed here.  HEAL would require the middle name of this individual to complete our research.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html  Reportedly formerly worked for Island View RTC.
Kami Black Therapist/Clinical Director Kami Lyn Black (may be a different person) is a licensed cosmetologist and licensed clinical social worker in Utah.  She has been a licensed clinical social worker since September, 2010.  And, she earned her degree from the University of Utah in August, 2007.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html  Black reportedly no longer works at this program and is currently (2021) working at ROOTS Transitions.  Black reportedly worked at Life-Line before working at Solstice. 
Rod Russell Program Director There is a Rodney William Russell (may be a different person) that is a licensed substance abuse counselor.  The requirements for becoming a licensed counselor are limited and do not suggest an individual qualified to be a program director.  Russell has been licensed since November, 2007.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Stacey Rosenberg Teacher/Recreation Director Stacey Rosenberg is not licensed through the Office of Professional Licensing.  HEAL is in the process of determining whether or not Rosenberg is a licensed educator through the Utah State Office of Education.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html  Rosenberg reportedly no longer works at this program and is currently (2021) working at ROOTS Transitions.
Heather Blair Residential Mgr./Therapist Intern Heather Gene Blair (may be a different person) is a licensed professional counselor in Utah and has been since November 28th, 2011.  She earned her degree at the University of Phoenix.    Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Shaylee Stevenson Nurse Stevenson is a Registered Nurse in Utah and has been since May, 2007.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Megan Watson Fitness Director Watson is not a licensed professional in Utah.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Sharon Millgate Equine Specialist Millgate is not a licensed professional in Utah.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Mindy Saline Admissions Saline is not a licensed professional in Utah.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Blake Taylor Therapist Blake S. Taylor (may be a different person) is a licensed professional counselor in Utah and has been since July, 2004.  Taylor earned his degree at Idaho State University.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Sue Hoffman Therapist Susan Carol Hoffman (may be a different person) is a licensed clinical social worker in Utah and has been since October, 2007.  She earned her degree at the University of Utah.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Amber Norsingle Mentor Norsingle is not a licensed professional in Utah.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Kimber Parry Mentor Kimber Parry is not a licensed professional in Utah.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Rachel Saggboy Mentor Rachel Leann Saggboy (may be a different person) is licensed as a Radiologic Technician in Utah and has been since August, 2010.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Jennifer Weese Admin. Asst. Weese is not a licensed professional in Utah.   Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Wes Selent Staff Wes Selent is Jennifer Selent's husband and both have reportedly worked jointly at Solstice RTC in UT, Solstice East in NC, and Equinox in NC.
Georgia DeFrancia Therapist Name reported by survivor May 16th, 2019.
Melissa Child Therapist (Summer Team) Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Child reportedly formerly worked for La Europa.
Jeff Lavellee Therapist (Winter Team) Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Lavellee reportedly formerly worked for Island View RTC.
Eliza Hitz Therapist (Winter Team) Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.    Hitz reportedly no longer works at this program and is currently (2021) working at ROOTS Transitions.
Jamie Palmer Therapist (Autumn Team) Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail. 
TJ Rowden Therapist (Autumn Team) Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Rachel Nielsen Therapist Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Aubrey Riddle Therapist Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Kyle Gillett Therapist/Marketing Dir. Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Reportedly formerly with Telos RTC.
Lanae Kimber Therapist Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Julie Hansen Dietician Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Tori Morrison Residential Director Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Ryan Campbell Summer Team Mgr. Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Kim England Autumn Team Mgr. Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Sarah Fletcher Autumn Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Virginia Collins Autumn Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Melyssa Parry Autumn Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Liz Jagman Autumn Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Brittany Harms Autumn Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Aaron Ames Autumn Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Shauna Ross Autumn Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Becky Green Winter Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Rachel Saggboy Winter Lead/Mentor (promoted to House Mgr.) Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Emily Banner House Manager Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Justin Clark Winter Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Heidi King Winter Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Laura Webb Autumn Team Mgr Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Nicole Lee Winter Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Jackie Tuminello Winter Lead/Mentor/Rec Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Tuminello reportedly no longer works for this program and may be currently working at Second Nature Wilderness.
Noel Koons Winter Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
BreeAnn Manning Winter Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Liana Ho Winter Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Alicia Sherman Winter Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Ben Durant Winter Team Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Reportedly Dan Stuart's son-in-law.
Kaitlyn Tyrrell Winter Team Mentor/Asst Chef Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Amber Norsingle Summer lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Jenny Brower Summer Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Sable Henman Summer Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Jessalyn Abt Summer Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Lacey Buttars (King) Summer Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Delia Leyba Summer Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Whitney Koontz Summer Lead/Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Emily Lane Summer Team Asst. Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Kim Haweks Summer Team Asst. Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Sydney Haga Summer Team Mentor Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Haga reportedly no longer works at this program and reportedly currently works at Eva Carlston Academy.
Diana Weber Head Chef Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Sarah Songer-Smith Admissions Director Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Lynn Herre Admin. Asst. Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Michelle Robinson Transportation/Office Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Steve Popes Maintenance Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Alysa Stuart Human Resources Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Reportedly Dan Stuart's daughter-in-law.
Virginia Scott English Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Carissa Hill English Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
John Graves History Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Lise' Palmer History Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Jesse Davis History Teacher/Rec. Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Kimberly Beck Math Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Mindy Stoker Math Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Kellen Puskar Math Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Julia Carper Science Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Matt Keele Science Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Jamie Murphy Science Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Chad Walquist Science Teacher Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Janice Black Special Ed Consultant Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Erik Yost Adventure Therapy Dir. Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Yost reportedly no longer works for Solstice (March, 2021) and now reportedly works for Roots.
Kirk Simon Psychiatrist Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.  Reportedly formerly worked for Island View RTC.
Melissa Helgesen Nursing Director Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
Bridgette Hooton Nursing Director Name reported by survivor December 1st, 2020 via e-mail.
SOLSTICE EAST (NORTH CAROLINA) LOCATION
Sarah Lewis-Fernandez Therapist  
Rob Jacoby Therapist  
Danielle Manion Team Leader  
Danielle Willis Team Leader  
Noah Granade Mentor  
Mark Dunn Therapist  
Tim Doyle Mentor  
Georgia Defrancia Therapist  
Danielle Andrews Therapist  
Rick Pollard Executive Director  
Bri Anicetti Team Leader  
Mona Rice Psychiatrist  
Tiffany Sauls Psychiatrist  
Dan Hadley Psychiatrist  
Ryn Blecke Head of School Head of school since 2017.
Brian Tomas Head of School (Former)  
Anna White Therapist  
Zac Tompkins Therapist  
Gaynor Mulrooney Human Resources  
Becca Jeffries Admissions  
Brinkley Werley Therapist/Director of Journey Home Formerly worked at the Solstice RTC in Utah.
Charlie Falatea Executive Director Formerly worked for West Ridge Academy FKA Utah Boys Ranch.
MaKenzee Townsend Program Director  
Kimberly Peterson Admissions  
Nate Pack Art Teacher Pack reportedly worked for Island View AKA Elevations RTC.
Megan Harrah Mentor  
Andrea (Andi) Carlstrom Staff  
Lanae Kimber Staff Kimber reportedly no longer works at this program and now (2021) works at Uinta Academy.
THE TRUTH:

All segregated congregate care providers, including those on our watch-list, are welcome to contact us to correct any information or provide additional data that may assist with delivering the whole truth to the public.  The HEAL Mission of COPE (HEAL) found in many cases where this offer has been abused or resulted in revealing additional basis for our concerns. For some examples see feedback.  Now, we are willing to look at the facts and may have questions or require documentation backing up any claims.  We do verify licensing, academic backgrounds, and other qualifications when investigating and researching programs on our watch-lis/enrolled in the Conversion Program to assist consumers seeking additional information on such programs or victims requiring assistance with getting corroborating evidence of their claims.  We do that in order to make sure the information we provide is accurate and verified and cite our sources.  In the event any information we've posted is in error, we're happy to make a correction. 

HEAL does not support segregated congregate care for many reasons which include that many such facilities are abusive, exploitative, fraudulent, and lack effective oversight often as a result of fraudulent misrepresentation coupled with the ignorance of those seeking to enroll loved ones in such facilities, programs, schools, or centers without a valid court order and involuntarily.  In the United States such involuntary placements done without a court order are apparently illegal as they either violate the Americans with Disabilities Act community integration requirement or due process rights of those involuntarily placed.  Now, in regards to parents, in the United States parents have the right to waive their own rights, but, not the rights of their minor children.  See https://www.cope.church/legalarguments.htm for more information.  Now, most facilities on our watch list include waivers, indemnity clauses, and sworn statements legal guardians must sign assuring the program that the parents/legal guardians have the right to make the placement involuntarily and without due process in a segregated congregate care environment, however, California and federal prosecutors as well as settled law appears to suggest that is not the case.  In fact, in the David Taylor case found at https://www.cope.church/provocases.htm , Taylor sued Provo Canyon School and his mother as co-defendants.  His mother was found liable for 75% of the damages awarded to Taylor as a result of multiple complaints including false imprisonment, while the program was found only 25% liable because the mother owed a duty of due diligence to investigate anyone to which she would entrust care of her child and she failed to do so. 

Now, HEAL opposes segregated congregate care and we find most placements are happening illegally in the USA which if the youth understood their rights would result in unfortunate outcomes for the parents, particularly when they don't exercise good judgment and support the fraud and abuse rather than their own children when they need remedy and justice.  And, HEAL supports all victims of fraud and abuse in seeking remedies at law for any crimes or torts committed against them.  And, that's true whether or not the program or victims are in the USA. 

HEAL has a 5 point argument against segregated congregate care we'd like you to consider:

a.  Segregated care is unconstitutional and a civil rights violation.  It is only permissible if a person is unable to survive independent of an institutional environment.  For more on this, watch the HEAL Report at  https://youtu.be/C4NzhZc4P0A.  Or, see:   http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/  which includes in part:    "United States v. Florida – 1:12-cv-60460 – (S.D. Fla.) – On April 7, 2016, the United States filed an Opposition to the State of Florida’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  In the Motion, the State had asked the Court to rule, on a variety of grounds, that the United States could not recover damages for unnecessarily institutionalized children to whom the State had been deliberately indifferent."

b.  Institutionalization is always dehumanizing and coercive.  Institutionalization always harms the institutionalized and deprives them of protected civil rights.  Dr. David Straker, Psychiatry Professor at Columbia University's School of Medicine (Ivy League) explains this in detail at http://changingminds.org/disciplines/sociology/articles/institutionalization.htm.  "Many institutions, from prisons to monasteries to asylums, deliberately want to control and manage their inmates such that they conform and do not cause problems. Even in less harsh environments, many of the institutionalization methods may be found, albeit in more moderated form (although the psychological effect can be equally devastating)."  (See website linked in this paragraph for more info.)

c.  Institutionalization is not in the best interest of children.  Institutions are not ever better for a child than living with a loving family.  Source:   http://www.unicef.org/cambodia/12681_23295.html       

d.  Reform schools, residential treatment programs, and other segregated congregate care settings have been shown to be ineffective and harmful.  Best source on this currently is:     https://www.acgov.org/probation/documents/EndoftheReformSchoolbyVinny.doc

e. Boarding Schools, even the "good ones", result in a form of social death, isolation, and cause both anxiety and depression.  Therefore, it is clearly not in the best interest of the youth subjected to those environments.  Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jun/08/boarding-school-syndrome-joy-schaverien-review and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/11662001/The-truth-about-boarding-school-syndrome.html

Beyond the above arguments against segregated congregate care, we have reports from the NIH, Surgeon General, Yale University Studies, and much more showing the methodologies of behavior modification are damaging, harmful, and ineffective.  You can request these documents via e-mail.  In addition, for such programs offering academic services or claiming to offer diplomas, certifications, or the like, it is important to check to see if it is a diploma mill with no accredited academic services.  Please see article: "Avoiding Scams: What You Need To Know"  for important information on how to avoid education/training scams.

If you'd like to see what HEAL suggests rather than segregated congregate care (i.e. committing a crime or tort against your child if done against their will without a court order), please see articles: "Fix Your Family, Help Your Teen" and "Emancipation Guide".
Twitter Thread and Article on Protests Against Solistice East: https://twitter.com/heal247/status/1368735915732918274 
REPORTING GUIDE FOR VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND WHISTLEBLOWERS:
 
In North Carolina, the criminal statutes of limitation are 2 years on most misdemeanors and no statutes of limitation on malicious misdemeanors and felonies.  For civil suits in North Carolina, the statute of limitations is 3 years depending on cause of action.  In Utah, the criminal statutes of limitation are 2 years on misdemeanors, 8 years on many felonies, and no statute of limitations on child sex trafficking or murder.  For civil suits in Utah, the statute of limitations is 4 years. Here are your options:

Options for you to take action and/or seek redress/justice today are listed below:

1.  Report crimes such as assault, fraud, battery, labor trafficking, and child abuse to law enforcement in North Carolina and Utah. You can call the respective law enforcement departments below associated with the location where any crime occurred to inquire about filing an official complaint which may provide the probable cause needed to get a warrant for investigation and/or prosecution.  If abused in Utah,
LOCATION LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT
Solstice East in Weaverville, NC Weaverville Police: (828) 645-5700
Equinox in Henderson County, NC Henderson County Sheriff: (828) 697-4596
Solstice RTC in Layton, UT Layton Police: (801) 497-8300 you may also file a complaint with the civil regulatory body by clicking on "Submit A Concern" and completing the online form here: https://hslic.utah.gov/concerns-incidents


2.  File a consumer complaint with your home state's attorney general against Solstice RTC, Solstice East, and/or Equinox and include your request for compensation for any harm done to you.  If you live in North Carolina and/or would like to file consumer complaint as a non-resident with the Attorney General of North Carolina, visit https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/ If your home state is Utah or you'd like to file with the Utah State Attorney General as a non-resident, here is that link: https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/contact/complaint-form/

3.  If you do not wish to file a consumer complaint, you can contact a private personal injury attorney and look into suing in tort/civil court.  However, if you can't afford the retainer, you should expect to settle out of court with a non-disclosure agreement which may bar you from speaking publicly about the incident because you've agreed (even if with a grumbling assent) to the terms of the settlement. 
 
4.  You may send a new e-mail to rev@cope.church with subject "Post My Feedback" and we will post your feedback (e-mail printed to .pdf disclosing your name and e-mail address and any information in your e-mail with that subject) to https://www.cope.church/feedback.htm  and add a direct link to those .pdf files to this page . 

 5. You may also wish to provide a guest sermon.  Guest sermons are posted at https://www.cope.church/sermons.htm , under Progress Reports/Guest Sermons at https://www.cope.church/conversion.htm where appropriate, and on program info pages when applicable.  So, one provided by you on your program would also be placed on this page .  Guest sermons should be written into the body of an e-mail and sent to rev@cope.church . Your first and last name will be disclosed (contact info will not be unless you expressly request disclosure).  For sermons available on our site see https://www.cope.church/sermons.htm  (and sermon archives linked on that page).  If you have questions about this option, please contact rev@cope.church. Please see https://www.cope.church/givetoday.pdf  to get an idea what your sermon may be worth.
10/20/21: COPE Conversion Program Progress Report on Solstice East/Solstice/Equinox
External Link: News Article on Current Lawsuit (2021): https://twitter.com/heal247/status/1452414737556418565
2014 (2017) Lawsuit Against Solstice: https://www.cope.church/solsticelawsuit.pdf .

 

 Last Updated: March 1st, 2023

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