KIDS Centers of America
| Founded | 1984 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Virgil Miller Newton |
| Type | Private behavior-modification/treatment organization |
Region served | United States and Canada |
KIDS Centers of America (often abbreviated KIDS) was a chain of behavior-modification and residential treatment programs for adolescents and young adults, founded by anthropologist Dr. Virgil Miller Newton. The organization operated several regional programmes across the United States and Canada, including: KIDS of Bergen County (New Jersey), KIDS of North Jersey, KIDS of El Paso (Texas), KIDS of Southern California (California), KIDS of Greater Salt Lake (Utah) and KIDS of the Canadian West (Canada).
History
Dr. Newton had previously served as the National Clinical Director of Straight, Inc. and left that organization in 1982 amid allegations of abuse and insurance fraud. He then founded KIDS as a "spin-off" network of treatment centers he intended to expand nationally.[1][2][3]
Program structure and methods
The KIDS programmes adopted a level-system (often five levels) in which newly admitted clients (often called "newcomers") were subject to highly structured routines, peer-monitoring, long hours of group sessions, isolation from family and friends, and other controversial methods reportedly borrowed from Straight Inc's model.[2]
Programmes
KIDS of Bergen County (New Jersey)
Started operating in 1984 and treated people between the ages of 12 years old and 22 years old.[4][5][2]
KIDS of Southern California (California)
Also called KIDS of Yorba Linda; opened March 1988 in Yorba Linda, California, in the same building later used by Straight Inc's Southern California expansion.[2] In May 1988, the programme was notified by the State of California Health & Welfare Agency that it was operating without a license. It closed in 1989.[2]
KIDS of Greater Salt Lake (Utah)
Opened January 1988 in Salt Lake City the program operated for two years when on January 19, 1990, two peer counselors they were arrested a 19-year-old patient who failed out to sign out forcing him into car the two counselors were detained at Salt Lake County Jail.[6] they were charged with unlawful detention and assaulted. In June 1990 the program had its license revoked and closed.[7]
KIDS of the Canadian West
In a Los Angeles Times article, it was reported that Newton authorized the Kids of the Canadian West, an organization based in Calgary.[2]
See also
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References
- ↑ Fein, Esther B. (May 24, 1987). "TURNING KIDS OFF DRUGS". The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
Dr. Miller Newton, a medical anthropologist, psychotherapist and the founder of KIDS,
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Hurst, John (March 24, 1990). "3 Youth Treatment Centers Linked by Abuse Accusations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
KIDS of Southern California was run under a franchise granted by Virgil Miller Newton, who was formerly the national clinical director of Straight. KIDS treatment centers in several states have been accused by former clients of alleged abuses similar to the allegations made against Straight.
- ↑ Palmer, Douglas D. (February 14, 1989). "'WAY HOME' ISN'T EASY FOR YOUNG ADDICTS". Deseret News. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ "JERSEY PROGRAM HELPS TROUBLED TEEN-AGERS". The New York Times. September 1, 1985. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
It is a private, nonprofit program for young people between the ages of 12 and 22 who abuse drugs and alcohol, have eating disorders - anorexia and bulemia - or suffer from behavioral problems.
- ↑ Fein, Esther B. (May 24, 1987). "Turning Kids Off Drugs". The New York Times Magazine. p. 26. ISSN 0028-7822.
- ↑ West, Brian T.; Eldard, Ray (January 21, 1990). "SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PROGRAM DEFENDED BY 50 PARENTS". Deseret News. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ↑ "KIDS OF GREATER SALT LAKE LOSES ITS LICENSE, WILL LEAVE THE AREA, STATE OFFICIALS SAY". Deseret News. June 18, 1990. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
State officials have suspended the license of KIDS of Greater Salt Lake, a controversial youth program whose methods of handling teen drug and alcohol problems drew criticism and lawsuits.
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