Documents
Kurn Hattin Homes for Children Review
Vermont State Board of Education
Chair Carroll stated that as the resolution passed by the Board just now makes very clear, the Secretary of Education has failed to comply with the requirements of Vermont statute and rule, thus leaving the State Board kind of high-and-dry. It’s been two months now since questions about Kurn Hattin Homes first arose. The Secretary’s inaction leaves these questions unaddressed and unanswered.
In fact, we can’t do a darned thing until the Agency of Education mobilizes itself to investigate reports it has received, brings to the Board its recommendation, and presents the Board with evidence that bears upon the school’s status as an ‘approved independent school’. Then, and only then, can the State Board convene a hearing on the matter and take action.
In the interests of making ourselves available to the people of Vermont, we always provide a public comment period at our meetings. However, because of the Board’s unique role as a quasi-judicial body, we must ask that members of the public not make comment to the Board on any matter that might come before the Board in its quasi-judicial capacity.
Chair Carroll understands that this restriction might be frustrating for some members of the public who may wish to speak. But keep in mind that you are welcome – even encouraged – to bring any concerns you may have about any school -- whether it be a public school or an independent school – to the attention of the Secretary of Education. John Carroll, 802-649-1988 John.Carroll@vermont.gov Daniel French, 802-828-1130 Daniel.French@vermont.gov ..... Troubling Reports About an Independent School
Kurn Hattin Homes Licensing Recomendations
Vermont Department For Children And Families
The following licensing recommendations from the Vermont Department for Children and Families describes the practice at Kurn Hattin of relocating similar aged groups of children to dorms of older and younger age groups during houseparent days off, replacing their previous policy of hiring substitute houseparents to supervise children in their own dorms. It is a practice that was first instituted at Kurn Hattin in 1969 – a self-serving policy of Kurn Hattin Homes for Children for over 50 years, which the Vermont DCF has identified as a “sexual” “flashpoint.”
The sexualized behavior that occurred was described as ongoing over the past one to two years, perhaps longer according to some youth interviewed. The behavior involveda significant span of age between the youngest and oldest participants (youngest 7 years old, oldest 11 years old). The behavior also involved several youth stating that they were uncomfortable with the sexual contact. One youth articulated that another youth told him to stop but he continued with the behavior. The behavior apparently occurred in Parent and Morrison Cottages as well as down the hill from the playground during recess. The behavior occurred despite house parents and other program staff supervising.
It has also been mentioned that house parents at Kurn Hattin occasionally have their own children in the cottage, further exacerbating the supervision problems. Beyond these issues, it also became clear that on weekends and breaks, in an effort to consolidate the smaller number of youth on campus and allow staff to have time off, certain cottages were closed, causing the mixing of youth in cottages, which created larger age gaps between residents staying in the same cottage. This was one of the identified flash-points where sexual boundary issues emerged.
The RLSI assessment is that supervision levels during the time that this behavior was occurring was approximately half of what it needed to be for safety. Instead of one house parent being responsible for 10 youth, Kurn Hattin would need at least two staff members supervising, especially during the most active parts of the day (primarily from the time the youth return to the cottage after school until bedtime) to ensure safety for all residents. Conversely, keeping the one houseparent per cottage model would require cutting the number of youth in each cottage in half (five or less) for an individual staff member to reasonably provide supervision. Supervising staff should not be responsible for other tasks while charged with supervision of high-needs youth, nor should non-residents be present. Youth of different ages and different cottages should not be mixed during breaks and weekends. ..... DCF 2019 Kurn Hattin Investigation
Fact Sheet: Sexual Abuse of Boys
Prevent Child Abuse America
How much do we know about it? Sexual abuse of boys is common, under-reported, under-recognized, and under-treated. Sexual abuse of girls has been widely studied, leading to awareness of the risk factors and prevalence. Unfortunately, there have been relatively fewer studies done on sexual abuse of boys, leading to inadequate knowledge about the facts related to this topic.
Under-reporting is a result of many issues. Boys are less likely than girls to report sexual abuse because of fear, the social stigma against homosexual behavior, the desire to appear self-reliant (boys grow up believing that they should not allow themselves to be harmed or talk about painful experiences), and the concern for loss of independence.
Although boys are more likely to be physically injured than girls during a sexual assault, physical signs of abuse may not exist and are usually only found within a short time period after the incident. Silence about this type of abuse is very common. Many victims feel that they want to forget about the event, want to protect the perpetrator, and fear the reactions by those told about the abuse. Those who choose to disclose details of abuse may also find that few resources are available to provide support or few actions are taken. In addition, it seems that the experience of sexual abuse has more severe and complex consequences for boys than for girls in respect to emotional and behavioral problems ..... Boys Are More Likely Than Girls to be Abused by a Female
The Effects of childhood stress on health across the lifespan
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Intensive and prolonged stress can lead to a variety of short- and long-term negative health effects. It can disrupt early brain development and compromise functioning of the nervous and immune systems. In addition, childhood stress can lead to health problems later in life including alcoholism, depression, eating disorders, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
Toxic stress results from intense adverse experiences that may be sustained over a long period of time—weeks, months or even years. An example of toxic stress is child maltreatment, which includes abuse and neglect. Children are unable to effectively manage this type of stress by themselves.As a result, the stress response system gets activated for a prolonged amount of time. This can lead to permanent changes in the development of the brain. .... The Negative Effects of Toxic Stress.
Kurn Hattin Alumni Directory
Kurn Hattin Homes for Children Westminster Vermont
The directory of Kurn Hattin Homes for Children alumni was made available for public download on the official Kurn Hattin Homes website during the years 2008, through 2009
In 2009 the directory was removed from the Kurn Hattin website and public download at the direction of the State of Vermont as a result of the insistence of Kurn Hattin alumni survivors after the residential school ignored multiple requests in writing and verbally to remove the document, which contained personal and private information of childhood student alumni of Kurn Hattin Homes. .... Kurn Hattin Alumni Directory
Vermont Senate Press Release
Allegations of Abuse at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children
From: Carolyn Wesley <CWesley@leg.state.vt.us>
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2021 3:26 PM
Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Statement from Senators on Reviewing Allegations of Abuse at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children
For Immediate Release
February 26, 2021
Media Contact
Carolyn Wesley, Chief of Staff
Office of the Senate President Pro Tempore
cwesley@leg.state.vt.us
802-734-0046
Statement from Senators on Reviewing Allegations of Abuse at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children
Montpelier, Vt. - Earlier this week, it was brought to the attention of Senators [by a former Kurn Hattin resident] that there are ongoing concerns about previous allegations of abuse at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, Vermont. We know that several state agencies have been involved in reviewing the situation at Kurn Hattin over the last six months, including the Department for Children and Families and the Agency of Education, and we have also heard reports of possible lawsuits from alleged victims.
We know that cultures of abuse can have devastating impacts for the victims long after the alleged abuse takes place. As Senators we take our responsibility to address these issues seriously. When we return from the Town Meeting week recess, we intend to take testimony in the committees of jurisdiction to learn more about the state response to these allegations and make sure that this issue doesn't fall by the wayside while we are in the midst of the pandemic.
Sen. Becca Balint
Senate President Pro Tempore
Sen. Brian Campion
Chair, Senate Education Committee
Sen. Ginny Lyons
Chair, Senate Health & Welfare Committee
Sen. Dick Sears
Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
Vermont Senate Kurn Hattin Hearings
Victim Impact Testimony
From: Carolyn Wesley <CWesley@leg.state.vt.us>
I recognize it must be incredibly difficult and frustrating to watch Senators come up to speed on issues that are so personally familiar and painful for you.
I know Senators were deeply impacted and concerned by what they heard today. The committees of jurisdiction - Education, Health & Welfare, and Judiciary - plan to continue to take testimony on this issue. We would welcome further input on who they should be hearing from and what questions they should be asking.
We also have identified an avenue for parties to share confidential testimony in committee, by submitting it in writing, although such testimony cannot be conducted in open committee meetings. If you would like to know more, please let me know.
We are endeavoring to bring light and higher scrutiny to this issue, but we know we risk exacerbating harm to victims if we don't get it right.
In consultation with legislative counsel, we have determined that confidential testimony can be shared with committee members in writing. In order for these documents to remain confidential, they can not be referenced in public testimony/discussion.
However, we recognize that such testimony may provide committee members with important additional information and perspective to inform future lines of inquiry and legislation. Such an approach has been used in the past with confidential inmate correspondence in justice oversight work.
To submit testimony in this way, please email the committee assistants for the relevant committees, state in your email that the testimony is confidential and should not be considered part of the permanent, archival record of the committee, and request that they distribute to committee members.
Committee assistant contacts:
Senate Education: jlowell@leg.state.vt.us
Senate Health & Welfare: nmarvel@leg.state.vt.us
Senate Judiciary: pdelaney@leg.state.vt.us
Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any additional questions,
Carolyn Wesley
Chief of Staff
Office of the Senate President Pro Tempore - Becca Balint
Vermont General Assembly
115 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633
(802) 734-0046
legislature.vermont.gov