| Founded | April 19, 1992 Clarinda, Iowa, United States [1] |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | |
Key people | John "Jay" Ripley [2] |
| Revenue | $154,000,000 |
Number of employees | about 2,500 [3] |
Sequel Youth and Family Services is a private for-profit operator of behavioral healthcare facilities for children and youth in the United States. The company is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama and owns a nationwide network of over 40 facilities in more than 15 states, including residential treatment centers, group homes, special schools, and community-based programs. [4]
Sequel Youth and Family Services were formed out of Youth Services International (YSI), a for-profit juvenile corrections company. Adam Shapiro and John "Jay" Ripley, who both worked for YSI, co-founded Sequel Youth and Family Services in 1999 and currently serve as co-chairmen on the company's board.
Sequel was initially founded to operate Clarinda Academy, a youth residential facility in Clarinda, Iowa. [5] Sequel has expanded over the years by acquiring various youth facilities across the country, including some former YSI facilities. [6]
In September 2009, Sequel Youth and Family Services acquired Three Springs Inc. (TSI), an operator of youth behavioral health facilities based in Huntsville, Alabama. [7]
In September 2017, the private equity firm Altamont Capital acquired a majority stake in Sequel Youth and Family Services. [8]
In September 2021, Ripley formed Vivant Behavioral Healthcare to "buy a majority of the business of Sequel Youth & Family Services." [9] [10]
There have been a number of cases of abuse at Sequel facilities. [11] [12]
In mid 2019, the firm closed Mount Pleasant Academy and Red Rock Canyon School both in St. George, Utah after press reports of sexual abuse and a riot at the Red Rock Canyon facility. [13] Ten members of staff at the Red Rock Canyon School had been charged with child abuse. [14]
In 2019, the state of Oregon brought home all foster children it sent to out-of-state Sequel facilities. [15]
In April 2020, 16-year-old Cornelius Frederick was killed by staff at the now-closed Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo. As a result of the death, the company lost its license to operate in the state and facility was closed. [16]
In February 2021, the company announced it would close the Clarinda Academy in Iowa. The school, which operated under a contract with the Iowa Department of Human Services, faced charges of rape of children, beatings, and indefinite use of solitary confinement. [17]
In March 2021, a staff member at the Falcon Ridge Academy in Virgin, Utah was arrested on charges of sexual battery for showing pornography to minors and spanking 4 patients. [18]
In July 2021, the state of California brought home all foster children it sent to out-of-state Sequel facilities. [19]
As of 2021, the following Sequel-owned facilities have closed: [20]
In 2021, Sequel ran the following facilities: [21]