Robert Lichfield

Robert Lichfield is an American businessman who was the founder of World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools.[1][2] He started working in the troubled teen industry in 1977. His first job in the industry was at Provo Canyon School as a dorm parent. Then in 1987 he started the Cross Creek School.[3]

Lichfield has been linked to controversial network of schools for troubled teens and allegations of abuse and fraud.[4] Lichfield was the founder of Academy at Ivy Ridge, as well as many other school programs reported to have committed child abuse.[5] These were documented in the 2024 Netflix docu-series The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping, which featured former students of the WWASPS programs.[6]

Lichfield is a long-time campaign fundraiser for Republican Senator and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ Williams, Timothy (July 24, 2013). "Students Recall Special Schools Run Like Jails". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024. Robert B. Lichfield, the founder of the network, the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools,
  2. ^ Weiner, Tim (September 6, 2003). "Program to Help Youths Has Troubles of Its Own". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Dahlburg, John-Thor (July 13, 2003). "Key to His Schools' Success? It's God, Founder Says". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 2165-1736. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "Romney's Top Fundraiser, Linked To Abuse And Fraud, Asked To Step Down". HuffPost. March 28, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  5. ^ Rood, Lee. "Parents of abused Midwest Academy students pursue founder". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Netflix Doc 'The Program' Exposes the Troubled Teen Industry". TIME. March 5, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Rood, Lee. "Midwest founder helped create troubled-teens industry". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Szalavitz, Maia (June 27, 2007). "Romney, Torture, and Teens". Reason.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.


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