Normative Services students arrested

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Jan 22, 2009 at 10:30 AM MST

Story Updated: Jan 22, 2009 at 10:30 AM MST

SHERIDAN, WYOMING - Four male students at Normative Services Inc. in Sheridan County have been charged with battery against other students and staff at the institution.

Normative Services is a residential treatment program for adolescents with behavioral and emotional problems. Its campus is about three miles west of downtown Sheridan. The four students were arrested last weekend and taken to a juvenile detention center in Casper.

A judge has entered not guilty pleas on behalf of the four.

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dominic stroud said on Wednesday, Dec 28 at 11:10 AM

i was at nsi in 06-07 it is wat u make of it ive learned alot from them an whish i would have stayed there an finished my education i met alot of good ppl there to especially my 1-1 rod penfold hes a great mentor

ashley l said on Tuesday, Sep 13 at 10:41 PM

i was in nsi from 08 ~ 09 nd i worked my way to the "wolves club" in 12 weeks i was there when it went down hill i was there when these four boys assualted the staff,,, half these kids i was there with,, nsi was amazing im 19 now i was there when i was 15 ~ 16 then left nd went to a group home, the obly reason it went down hill was because of changes made in staff but also staff let children have too much control.. i then was an exect best potion u can be in there for the rest of my stay. i exceled at the program nd it made me grow up i do not agree with the step program of physical being touched if u dont do as ur told it made kids get more angry,, two of the girls i was there with who posted bad remarks made bad remarks because one didnt want to work nd take advantage of the progam the other did well but left to a STAFFS home out of tge kindness of that staffs heart but ran nd bad things were said about her... so the progam was a blessing to more then those that hated it. thank u nsi

jamio benz said on Saturday, May 21 at 3:39 PM

yo now that i look back that place was hell but you know it mad me a better man i was 17 teen when i left now im 20 it was hard there but i got thrue it so can all of u

NIKKIE LEE said on Monday, Apr 11 at 8:00 PM

I AM A FORMER NSI STUDENT I THERE WERE FIGHTS IS WAS EXCITING I LOOK BACK AND IT WSNT EXCITING IT WAS CRAZY. THE STAFF THT DIDNT GET FIRED WERE ABOUT AS BAD AS THE STUDENT WITH THERE DARN DRAMA AND INSTIGATING. WHEN I WAS THERE FOR THE FIRST MONTH OR SO I HAD ASSALTED STAFF WHEN I WAS BEING PHYSICAL FORCED TO COMPLY WITH A CONFRONT TO SIT IN A DESK. WHAT A TRIP I ENDED UP RUNNING STEALING A CAR AND GOING TO JAIL ANYWAY

naomi metcalf said on Monday, Mar 21 at 7:23 PM

THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE IS JUST HELLA SHAMEFUL...I WAS IN NSI BACK IN 07' TO 08' AND MY LIL BROTHER WAS JUST IN NSI SEVERAL MONTHS AGO JUST HELLA FRUSTERATES ME AND I HOPE NO ONE WAS BEIN ALL NASTY N MESSED UP 2 MY BRO...N YEA EVEN WEN I WAS THERE N GRADUATED I FOUND OUT WHO N WHO WAS DIRTY ABOUT THEIR JOB SHAME SHAME SHAME EVEN STAFF THAT I THOUGHT WAS REAL GUESS NOT RIGHT?? HAHAHA AND I WAS ONE OF NORMATIVES BEST STUDENTS YES BUT FORTUINENTLY MY OWN THINGS THAT OCCURED AFTER I DISCHARGED WERE HELD AGAINST ME N IM SOOO SHOCKED 2 HEAR WAT STAFF ARE SAYIN 2 ME BCUZ OF MY FRIEND THAT PASSED GIVE IT A BREAK I ONLY SAW HER 1 TIME AFTER WE GOT CAUGHT SO THATS NICE JOAN WEBSTER HELLA RUDE.......

cameron o said on Tuesday, Mar 15 at 11:52 AM

im at nsi i was a wr for football and i do track

kayce said on Thursday, Mar 10 at 9:02 PM

hi my sister is at nsi and i hope it isnt as bad as it was then.

Donna said on Monday, Feb 21 at 5:43 PM

I am a former student of NSI and in my whole 3 years of being there I found one person whom I loved very much and who honestly cared about what was going on and that was Mary. NSI was bad then and it is bad now. We had sex in transitional homes and everything else when I was there. They really need to get people who honestly are there for the students and not just there because it is a job.

MOVEDON said on Monday, Dec 20 at 11:29 PM

I AM A FORMER STUDENT AT NSI. THE PROGRAM WAS OKAY. SOME STAFF CARED AND SOME WERE DRUG ADDICTS. ONE FORMER STAFF(LEANN) WHO WAS ALSO THE P.M COORDINATOR IS NOW IN PRISON. SHE EVEN SNORTED AND HAD SEX IN THE BASEMENT. YOU COULDNT EVEN TELL YOUR PARENTS WHAT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE THEY MONITORED EVERY CONVERSATION. SOME STAFF DID CARE THOU AND IT DID TEACH ME SOME THINGS BUT KIDS NEED HELP,NOT TORTURE.

cynthia shedd said on Saturday, Dec 11 at 1:31 PM

i was at nsi for almost 2 yrs at the time when i was there i didnt take advantage of all the help that i could have but when i got out it tock me another year to be emotional ready for the real world but iam sooo grateful for ever going there the staff was wonderful i jus cant believe that it has gone down hill that realy sucks the way this program is based it can help kids out i have a better out look in life im 23 with no kids a wonderful job im no longer an addict or a drug abuser i have a better attitude in life its jus sad that there are kids there now that aren't going to get that same treatment if any staff from nsi reads this and remembers me from big goose thank you sooo much for the life changing experience!!!!!

David Hargett Jr. said on Friday, Oct 29 at 8:30 PM

If anybody has an answer for me, my e-mail adress is d1991change@yahoo.com

David Hargett Jr. said on Friday, Oct 29 at 8:28 PM

Why do i feel responible for this?

Anthony Smiley II said on Monday, Oct 18 at 1:23 AM

i was at nsi for 2 years at first it took me a while to adjust to the cowboys and the openness but adjusting didnt matter when u break ur own shot put record. (bout 7timeslol) it made meon thing that people need 2 realize is that ur there 2 change ur self and you need 2 be open to new things. their tools 2 help u in the future and help you deal with everyday lifeits a great place i still talk 2 staff members there and my shot put coach kurt thier are good people there and its a shame that its going to close. i was considering going back from flint michigan to visit for the banquet i seen a couple of the ol wolves club members in vegas and i met a girl that could still recite the 4 norms take the help if u want and dont ber so bullheaded and which ever student i was stubborn myself but youll get over that quick sitting against the house in a class room i think as a matter of fact that my record is still on the board for shot put you gotta take pride in where u live

darryle cravin said on Wednesday, Oct 6 at 11:00 PM

you look like the black version of frankenstien...goofy lookin coon

carlton anthony johnson aka shorty said on Wednesday, Aug 25 at 6:52 PM

man nsi was just a coo program that it its very stressful wen u from california u miss your family hella much...But the best staff there is gorge and jude riverside staff...ppl who know me hit me up on my celli 916-613-0121

Anonymous said on Thursday, Aug 19 at 3:05 PM

I was a student at nsi but I think tht staff chose their favorites it was always a battle a struggle not tht I didn't have my issues but I think tht there's always two sides to a story it goes both ways

Amanda {S} G. said on Thursday, Aug 19 at 1:06 PM

I was a former NSI student. When I first got there, I didn't like it at all. {Because I was far from home} But I soon learned that NSI was all about helping me succeed. I loved it there. I was there when I was 16 and on into 17. I am now 22 with children and a husband of my own. If I had a chance to go back today, I would. I agree NSI should still have Cal Furnish in charge.

Brandi D. said on Monday, Apr 19 at 8:39 AM

i was a former student at NSI you know there were good times and bad but all in all i came out a good person even though in was negativley discharged i still remeber the things i did to help out confrontation is the key to denial if you can't own up to your responsilbities then who will

DARRYL CRAVIN said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 11:47 AM

WAS UP THIS IS DARRYL.WELL I USE TO BE AT NSI.I WAS THERE FRM JUNE 2,2008 TILL JANUARY 30,2009.THEY FAILED ME FOR SOME S*** BUT ITZ WATEVER.I WENT TO RITE OF PASSAGE IN NEVADA AFTER AND FAILED TO SO NOW IM IN THAT BIG BAD ELFRIDA ARIZONA AT VISION QUEST.ANOTHER PROGRAM LIKE NSI.BUT YA THAT PROGRAM WAS MESSED UP THEY WERE PLAYIN US CALIFORNIA KIDS SO THATS ALLL OF UZ STARTED GOIN BAD ON THEM.BUT YA THE STAFF WERE HELLA NAIVE THEY DIDNT NO WAT WAS GOIN ON OR THEY DIDNT NO WAT THEY WERE DOIN.BUT ITS COO I ENJOYED MY TIME THERE GETTIN ASSULTED BY STAFF AND BRUTALLY BEATEN.HAHA.NAWE JUST KIDDIN.BUT IM OUT.WHOEVA READS THIS TELL JUDE AND GEORGE I SAID WAS CRACKIN.................. CALIFORNIA'S FINEST

Anonymous said on Saturday, Mar 13 at 9:40 PM

I was a student out at normative in 95-2000 the program's out there helped me out but it is sad to hear that the place is going down hill the sports programs helped me to find my tallints I hope that they can pick things back up

jacob orr said on Wednesday, Oct 28 at 12:17 AM

that place is hell for the kids who cant work the program i was one but i dident whant to go back so i behaved but some dont onderstand that

Stevie said on Tuesday, Sep 1 at 9:02 AM

that place is not fit for youth period

Jay said on Tuesday, Jul 28 at 2:16 AM

I was there for about 2 1/2 years and it was not a place i thought would change me and my ways. but now that its been 4 years since i left.. i see the changes the place did for me. its sad to hear things have gone so downhill. it was a great facility that im proud to day i attended.

Jessy Garcia said on Tuesday, Jul 21 at 8:22 AM

I was a former Executive Board Member at NSI. When I first arrived I didn't know what to think. It was so weird having other kids confront me on my negative behaviors. I spent alittle over 18 months there. I can trully savy that it helped me out alot. I have not been able to go back and visit, and most important give thanks to all of the staff that helped me out in my recovery. I heard from a former student there too that it has gone down the hole. It makes me sad because NSI can help alot.

woowooblower said on Sunday, Jun 7 at 12:57 AM

I'm pretty sure that the other campus's have issues like this going on. Read the kalamazoo newspapers. They have a now ex staff member on trial for 2 or 3 counts of some sexual offense involving a 14 yo boy that was in their sexual offenders program. I'm sure they have got to have issues amongst the entire company within management.

cecil said on Friday, May 8 at 10:04 AM

hey the bad things said are true ive been out of there for two months and the whole intire time the staff never knew what was going on around the porn,drugs,stealing,fighting, hopefully someone will speak and be heard.

Brandy Edlund said on Monday, May 4 at 5:57 PM

Wow, I am encouraged by the inspiration of these past students...I myself am a former staff who cares a great deal for the students and program...this program has and hopefully will again be a great program that values responsibility, accountablity, and safety for good kids that have made bad choices!! You the students are our inspiration and the reason many of us came to work each day!!! Thank you!

johhny said on Friday, Apr 17 at 12:45 PM

that placed helped me out but it is a bunch of bs. some of the staff members are crooked and while i was a student a staff stole 500 dollars worth of stuff from me. Staff have agendas and try to bring some kids down but there are some ones that really try to help change us. I have also seen a staff come in drunk and he busted me in the lip playing basketball. personally i think if they are trying to tell kids to keep there shit striaght then thety should be responsible and rolemodel and wo

Jamio Mercedes Benz said on Wednesday, Apr 15 at 10:34 AM

Well this Is Jamio again and I just want to say that cal furnish was a good director to Normative Services and me I liked him for his passion. And I don’t know why he gave up his spot at the top but that’s it bi

Former Student of 18 months said on Saturday, Apr 4 at 12:59 AM

i was at normative from nov.11th 04 to may 26th 06. when i first got there i hated it and i swore i would never say good things about it, the reason being is i was confronted on my behaviors by people my own age instead of encouraged... but i know from an inside point of view that was the best thing that could have ever happend to me nsi is an amazing place it just needs to have staff that care. Cal furnish did an amazing job at running that campus as well as the staff under him!

M Parent said on Friday, Mar 27 at 11:58 AM

My son is at NSI now. Though it is easy to be alarmed by newspaper reports and folks' comments, I have to say that NSI is the first placement that has brought hope to my son and myself. My son is thriving there, and changing in a positive way. NSI is allowing him to save and change his life.

KARISSA said on Thursday, Mar 26 at 12:55 PM

DAMN I SURE HOPE DOMINICK FRANKLIN AINT THE ONE WHO GOT IN TROUBLE!!!!!!!!!!!

Karissa Martinez said on Thursday, Mar 26 at 12:53 PM

Man Nsi is a good place and people just take advantage of a good place. I was there for about two years now i'm doing really good. them kids are just STUPID

kit said on Sunday, Mar 22 at 2:25 PM

hi..bye

JAMIO BENZ said on Thursday, Mar 19 at 1:43 PM

WELL ME JAMIO WAS AT NSI, AND NOW I AM BETTER THIN EVER BECAUSE OF NSI IF IT WAS NOT FOR THEM I WHOLD HAVE BEEN DAED BY NOW OR IN JAIL NOW I AM A MILLIONAR WITH MY DAD AT A MUSIC PLACS. WHEN I FERST WHENT THERE I HATED IT TO DEATH NOW WHEN ILOOK BACK I FILL SAID THAT WHAT IS HAPPENNING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THAT PLACE WAS THE BEST THING THAT HAPPEND TO ME EVER THATS LOVE YOU NSI AND IWILL MISE YOU VERY MUCH BI.

Dustie said on Friday, Mar 13 at 8:11 AM

Nsi will be getting shut down soon and every one will lose their jobs......simply because of bad management on the part of Bud Patterson

Parent of a Former Student said on Tuesday, Mar 10 at 7:55 PM

I must agree with Anonymous, my child was at Normative for 18 months 2004-2006 & is such a fantastic person today because of Normative & the Staff. I am very sadden to hear about what is happening with it now.

Former Employee said on Tuesday, Mar 3 at 10:15 AM

I worked for NSI several years ago and personally know the parties involved. After leaving NSI I maintained contact with several current and former employees. Bud Patterson took over a program that was being sunk by the previous administration. I know, I worked for them and left because of their actions. Knowing Mr. Patterson, I believe that he is one person who is capable of fixing the problems of the past. As for the employees that were let go, sometimes you have to "trim the fat".

!!!!!!!!!!!! said on Monday, Mar 2 at 2:54 PM

help use we are being brutaly beat and are being kept has slaves

???????????? said on Monday, Mar 2 at 2:53 PM

free the people let them free

john miller said on Monday, Mar 2 at 2:51 PM

Hi i am currently a student at NSI. Life at Nsi was more comfortable back in the day. Now we have no realx time and we are around peopple who are not really shure of what they are doing. It has been said wyoming is getting their contract canceled with NSI. I have been here around ten months and hopefully i will be home soon.

cameron said on Monday, Mar 2 at 2:51 PM

I am a current student as NSI currently at NSI dfs services in california and wyoming has found NSI unsuitable the boys and girls currently wyoming kids are being pulled out march 18 and california kid have already been pulled out in my eye this place is being torn down week by week

anonymous said on Monday, Feb 23 at 10:31 AM

I was a former employee impacted by those changes. The management changes were driven by a corporate culture where the new emphasis is on cost cutting and making additional money, all at the expense of those who need the services the most. We will probably learn this company is having similar problems at all of their programs.

Annonymous said on Saturday, Feb 21 at 12:57 AM

As a current staff at Normative Services I have to say when Bud Patterson took over everything went so far down hill, I wonder if it can be saved. He has let everything turn into chaos. He has gotten rid of a lot of staff who cared so much about the students and hired young kids that don't care about anything. I think what is going on out there is the saddest thing, the students and staff deserve to have someone who truly cares like Cal Furnish did.

Dustie Ellis said on Wednesday, Feb 11 at 3:20 PM

I was also a student and i have to agree that when Cal Furnish stepped down and Bud Patterson took over, things went from decent to very bad. i recently graduated the program and have to say that Cal was a much better person, he had more respect.

Anonymous said on Saturday, Jan 31 at 5:08 PM

I was a student at Normative Students... when i was there nothing that serious had happened... to be honest normative services was the best thing that happened to me and if it wasnt for them I would probably not be in the good position i am in today!

Concerned Parent said on Saturday, Jan 24 at 9:11 PM

Key positions where changed in late Aug-early Nov. by the new executive director, Bud Patterson. Clearly the management changes where not in the best interest of the students/staff/agency. NSI has not encountered such mass awols and assaults in the 19 years of existence.

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