Survivor Advocacy Links
WWASP Survivors - WWASP Survivors is run by a dedicated group of concerned alumni of WWASP-affiliated programs. Their mission is threefold: to advocate for those still being held and abused in WWASP programs, to support those who have previously been held in a WWASP program, and to raise awareness of the true nature of WWASP to save children and their families from being abused and scammed.
National Youth Rights Association - The rights of young people are violated on a daily basis. We help people defend their rights by providing information on the legal status of youth rights based on current laws at the federal, state, and local level and analysis of case law and legal precedent, an action plan for how to respond to youth rights violations, and strategies for reinforcing and expanding youth rights on a variety of issues
Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint - Restraint and seclusion, outdated crisis management techniques that are commonly used in schools across the nation and beyond, are disproportionately used on disabled and minority children. These interventions are dangerous and can lead to significant trauma and injuries to students, teachers, and staff. Some children have even died as a result of the use of restraint and seclusion. There are far better ways to work with children that avoid the need for crisis management. Our schools should be moving towards neurodevelopmentally informed, trauma-sensitive, biologically respectful, relationship-based ways of understanding, and supporting students.
Safe Teen Schools - Safe Teen Schools is an informational service ran by a former student of a "Tough Love" boarding school. Our goal is to make sure the children enrolled in these types of facilities are being properly cared for. Such as but not limited to education, nutrition, medical treatment and mental health treatment.
The Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion - The Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS) was established in 2004 by leading education, research and advocacy organizations with a common goal: to eliminate the use of dangerous and dehumanizing practices as a means of managing challenging behavior. Led by TASH, APRAIS seeks to end of use of unnecessary and dangerous interventions in schools, treatment programs and residential facilities.
Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth (CAFETY) - CAFETY’s mission is for empowerment, education, and advocacy. It is a member-driven advocacy organization, led and driven by those with direct experience in residential care and our allies. We promote and secure the human rights of youth in or at risk of residential placement.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law - Since 1972, the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law has advocated for the civil rights, full inclusion and equality of adults and children with mental disabilities. We were pivotal in expanding the civil rights movement to include fighting discrimination against, and segregation of, people with mental disabilities. Today, the Bazelon Center accomplishes its goals through a unique combination of litigation, public policy advocacy, coalition building and leadership, public education, media outreach and technical assistance—a comprehensive approach that ensures we achieve the greatest impact.
TASH - TASH is an international leader in disability advocacy. Founded in 1975, TASH advocates for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs – those most vulnerable to segregation, abuse, neglect and institutionalization. TASH works to advance inclusive communities through advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources for parents, families and self-advocates. The inclusive practices TASH validates through research have been shown to improve outcomes for all people.
National Disability Rights Network - NDRN is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP). This includes hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or other treatment centers
National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health - The National Federation, a national family-run organization serves to provide advocacy at the national level for the rights of children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs and substance use challenges and their families.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry — The American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry was formed in 2013 as an affiliated 501(c)(6) organization of AACAP as a way for child and adolescent psychiatrists to increase their advocacy activities. Activities such as AACAP’s Legislative Conference, federal lobbying, grassroots, AACAP-PAC, and AACAP’s Advocacy and Collaboration Grants are all under the umbrella of the Association.