The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has revoked the residential treatment license of Provo Canyon School’s Springville campus. State regulators ordered all services at the facility for girls aged 12 to 18 to terminate by August 6, citing neglect and aggressive physical contact.
Why did Utah regulators shut down Provo Canyon School?
Utah state regulators cancelled the license after finding the school failed to provide necessary health and safety services for its clients. According to the DHHS, noncompliance issues included the use of unnecessary restraint, instances of neglect, and aggressive physical contact.
The school, which describes itself on its website as an intensive psychiatric youth residential treatment center, has 15 days to challenge the decision. The facility is currently considering an appeal.
What has Paris Hilton said about the closure?
Paris Hilton, 45, stated in a message to the BBC that the state’s decision confirms what survivors have known for over five decades. Hilton alleged that children faced a cycle of abuse, neglect, and trauma at the school.
“Today, the state confirmed what survivors have known all along: Provo Canyon School failed the children in its care,” Hilton said. She added that children still inside the facility now know “someone is finally coming to protect them.”
How does this impact residential treatment standards?
This development follows a long history of allegations against the school. While the school attempted to maintain its status as a psychiatric center, the state’s finding that it “failed to provide applicable health and safety services” overrides the facility’s internal descriptions of its care model.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must Provo Canyon School close?
State regulators ordered all services at the Springville campus to be terminated by August 6.
What specific violations were cited by the state?
The Utah DHHS cited aggressive physical contact, unnecessary restraint, and neglect.
Can the school stay open?
The school has 15 days to challenge the revocation and has stated it is considering an appeal.
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