Imprint Author

Cynthia Dizikes

Cynthia Dizikes is an investigative reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle

2/8/2021

After Abuse Probe, Another Sequel-run Program that Housed California Youth Will Close
One of the nation’s largest youth residential treatment programs is shutting down after California officials, prompted by a San Francisco Chronicle and Imprint investigation into rampant abuse allegations, decided to stop sending vulnerable children there.

1/28/2021

Amid Abuse Reports, Sequel-run Facility That Treated California Children Will Close
Sequel Youth & Family Services announced this week that it will close Wyoming residential campus Normative Services Inc. “after an evaluation of viability” of the program. Photo: Ashleigh Snoozy, Sheridan Press

A Wyoming treatment center where California had long sent troubled youth will shut down in March, following a Chronicle and Imprint investigation into violent abuse at its campus and others operated by Sequel Youth & Family Services.

1/14/2021

California Budgets $8 Million to Bring Youth Home from Troubled Facilities

California will spend more than $8 million to find safer homes for children returning from troubled out-of-state residential programs, in response to a Chronicle and Imprint investigation into rampant reports of abuse at the facilities.

12/18/2020

Confronted Over Abuse, California is Bringing 116 Kids Home from Far-Away Programs. Counties are Scrambling.
County officials across California are scrambling to find new homes for more than 100 children with mental health and behavioral issues, following the state’s landmark decision to stop shipping these young people to far-away facilities. The state’s abrupt shift came in response to an investigation by The San Francisco Chronicle and The Imprint, which detailed allegations of violent abuse at institutions certified by California.

12/11/2020

Far from Home | Far from Safe
California sent thousands of vulnerable children to out-of-state facilities run by a for-profit company. Reports of rampant abuse followed. Now, confronted with a Chronicle and Imprint investigation, the state is bringing every child home.