About Teen Advocates USA

Teen Advocates USA is a private not-for-profit children's rights educational and public advocacy website dedicated to improving the status and well-being of America's youth through judicial, legislative and social policy reforms.

Founded in 1998 by Barbe Stamps, (see news archives) a long-time critic of the privatized troubled teen industry and pioneer in the advocacy and protection of children sent to residential programming facilities outside the United States, Teen Advocates USA has evolved into a strong voice advocating for the right of all children to constitutional and statutory protections against institutionalization without due-process and other civil and human rights abuses which occur under the guise of private (meaning not government funded) residential treatment facilities and programs.

"No child in America should have to fear being preyed upon by persons who profit from recruiting children for involuntary commitment into private, money-making institutions in the United States or overseas. This practice of "CASH FOR KIDS" has led to tens of thousands of America's youth being institutionalized without legal authority and fueled the fast growth of a private industry that thrives on children as a commodity - a veritable cash crop", says Stamps in a forthcoming position statement on proposed legislation to regulate the multi-billion-dollar private teen treatment industry.

HOLY THE CHILDREN is a memorial that seeks to honor and remember children who tragically lost their lives while in the custodial care of a private or state-run residential children's program or institution. Created by Barbe Stamps and online since 1999 there are over 125 children's names currently listed on the memorial wall which also includes informational articles and resources for parents, other family members and friends.

INNOCENCE, BETRAYED is an educational and public advocacy project of Teen Advocates USA aimed at raising awareness about the plight of America's youth who come in contact with the juvenile or criminal justice system. Created by Barbe Stamps and online since February 2007, Innocence, Betrayed offers extensive information and resources for the public, media, policy makers, law enforcement and juvenile justice professionals.

Are you a parent at your wit's end considering placing your child in a private specialty school or program? If so, please read this message for important guidelines and information relative to the teen treatment industry and unscrupulous entreprenuers using the Internet to prey on desperate parents.