State will license Anchor
Church-run facility may have new oversightBy ABIGAIL McWILLIAM, Messenger news editor
The state plans to make Anchor Character Training Center have a license similar to those used in child care centers and group homes across Iowa.
After consulting with legal counsel, Iowa Department of Human Services Director Gene Gessow has directed professional staff to prepare standards for the licensing of children's centers, according to DHS spokesman Roger Munns.
Anchor Character Training Center, 1940 225th St., is a coed home for troubled teens and the only facility in Iowa that falls under the children's center law. It is operated by the Harvest Baptist Church.
"The Iowa law that created children's centers does not include the usual and necessary language that grants specific rule-making authority," Munns said.
Anchor will be required to have standards for basic health and safety needs, protection from mistreatment or neglect, record checks for employees, records management and restrictions on the use of restraints or seclusion, Munns said.
However, current law does not give DHS or any other agency the authority to enforce the licensing standards.
Munns said DHS has asked legislators for advice on how to handle the law, which was created in 1999.
Rep. McKinley Bailey, D-Webster City, said he and other legislators are looking at a leadership bill, which is designed for situations like this when funnel week has passed. Funnel week deadline occurs during each legislative session when state bills must make it out of committee or cannot be considered for that year.
Bailey said several constituents contacted him to express concerns about Anchor Character Training Center.
"It's a problem that needs to be addressed and DHS doesn't have the power to address it," Bailey said. "We need to give the department the authority to regulate this institution. It's important for the welfare and safety of children in the area."
The leadership bill requires one of the leaders in the House and Senate to sign off on the bill, he said.
"I've had initial indication that we may get that," Bailey said.
Sen. Daryl Beall, D-Fort Dodge, agreed that a leadership bill is an option. He also suggested that adding oversight or regulation through a DHS appropriations bill might be feasible.
"It's still a moving target," Beall said. "I think that we definitely need to explore (licensing) and that any facility that has teens, like they do, ought to have oversight of some kind."
Last week, Sen. Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, voiced support for licensing the facility.
"On facilities like this one that care for adolescents, it should have some regulation or oversight by the state. We have to do what's in the best interest of the child."
Kibbie was unavailable for comment Thursday.
Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, said legislators are looking into the law.
"It needs more research," Miller said. "Because it is a church-run facility, there might be an issue of separation of church and state."
The current children's center law does not contain language that is essential for regulation, Munns said.
Statutes that establish regulatory licensing standards include three elements:
One is a requirement that an individual or organization must be licensed in order to deliver a specific service.
Another identifies a state agency that is responsible for actual regulatory activity and enforcement.
A third gives authority for the regulatory agency to write administrative rules to implement the law.
The children's center law, Iowa Code 237B, does none of these.
State law also prohibits children's centers from caring for any child under the jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services, the juvenile court or any other governmental program, he said.
''Despite the fact that the DHS has no regulatory authority over children's centers, it's important to make it clear that laws to protect Iowa children apply across the state in all facilities, regulated or not,'' Munns said.
Gessow said the department will continue preparing a set of less-specific rules for children's centers, but made clear that neither the rules nor the licensing standards are binding.
Both the specific licensing standards and the more general proposed rules will be ready before the end of the month, Munns said.
Marvin Smith, the pastor who runs the Harvest Baptist Church and the Anchor Character Training Center, declined an interview for this story.
Contact Abigail McWilliam at (515) 573-2141 or amcwilliam@messengernews.net
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LoverofGod
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03-23-09 3:32 PM
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I am not saying that the graduates of this school all end up on welfare. I am saying, however, that a lot of the graduates walk away from the church. Some obtain their GED's because the school is not accredited, which is not that big of a deal.
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LoverofGod
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03-23-09 3:28 PM
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Snickers, I was responding to lookatthefacts who doesn't really seem to have all of the facts. You cannot obtain that information about the testing. That's private and that is my point. Unless this person has had some kind of access to these records, they are merely repeating what they have heard said and just accepting it as truth. I don't believe the school can be under and heading of homeschooling, I could be wrong. As for qualified teachers, I cannot discount every teacher they have ever had, some have been very qualified, but MANY are not licensed nor have degrees in the area of teaching and some have no degree at all.
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SNICKERS
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03-23-09 1:46 PM
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(cont.) The pastor may be "turning the other cheek" but his silence could also mean he has nothing to validate his school and ministry.
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SNICKERS
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03-23-09 1:44 PM
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"Loverofgod" My reference to the "home skills training" was entirely related to HB students and NOT ACTC. Sorry if I was unclear. I figure at ACTC kids have been exposed to the real world and not brain washed from birth into HB. "HB girls are raised as missionaries" does that just mean more people knocking on doors to spread their fine word?? Also, being just a wife of" should never be a goal for anyone. "Look at the facts"...Please tell me where I can look up the info you referred to on HB testing higher than the mainstream. I DON"T KNOW and would love to see the proof. I realize MANY kids in public schools drop out and end up on welfare my fear was HB has the potential of adding even more to the rolls with an improper education. Someone stated these teachers are not even qualified. If true, is the school under the home school rules to get by these requirements???
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LoverofGod
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03-22-09 4:09 PM
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BTW, the "computer lab" you speak of, last check, were older computers that had been donated to the school. Most don't even have the current computer programs on them. And PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE...use this verse..."Does the Bible not say, "Judge not lest ye be judged" ??? " in context!!!!!!!!
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LoverofGod
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03-22-09 4:07 PM
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Not sure who your message was addressed to, but I wasn't criticizing those who do not make it at Harvest schools, but why you are comparing those graduates to the students who attend public school I have no idea. If the private school is suppose to be superior in teaching these kids how to live a godly life, why aren't they...is my question? It would be easy to blame it all on the kids or their families and no doubt some of the blame does belong there, but I am not foolish enough to accept that no fault lies in the church/school somewhere. I am well aware of what takes place in the school there in the realm of curriculum and am not just speaking off the cuff. Most if not all of the teachers there don't even have teaching degrees and some of the teachers do not even have a good grasp of the subject matter they are teaching. Where should we look up these statitics that prove that the kids in these schools test out higher? How do you have access to them? Have you seen them?
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prisrn
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03-22-09 3:35 PM
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redwood 973-I feel sorry for you. I suppose you believe in the big bang fairytale? Please explain DNA, then? Hopefully you are not trying to go out and brainwash anyone else with your OWN little beliefs- that truly would be causing someone to drink the "poison koolaid".
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lookatthefacts
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03-22-09 12:11 AM
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To say that the kids at the HBS do not receive proper education is rediculous. Both boys AND girls attend Algebra, History, Englsih, Chemistry, and P.E. classes at this school. Oh, and there is a computer lab, too. Computer and typing skills are taught. Internet does not need to be used to have computer skills. Not only that, the students of this school test higher than those in the public school. Look it up. The state is not ignorant of Harvest Baptist School, they do check on it. Why do we have to critize those who didn't make it in the Harvest Baptist School, or the ACTC, or the College???? What about those who do not make it in the public school? Those who graduate, or don't graduate, and still go do nothing? Anyways, who are we to judge? Does the Bible not say, "Judge not lest ye be judged" ???
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LoverofGod
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03-21-09 3:24 PM
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I'd be interested in knowing how many of the students that actually graduate from this school go on to serve the Lord or in some area of ministry. I know of several who don't even go to church anymore. Once they graduate, they're out the door and gone. Can we blame all of that on the students? I don't think so. There is a weak link there somewhere. I'd love to talk to some of those kids and find out why they made that decision. As for teaching the girls in the ACTC to be "keepers at home", the vast majority of those girls have no intention of just being a housewife. Exdodger, the curriculum they use is called A Beka not Abeeker. The law states that a private school SHOULD register with the state, but many churches with this belief system do not feel they are accountable to the state and hence don't register. The kids that graduate from the ACTC program & the Christian school are STRONGLY encouraged to attend the Bible College after graduation.... please note STRONGL
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newsjunkie123
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03-21-09 1:55 PM
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(cont.) most probably missionary or preacher or their wives. redwood973, I am speechless, for once.
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newsjunkie123
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03-21-09 1:49 PM
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(cont.) Perhaps even because they pray, they attend Bible college to become missionaries or preachers. firefly, Aside from your last comment and your first, I am mostly in agreement with you, however frankly you've put it. I guess the one thing I might add, in respond to you, is that HBC is a specialized school--specifically for people interested in a Christian future. Snickers, Pastor Marvin is not sitting back and letting his 'chosen' people support all of his battles; he is turning the other cheek, true to his faith. Jesus said to love and forgive and forget, and that is what he is doing. There are still a few of us, like myself, that have much more difficulty and (speaking for myself) don't lead as strong biblical lives. We feel the need to speak, whereas Pastor Smith is letting God do the talking. Snickers, I would also like to add in response to your homeskills for girls comment, that HBC is a specialized school for the Christian future, most probably missionary or
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newsjunkie123
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03-21-09 1:36 PM
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ddelly, no teacher raped a child at HBC. Otherwise, I must say that I agree with you. exdodger, I do not know the intricate workings of the HBC school. However, you say that teaching a spiritual mesage causes children to fall behind in school. This is true, academically. The religious belief would be that these children are growing spiritually in God. For the most dedicated to their belief, Sunday Bible Study and Bible college may not be enough. Their reason to "suject a child to only principles and not curriculum" as it is put, is because they put God first as they are taught, before anything else, including physics. For them, this is true Christianity. ddelly, I'm not sure I understand your comment at 6:32PM. Snickers, I have to say I understand you. The real-world awakening from the sheltered Christian life has been an argument not new to HBC. There have been people who have been able to support themselves on less than high school education. Perhpas even b
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firefly94
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03-20-09 11:08 PM
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I'm sorry, SNICKERS--It looks like I'm the one who interrupted you.
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ddelly
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03-20-09 7:00 PM
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I went to a church school (catholic) and had no problem with any public school acknowledging the validity of my curriculum , regretfully I still have children in the environment in Webster county HB organization, I would believe that Justice will be served in a action at law in spite of the Webster county attorney’s office ,the Iowa Attorney General (Tom Miller), dhs and the corrupted law enforcement that pretend to serve the citizens of Webster county, to free my children so that they can at a minimum have an equal opportunity to compete in a world that requires extraordinary expertise NOT a GED, that is when constitutional rights are in place again in the Webster county gov
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SNICKERS
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03-20-09 6:59 PM
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Sorry for my 2 part disjointed reply below, I was interrupted.
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SNICKERS
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03-20-09 6:50 PM
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quite confident you will advise if I am incorrect) but they strongly emphasize "home skills" for the young girls so they are trained to stay home cooking, cleaning and childrearing. I see a big concern there. They are not equipped to support themselves. If the males @ HB are just as educationally shortchanged, they can not be a sole support of a family on a min wage dead end job. Does the HB cult then support them the rest of their life (and their children or does welfare?? I would think Pastor Marvin would be thrilled to come forward and banish any incorrect notions. Maybe even provide a success story or two of HB students that have made a successful transition since their graduation. It doesn't look well he sits back and lets his chosen people support all his battles.
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firefly94
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03-20-09 6:48 PM
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Don't you think we need Christian scientists & attornies in this country? So why would HB not care to guide their students to their full Godly potential? Don't you realize how many people have become Christians after studying science & The Bible together? It sounds like people there @ HB have completely devoted their lives to dumb thinking!
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firefly94
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03-20-09 6:47 PM
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newsnunkie123--You sound so b u t t backward it's way beyond pathetic! Who do you think designed biochemstry, law & science of every kind? God is the root cause of all good so why would he not want his people to learn as much as they can about every aspect of His creation? In light of what you have said, I would DEFINITELY HOPE the public schools are different than the HBC school.
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SNICKERS
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03-20-09 6:42 PM
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NewsJunkie123 I feel HB uninvited visits to my doorstep are not only "bothersome" but arrogant and presumptuous. I find it clearly offensive they feel compelled to brow beat me with their religious beliefs because they feel they have stumbled onto the "inside track to God." I am also repulsed that these parents would knowingly deprive their own children of a sound education. IF NONE of their credits would carry over they are creating a MAJOR disservice to these children "in the name of God." After they leave the shelter of this little cult they will be forced to enter the real world. NO ONE can support themselves on a (less than sound) high school education no matter how hard they pray. I am also under the impression (and feel
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ddelly
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03-20-09 6:32 PM
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computers being barred at HB is only one of the problems at HB any person that thinks so backwords as to think a child today does not think a child needs computer skills SHOULD mix the cool aid and jion the jones group that also were led by GOD , to adive the STUDENTS that when you leave you will need to get a GED is just not right at any level except those involved with this type of ?????
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ddelly
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03-20-09 4:49 PM
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I believe that if a teacher rapes a child student it's agiasnt the LAW even if your god say it's forgiven and a church matter NOT
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newsjunkie123
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03-20-09 4:44 PM
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The school at HB is preparing students for a christian "godly" future-- not future biochemist, lawyer or rocket scientist. So of course, the classes are structured differently for the different reasons, and it stands to reason that the public school's standards are not the same because of their different motives. Therefore, it is understandable that HB's school classes, not being the same as the public school's, are not accepted there.
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ddelly
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03-20-09 4:34 PM
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the school has no standing that I know of one of my children that have escaped from Webster county’s HB enrolled in a public high school NO classes were accepted from the Anchor or HB, just another example of Webster county crap just in the name of some obscure god
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newsjunkie123
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03-20-09 4:07 PM
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SNICKERS, I am sorry if the knocking seems incessant and bothersome-- you must realize that these people knock on doors with the belief that they can help people get to heaven. If this all comes down to annoyance from door-knocking then I guess any argument defending the ACTC have been in vain. Snickers, it sounds like you attend a church of your own. The belief behind Harvest Baptist is that they want to get people to heaven. If anyone truly believes in their religion, why wouldn't they want to spread the word?
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newsjunkie123
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03-20-09 3:59 PM
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firefly94, if by the "VICTIMS" of the "abuse" you mean the troubled teenagers attending the Anchor Character Training Center, they were interviewed by the DHS the day the DHS and the sheriff inspected ACTC (a few days after the first article). From what I heard, all of the reports were positive, and one of the interviewers, when calling the child's parents, mentioned how he was the most polite teen. Also, from first-hand account I can say that these "victims" seem happy. Also, ddelly, would you interview with a reporter who you knew would twist your words and cast a bad light on everything about you? Please, I am not a pro-HBC person, but I understand some of their actions as a previous church-goer. This rampage has gone on long enough.
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