A Voice in the Wilderness

You probably know very little about the state of Utah. But if you’re a parent of an at-risk child, knowing about Utah may be crucial

What do you know about the state of Utah? If you’re like most frum people, probably very little. Maybe you can name Salt Lake City as the capital. Or maybe you’ve heard of the Utah Jazz. The Mormon Church headquarters. Bryce Canyon. Zion National Park.

But if you’re a parent of an at-risk child, Utah may actually mean something to you. This western state is dotted with hundreds of wilderness and residential rehabilitation programs for troubled youth. What makes Utah unique is that state law stipulates that parents can choose an educational program for their child — even against the child’s will. In New York or New Jersey, for instance, a child can decide that he doesn’t want to attend the school his parents sent him to — and the state’s social services department will support him. In Utah, if a child decides to leave school, the state police will bring him right back.

None of the rehab programs in Utah are Jewish; other than Chabad, there’s not much going on Jewishly in Utah. But a disproportionate number of kids in these Utah rehab programs are from frum families.

I know. I sent my son there.