T he past few months have been difficult for Morning Star Boys’ Ranch. Allegations brought forward to the media have focused the community on a handful of accusations from decades ago. Over the past 50 years, Morning Star has made many changes to its programs —changes that are positive and responsive to the times and to Spokane’s needs. Unfortunately, the allegations have largely overshadowed the positive changes and successes.

In response to these allegations, more than a hundred former Morning Star residents came forward to express their gratitude to Morning Star for taking them in when no one else would. These men credit Morning Star for helping them find their place in society, so they could make a positive difference in their lives. They say, “Without Morning Star, I’d be dead or in jail — or worse.”

Morning Star intends to set the record straight concerning the allegations from 30 years ago and wants to make certain the community understands the facts about the ranch today.

First, Morning Star’s core values emphasize respect and dignity for each resident. Accordingly, Morning Star does not allow, tolerate or cover up allegations of physical or sexual abuse. Period.

Second, Morning Star respects the privacy rights of its residents. For this reason, Morning Star will not discuss allegations or claims made by those residents who have been the subject of media coverage. Morning Star can, however, share important information about past and present practices. We want to assure the public that the ranch has always worked to comply with all regulations.

In conjunction with our regional licensor, Morning Star constantly reviews and updates policies and procedures to ensure we meet the needs of our residents, and the expectations of the community.

To ensure that Morning Star’s policies and procedures are adequate and reasonable, Morning Star’s board of directors has arranged for independent experts in child welfare to review nearly 30 years of Morning Star’s records from the state Department of Social and Health Services. This will provide an objective and independent analysis of those records and of the related policies.

In addition, Morning Star’s staff is also participating in a “Pre-Accreditation Readiness Assessment” with the Child Welfare League of America. This assessment consists of a thorough independent review of the ranch’s programs by experienced professionals in the behavioral health-care and human services fields, and includes visits to Morning Star to assess performance against rigorous standards and nationally recognized best practices.

Morning Star continues to be an important resource to local schools, parents, the state of Washington and the Spokane region. It is recognized for its leadership and the quality of its programs. This includes:

•In 1995 and again in 2005, the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized Morning Star with an AGORA Award for business excellence in the nonprofit category.

•Morning Star is committed to building the character and competence of youth by fulfilling Spokane’s promise to provide caring adults and safe places for youth. To ensure safety, residents live in individual rooms with private locks and have access to independent behavioral health experts, and all staff undergo screening and background checks in compliance with regulations.

•Through the years, Morning Star has evolved to provide more than basic residential services. Today’s residents have access to special therapeutic programs like healing arts and equine-assisted psychotherapy.

•To create a successful transition to independent living, Morning Star maintains apartments where high-school graduates learn independent living skills under the watchful eye of residential staff. In fact, these five boys were recognized with a 2005 Group Chase Youth Awards for personal achievement.

Boys who have nowhere to turn and no one to turn to need residential facilities like Morning Star. The evidence for this is in the waiting list of boys seeking placement — boys from failed adoptions, failed foster home placements and broken families.

We ask the Spokane community to continue its support of Morning Star as we provide this valuable resource.