After more than a decade of operating Hillcrest Academy in Hamilton County, Rite of Passage ceased operations of the residential treatment program for at-risk youth Aug. 1.
The announcement of the temporary closure of the facility came during a public listening session in late July — about two months after a former employee was indicted and charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor there.
RELATED: Hillcrest Academy faces temporary closure as Hamilton County looks for new management
On Cincinnati Edition, we talk with two former employees of Hillcrest Academy about the role the facility has played in the community, the troubling indictment and why Rite of Passage decided to cease operations.
Then Hamilton County Juvenile Court officials discuss the future of Hillcrest and what members of the public have said they want to see when the treatment center reopens.
Guests:
- Brittany Bowman, former Hillcrest Academy program director
- Nathan Allen, former Hillcrest Academy compliance director
- Kari Bloom, Hamilton County Juvenile Court judge
- Liz Igoe, Hamilton County Juvenile Court administrator
Listen to Cincinnati Edition live at noon M-F. Audio for this segment will be uploaded after 4 p.m. ET.
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