NCDHHS Suspends Admissions to Asheville Academy

Peaceful outdoor area of a residential treatment center

News Summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has suspended all admissions to Asheville Academy due to significant licensing violations. This action follows a tragic incident involving the suicide of a 14-year-old girl. The suspension will persist until the facility meets safety regulations and licensing requirements. The troubled history of the managing company raises further concerns about the academy’s practices and the safety of its clients.

Weaverville, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has suspended all admissions to Asheville Academy, a residential treatment center for girls, effective immediately. This decision comes after the department discovered significant violations of mental health service licensing rules by Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC, the managing entity of the academy.

Officials from NCDHHS identified that the conditions at Asheville Academy could be harmful to the health and safety of its clients. The suspension of admissions stems from a survey initiated on May 8, following a tragic incident involving the suicide of a 14-year-old girl enrolled at the school.

Asheville Academy caters to girls between the ages of 10-14 and 14-18, offering what it describes as a clinically-informed and supportive environment aimed at addressing challenges such as anxiety and depression. However, the violations reported by NCDHHS pertain to multiple sections of the North Carolina General Statutes concerning mental health, developmental disabilities, and clients’ rights.

The admissions suspension will remain in effect until Asheville Academy can achieve “approved inspection status,” ensuring that all licensing requirements are met and adequate safety measures are in place. Additionally, Asheville Academy has the option to contest this suspension by filing a petition for a hearing within 20 days of the announcement.

Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC, which operates Asheville Academy, has a troubled history. The company previously managed Trails Carolina, an outdoor wilderness program that was closed by NCDHHS after the death of a 12-year-old boy just one day post-admission in February 2024. This past incident further emphasizes concern regarding the safety practices within Wilderness Training & Consulting affiliated programs.

Several media requests have been made to both Asheville Academy and Wilderness Training & Consulting LLC seeking further comments on the suspension, but Asheville Academy has chosen to defer any statements to its managing entity.

The NCDHHS is committed to ensuring the well-being of all children and adolescents in mental health treatment programs across the state. The suspension of admissions at Asheville Academy serves as a reminder of the critical need for adherence to strict licensing requirements and safety protocols to protect vulnerable populations.

Asheville Academy aims to provide therapeutic support to its residents, but the revelations from NCDHHS underscore serious questions about how effectively the facility is fulfilling its mission. The findings suggest that immediate improvements and corrective measures will be necessary to regain trust and authorization from state health officials.

Background investigations by the NCDHHS illustrate the importance of regulatory oversight in mental health services. The agency’s actions reflect an ongoing commitment to protect the rights and safety of clients, particularly in residential treatment settings. As Asheville Academy works towards resolving these violations and reinstating admissions, the eyes of the community, as well as regulatory bodies, remain firmly fixed on the facility’s future operations.