The frequently asked questions on this page are in part a response to the FAQ section on the updated page, which is maintained by Hephzibah House. Italicized statements are taken from the HH website (all bold type or underlining is my emphasis).
What is the age of the girls you accept?
"Generally, we accept girls from 13 years through 16 years, 8 months."
This seems to be fairly accurate for the most part. However, from my personal experience, and from talking to dozens of other former students, there were frequently girls much younger than 13 and many girls who were over the age of 18.
Are there any requirements for the parents?
"The custodial parent must attend a Bible-teaching church unless prevented by work or illness. If there is joint custody, both parents must have unanimity about the child enrolling in the school. Parents must sign an agreement stating that they agree with the school policies."
There have been several instances where one parent enrolled a child without the consent of the other parent. Please refer to the archived article page to read about one of these situations. A father, who had legal joint custody of his daughter, was refused visitation with his daughter until he got a court order forcing HH to allow him to do so.
What is the length of stay?
"Each child matriculates for a minimum stay of 15 months. Parents and pastors may ask the school for the child to stay longer at their discretion."
The following information is taken directly from the Prental Agreement contract provided by HH. "I hereby agree without mental reservation to to leave her (daughter) in the aforementioned program regardless of any present or future unforeseen family or personal crises or contingincies (including deaths, marriages, or illness) for at least fifteen (15) months after she is accepted into the program. I solemnly affirm and pledge on my oath that this is an irrevocable agreement on my part, and that under no circumstances will I seek the early release of my daughter from the program before at least fifteen (15) months have expired." Previously HH had addressed the question of whether or not they have any custodial guardianship or custody of a girl who had been enrolled, which they have adamently denied. Also taken from the Notice to Dis-enroll form: I hereby state and demand that Hephzibah House, Inc. dis-enroll my said daughter _________________ and deliver custody of ____________________ over to me immediately. I understaned that by this demand I am removing _______________________ from the temporary custody, care and console of Hephzibah House, Inc, and that upon such delivery of custody of ______________________________ pursuant to this demand, Hephzibah House, Inc., shall have no further responsibility, liability, custody or control with respect to my said daughter ___________________________. What school curriculum is used? "We use programmed material from the School of Tomorrow (Accelerated Christian Education). Each student is given a diagnostic test upon arrival, and based on her results, will be appropriately placed in Math, Science, Social Studies, English, Spelling & Electives. Credits already earned will be credited to her transcript. Each student annually takes a standardized achievement test, such as the Stanford Achievement Test, to validate her academic progress." Many girls were familiar with, or had used, the ACE system prior to arriving at HH. However, any girls who were on outside work crews at HH were rarely in attendance at school. The state of Indiana does not require HH to have any licensed teachers on staff, and the majority of girls have talked about the very poor education that was received while there. The state of Indiana also does not require HH to keep academic records of any of the girls attending this school. Many of the girls who graduated from the school run by HH report troubled getting into any state college or university. In fact, these girls had to literally obtain a GED upon returning home, even after receiving a diploma from HH. Without this GED, these girls were unable to enroll in college, as this diploma was not recognized as being from a legitimate school. Are students spanked? "NO. Correction used is extra work assignments or writing out a specific number of Scripture verses. This correction is based on demerits earned from wrong behavior." The above statement is perhaps one of the most misleading statements on the HH website. It is misleading in that it is an outright lie. It is quite possible that HH no longer uses spanking or corporal punishment at this time. However, for the above statement and answer to the spanking question to be entirely true, it should also state that HH did in fact use corporal punishment for well over 25 years. HH director Ron Williams has been very vocal and outspoken on his beliefs regarding spanking (or to use his words, beating). Ron Williams' article, "The Correction & Salvation of Children" explains his position very clearly. In addition to this article, there are literally dozens of testimonies and sworn statements detailing the spankings that were received by girls at HH. These spankings were not conventional spankings that many parents use to correct a child. These are violent encounters that are meant to humiliate and contol a girl, in addition to inflicting the physical pain. Our Survivor Statements page shares some of these stories. You may also visit www.jeri-who.net to hear audio podcasts of some of these testimonies. Does the student have contact with her family? "Absolutely! She is required to write her parents and pastor once each week. She may receive unlimited mail from her parents and pastor or others whom her parents have pre-approved. She will receive monthly phone calls from her family as well as regularly arranged visitation. She also may receive scheduled phone calls and visits from her pastor." Yes, each girl is required to write a weekly letter home to parents, pastor, and to an assigned board member as well. And yes, each girl may receive unlimited incoming mail from pre approved family members and pastors; although, girls were not permitted to send return mail to family members other than parents. All letter incoming and outgoing are censored by staff before being passed on. Often times a girl would receive a letter from home with huge portions marked out with black marker. Also, girls would frequently receive a letter back with instructions to re-write it, or lose the opportunity to have that letter go out. What about counselling? "Students receive day to day guidance from the staff ladies who work with them as well as Biblical counseling from pastoral staff on a regular basis. Counseling given is based on Biblical principles." It is true that the girls are spending eery day with the staff ladies, and some staff ladies were more encouraging than others. Again, based on personal experience, and drawing from the statements of dozens of other students, there was never any actual counselling offered to the girls. In fact, many girls placed at HH were there as the result of blowing the whistle on sexual abuse at home or in their churches. These girls were in dire need of counselling in order to deal with that difficult situation. These girls report receiving abolutely no counselling or help with the problems that you would imagine to come along with having been through that traumatic experience. Why do parents send their daughters to your boarding school? "Many parents, fearing the destructive direction their daughter has taken, realize they are losing control, and would often characterize their situation as being desperate. Accordingly, they seek the help of Hephzibah House. They seek our school primarily because they want to remove their daughter from possible negative influences, have her taught character and self-control, and because they believe the positions, philosophies and practices of Hephzibah House are compatible with their own." Many parents did believe that the positions, philosophies, and practices of HH were compatible with their own; therefore, they trusted and placed their child under the care of Ron Williams and staff. And it is true that some of the girls were out of control and had placed their parents in a desperate position. On the other hand, many girls were placed at HH because of problems at home, and not necessarily problems with the girl. Dozens of girls report being abused either physically or sexually at home or at the hands of someone in their church. There were girls who came from families dealing with divorce and remarraige and all of the changes that come with that situation. Just like today, HH presents a glowing picture of life for the girls, but in reality things are much different than that. Are there students who cannot matriculate at your school? "We are not qualified to help special needs children. We cannot receive children adjudicated as being a “Child in need of services” (CHINS). To see if a child qualifies, an inquirer must be pre-qualified by the school office."