California Children Sent to Family Bridges Reunification Camp
In this disturbing video taken on March 29, 2022, two children (Orrin Ryder Homme and Camille Harley Joan Homme) are seen being forced into a vehicle against their will by transport agents from Right Direction Crisis Intervention. The children were ordered into a highly controversial reunification camp, Building Family Bridges, by Los Angeles Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman. A third child, Wolf Dillon Reece Homme was transported to the program separately.
While the transport team was forcefully removing the children right in front of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, their mother Brody Dalle was ordered by Judge Gould-Saltman to remain in the courtroom. Ms. Dalle, a victim of domestic violence, had been granted a three-year restraining order against her ex-husband, Josh Homme. The teenage daughter of Ms. Dalle and Mr. Homme, Camille had also been granted a restraining order against her father which was active on the day this video was taken.
Despite his violent past which was well-documented by the media, Josh Homme’s legal claims that Ms. Dalle was “alienating him” seem to have trumped two restraining orders and his shocking history of abuse. Alienation is a denounced, and debunked concept yet it is a known legal strategy that has gained traction in the family court system. A statement recently issued by the United Nations Human Rights Council on October 20, 2022, highlights what is considered to be a crisis by domestic violence advocates around the world, “Accusations of parental alienation by abusive fathers against mothers must be considered as a continuation of power and control by state agencies and actors, including those deciding on child custody.”
Randy Rand, owner of the Family Bridges program where the Homme children were ordered to attend was stripped of his license to practice psychology when the California Board of Psychology punished him for unprofessional conduct, gross negligence, and ethical violations. Rand attempted to appeal the decision but the Board of Psychology’s decision was successfully defended by Vice President Kamala Harris who at the time, was the California Attorney General. The California Board of Psychology’s decision to take Rand’s license was affirmed by the State Court of Appeals.
Despite this, the Family Bridges program operates under the direction of Rand. Rand’s four-day camp costs tens of thousands of dollars but the “after care” costs for these parents can be upwards of $100,000 in the first year. Parents in the upper economic income tiers are often targeted for these reunification programs, treatments and camps. Stories from reunification camp survivors shed light on the reality of these unsound, unregulated programs.
Along with the court order by Judge Gould-Saltman, a 90-day “no contact” order was put in place which barred Ms. Dalle from any contact with the children. While this type of ruling is common after court-ordered reunification camps, it is rare that contact is allowed to resume after the 90-day period has passed. There are reports of parents going years without being able to contact their children. In this case, it’s been nine months since Ms. Dalle has had any contact with her two older children and her time with Wolf is limited to two days per month and her time with Wolf is supervised. Ms. Dalle has no criminal history and those who know her describe her as an exemplary mother to all three children. There is nothing that warrants the current court orders that prevent Ms. Dalle from being with her children yet her repeated attempts to regain custody have proven to be both painful and fruitless.
Sadly, this is a common scenario that protective parents face when children are ordered into reunification programs. The court orders are often vague and ambiguous and the protective parent is at the mercy of the professionals assigned to the case. Parents in Ms. Dalle’s position are unable to jump through the necessary hoops to reunite with the children because the hoops are often hidden, invisible or non-existent. The reunification professionals assert that the preferred parent remains a risk — they could “potentially alienate” the children. The preferred parent is set up to fail from the moment reunification camp is ordered.
Another story that has gained media attention in California is the Laing case in Santa Cruz County. On October 20, 2022, Judge Rebecca Connolly ordered Maya (15) and Sebastian (11) Laing into a reunification camp owned and operated by a southern California therapist by the name of Lynn Steinberg. Steinberg is yet another controversial figure in the alienation industry. During testimony in the Laing case, Steinberg stated that she had been trained by associates of Randy Rand.
Since the Laing children were removed from their father against their will (after making allegations of abuse against their mother), the Santa Cruz community has come together in outrage and activism. Videos of the children’s violent removal by transport company, Assisted Interventions, Inc. went viral on social media and the videos have been viewed an estimated 20-million times. The community has coordinated vigils, protests and is actively seeking regulation of transport agents and reunification camps through the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. An Instagram account started by Maya’s best friends keeps those around the world updated on the case and planned protests.
Reunification programs are part of the highly lucrative alienation industry and for years, family court advocates have voiced concerns about the lack of oversight and regulation. These camps have recently been recognized as part of “troubled teen industry” through a partnership between non-profit organization, Breaking Code Silence and One Mom’s Battle. Together, the groups will discuss changes to legislation and will begin advocating for bans on reunification camps through a series of protests across the United States. The first protest will be held at the State Capitol (Westside) in Sacramento, California on January 17, 2023 at 9 a.m. Pacific time. At second protest is planned in Watsonville, California at 8:00 a.m. on January 20, 2023 which is the next scheduled hearing for the Laing case (see images follow for more information).
The foundation has been laid for legislative change when the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was reauthorized and signed by President Joe Biden after six long years of bi-partisan negotiation. Included is an important new provision: Kayden’s Law. The adoption of Kayden’s Law in VAWA marks the first time in history that the federal government has so plainly acknowledged the need for improved child safety measures in the private family court system all across the United States. Kayden’s Law, also known as the Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act specifically addresses reunification camps and therapies and states:
“Limiting the use of reunification camps and therapies which cannot be proven to be safe and effective. No “reunification treatment” may be ordered by the court without scientifically valid and generally accepted proof of the safety, effectiveness and therapeutic value of the particular treatment.”
While these issues affect those who are involved in private custody cases in Family Court, this is a social justice issue and a crisis that belongs to everyone in our country. We ask that you stand with us in demanding justice for these children- and all children who are being failed by the family court system.
