Rick Outzen January 30, 2026 1 Comment
The Escambia Children’s Trust voted unanimously this morning to end its funding agreement with New World Believers H.O.O.P.S. program, citing child safety concerns and multiple contract violations that extended beyond the Department of Juvenile Justice investigation and the arrests of NWB founder and two family members.
- The decision came after a tense 90-minute emergency session where board members grappled with serious allegations while expressing concern for the families and children affected by the program’s sudden collapse.
Calling Out Inweekly
Chair Dr. Rex Northup opened the meeting with pointed remarks directed at the media, criticizing what he perceived as unfair or unbalanced coverage of the Children’s Trust. Though he didn’t mention me by name, it was obvious that this blog and I were his targets.
- “Now, we welcome and expect media interest and oversight of the activities of this board, but we, as the board of directors, on behalf of the children and families that are served, as well as the taxpayer whose money we are privileged to steward, respectfully request fairness, objectivity and balance through our local media, as you report on services of this Trust, activities of this Trust, outcomes of the Trust, and the programs that we sponsor.”
He then distinguished reporting and commentary:
- “There is factuality, balance, objectivity to be included in what should be considered reporting on all of this, as opposed to when it gets into commentary, more subjectivity and comments along those lines that fall under the category of editorialization.”
Northup doubled down on criticism, saying the line between reporting facts and editorialization had been crossed.:
- “We would respectfully ask that members of this media that are here to report on this and any other topic that affects this board, and, in reality, really any other topic coming before the public, that that line of objectivity, fairness, fact finding, et cetera, be maintained and respected in the case of reporting.”
He concluded by saying editorial commentary is “certainly allowed, certainly have a place out there in the community, but again, factual reporting versus more subjective editorialization would be requested of this particular topic and meeting and as we go forward.”
Background: From Leadership Change to Investigation
The crisis began unfolding earlier this month when New World Believers notified the Trust of changes to the program’s leadership structure.
- Board Attorney Megan Fry laid out the timeline of events that began with a notification of the changes in leadership on Jan. 5 through receiving police reports of the arrests of founder Rodney Jones and three family members this week.
While Fry emphasized that “at no point in time was ECT, its staff or council contacted by any law enforcement agency,” the Trust felt compelled to act based on information available in the public sphere.
The concerns extended beyond the investigation itself. “Some allegations involve events concerning the HOOPS program and use of the HOOPS facility, as well as use of ECT-funded HOOPS vehicles,” Fry told the board.
She continued: “Child safety and welfare are of the utmost importance to ECT, it being their mission to improve and enrich the lives of Escambia County’s children… Therefore, when receiving credible information that places program participant safety and welfare at risk, the Trust is forced to act.”
Contract Violations
As board members dug into the details, additional contract violations came to light, further strengthening the legal basis for termination, independent of the DJJ investigation…