American Family Foundation

The mission of the American Family Foundation, according to its website, "is to study psychological manipulation and cultic groups, to educate the public and professionals, and to assist those who have been adversely affected by a cult-related experience."

History
AFF was formed as a nonprofit, tax-exempt research center and educational organization founded in 1979.

"AFF consists of a professional staff and a growing network of more than 150 volunteer professionals in fields ranging from education, psychology, and religion to journalism, law enforcement, and business," its website states.

"AFF addresses the problems posed by cults and other destructive groups through programs and projects in three areas:


 * "Project Recovery improves the quality of services for former cult members, their families, and helping professionals by offering workshops, conferences, and a range of publications, videotapes, and other practical resources.
 * "Project Alert encourages public discussion of cults and related issues and educates youth, the general public, professionals, and the media. AFF develops and distributes preventive education materials and services to clergy and educators through its special program, the International Cult Education Program (ICEP).
 * "Project Discover conducts, encourages, and contributes to scientific research and writing projects designed to increase the public's and professionals' understanding of how cult victims can be helped and how cults affect individuals, families, and society."

The AFF has been criticised by supporters of Lyndon LaRouche as "central thought-police organizations of Thomas J. Watson, Jr.'s (Pop Watson) intelligence networks".

Dennis King, the author of Lyndon LaRouche and the New American Fascism, was among the dozens of speakers at the AFF's 2003 annual conference. Followers of LaRouche see this as somehow significant, although King's chief talk was on research methods, not LaRouche. King was also on a panel that discussed a New York political sect that split off from LaRouche many years ago--the main focus of this talk was the other sect, not LaRouche. At the AFF's 2004 conference, King delivered a paper calling for a new paradigm for understanding cults and sects; LaRouche was barely mentioned in this paper.

In late 2003 three members of the organisation's seven-person board of directors died: Herb Rosedale, the President, on November 4, Margarte Singer on November 23 and David Halperin on December 3.

Funding
According to the groups website the "AFF is funded by grants, literature sales, and donations. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law."

Media Transparency list the AFF as having received grants from the Scaife Family Foundation in eleven of the thirteen years between 1987 and 1999. In 1999, Scaife granted the organisation $40,000. 

In 2000, the AFF was granted $50,000 "for the development and marketing of Citizenship and Character, instructional material to supplement American government and history classes in U.S.high schools" by the Bodman Foundation. 

Board of Directors

 * Herbert L. Rosedale, Esq., President; Senior Partner, Parker Chapin Flattau & Klimpl, New York, New York
 * Arthur A. Dole, Ph.D.; Professor Emeritus, Psychology in Education Division, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania
 * Carol Giambalvo, Exit Counselor, Author Exit Counseling: A Family Intervention and The Boston Movement: Critical Perspectives on the International Churches of Christ
 * David A. Halperin, M.D.; Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York
 * John Hochman, M.D.; Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA Medical School, Los Angeles, California
 * Edward A. Lottick, M.D.; Family physician, Kingston, Pennsylvania; also an advisor for FACTNet
 * Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph.D.; Emeritus Adjunct Professor of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley; Clinical Psychologist, Berkeley, California; also advisor for FACTNet

Directors Emeriti's


 * Kay H. Barney, International program manager, Raytheon Company, retired, Lexington, Massachusetts
 * John G. Clark, M.D.; Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, retired, Weston, Massachusetts
 * Guy B. Ford, Business executive, retired, Marblehead, Massachusetts

Contact information
P.O. Box 2265, Bonita Springs, Florida 34133, Telephone: (239) 514-3081, Fax: (732) 352-6818 Web: http://csj.org/ Email: aff@affcultinfoserve.co

Other Related SourceWatch Resources

 * funders
 * psyops
 * think tank