Bledsoe Youth Academy
Bledsoe Youth Academy is a 30-bed residential treatment center for boys ages 12 to 17 years old. The center provides a vast array of programs that focus on Mental Health Treatment, Art, Music, Recreation Therapies and Education. Services are provided 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Program services include 30 slots for intensive mental health treatment for both dependent/neglect and adjudicated youth. The program has one living/multipurpose room, cafeteria and outdoor recreation space.
The program provides intensive mental health treatment services using a trauma-informed approach. Youth participate in individual, family, and group therapy sessions, social and life skills training, anger replacement training, substance use prevention and intervention, and psychoeducation programming. The length of stay is 4-6 months, and depends on the progress the youth has made in the program toward reducing behavioral and mental health needs and risk factors, addressing the youth’s treatment needs, and increasing the youth’s protective factors. The anticipated average length of stay depends on the youth’s pace of success in completing the individualized treatment plan and goals. The programs’ goal is to equip youth for successful reintegration into the community to live productive, prosocial, and crime-free lives within a permanent placement.
Upon discharge, youth will continue to receive services for a period of time determined by the continuum contract with Omni Community Health. Medical/health services are provided by on-site nursing as well as a contracted physician and psychiatrist. Sumner Regional in Gallatin, TN provides emergency hospital services. Gallatin Children’s Clinic provides primary care services.
Individuals are provided breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks daily, which are managed by a licensed dietitian, with special medical diets and religious diets provided as needed. Youth receive nightly and monthly incentive activities and canteen. Input on incentives is provided by the Youth Advisory Board.
The facility is required by contract to maintain a 1:5 ratio of staff to individuals, on first and second shifts and a 1:8 ratio on third shift.
Education Department is staffed by a Principal and two (2) teachers, one of whom specializes in special education. Youth attend school the same number of hours as regular Sumner County Schools.
Bledsoe Youth Academy maintains CARF Accreditation.
Facility serves both dependent/neglect and adjudicated youth who need intensive mental health treatment. The program is contracted under the TN Department of Children’s Services (DCS).
Bledsoe Youth Academy News
Bledsoe Youth Academy Visits Monthaven Arts Center
Today, we spotlight a recent field trip experience of a group of youths from Bledsoe [...]
Bledsoe Youth Academy in March 2021
We were excited to host our first Family Day of the year this month! The [...]
Bledsoe Youth Academy in February 2021
February was chalked full of activities. First, our youth studied Black History. They learned about [...]
Bledsoe Youth Academy in January 2021
As a prelude to Black History Month here at Bledsoe Youth Academy we studied Martin [...]
Bledsoe Youth Academy in August 2020
Bledsoe Youth Academy celebrated the 19th Amendment and women's right to vote. People like Susan [...]
Bledsoe Youth Academy in July 2020
Our students at Bledsoe Youth Academy had an eventful "Up All Night Celebration". Up All [...]
Bledsoe Youth Academy in June 2020
At the end of May, Bledsoe Youth Academy celebrated Memorial Day with a cookout. The [...]
Bledsoe Youth Academy in May 2020
Amid the pandemic, Bledsoe Youth Academy graduated their first student. The commencement address was given [...]