Memphis Youth Academy is a 66-bed residential treatment center for boys ages 13 to 18 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 DESCRIPTION

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY & GOALS 

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 management training, substance use prevention and intervention, and psychoeducation programming.

The length of stay is 6 months, and depends on the progress the youth has made in the program toward reducing behavioral and men- tal 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 program’s goal is to equip youth for successful reintegration into the community to live productive, prosocial, and crime-free lives within a permanent placement.

TYPES OF SERVICES AND TREATMENT

Memphis Youth Academy provides a vast array of programs that focus on Mental Health Treatment, Art, Music, and Recreation Therapies and Education. Youth receive groups daily, individual therapy weekly and as needed, and family therapy twice a month with birth and foster parents. Treatment modality focuses on trauma-informed care along with anger reduction therapy and other evidence-based treatment modalities.

Facility has faith-based services offered through visiting spiritual leaders with an allowance for spiritual time. Youth are able to go on outings including additional recreation at a gym, parks, and swimming pools if earned through positive behavior. Upon discharge, youth will continue to receive services for a period of time determined by the continuum contract with Omni visions. Medical/health services are provided by on-site nursing as well as psychiatric visits. Baptist Hospital in Memphis, TN provides emergency hospital services. One Health Family Clinic provides primary care services.

Youth 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 various incentives throughout the week and are also eligible to earn/ participate in a monthly incentive. The facility also has a and point store that is a part of the iChoose System™. Input on incentives is provided by the Youth Advisory Board.

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The facility is required by contract to maintain a 1:6 ratio of staff to individuals, on first and second shifts and a 1:8 ratio on third shift.

ACADEMIC/VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Education Education Department is staffed by a Principal and four (4) teachers, two of whom specializes in special education.  The school is accredited by theTN Department of Education. Youth are in school 6.5 hours daily from 7:30am to 3:00pm. Students receive instruction in courses based on TN state standards working towards high school graduation

REFERRAL SOURCES & FEES 

Facility serves adjudicated youth who need intensive mental health treatment.

The program is contracted under the TN Department of Children’s Services (DCS).