Turning Lives Around One Child at a Time

Providing care, support, and guidance for at-risk youth in our community since 1974

PROGRAMS

Tailored programs for
every youth's needs

Attention
Home

The Attention Home offers a structured, supportive residential program for teenage girls facing behavioral, emotional, or situational challenges. Girls in the program receive education, counseling, and skill development tailored to their individual needs.

Detention
Center

The Detention Center provides a secure, court-mandated placement for juveniles awaiting court hearings or placement. It offers short-term housing, safety, and supervision in accordance with state juvenile justice standards.

Lewis
Academy

Lewis Academy is a residential treatment facility serving teenage boys in need of behavioral support, structure, and life skills development. The program includes education, counseling, and therapeutic services in a safe, supervised environment.

ABOUT US

Who We Are

Coosa Valley Youth Services (CVYS) is a public, non-profit organization serving about 1,000 youth each year through licensed residential programs for court-involved young people. Established in August 1974 with the creation of the Juvenile Detention Center, CVYS was formed to provide residential programs where juvenile court judges can place youth under their jurisdiction.

Today, we operate three licensed residential programs: the Juvenile Detention Center, the Attention Home, and the Robert E. Lewis Academy, each designed to provide structure, accountability, and opportunities for growth. All CVYS facilities are licensed by the Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS).

Where We Serve

Coosa Valley Youth Services serves youth from across Northeast Alabama. Member counties include Calhoun, Etowah, Talladega, DeKalb, St. Clair, Cherokee, and Marshall. Additional counties receiving services include Jackson, Blount, Cleburne, and Walker.

What We Do

Each program serves a unique purpose, but all share a common mission—to make a lasting, positive impact on the youth we serve.

Our services include:
• State-endorsed academic programs
• Individual, group, and family counseling
• Parent education and support
• Behavior modification, life-skills development, and character education

Our goal is to provide a structured, supportive environment where youth gain the tools, skills, and motivation to lead productive lives.

Our Community and Partners

Through close partnerships with external service providers, CVYS expands and enhances the resources available to our youth. These collaborations strengthen educational, behavioral, and wellness outcomes across our programs.

Key partners include the Calhoun County Extension Service, Master Gardeners, Health Services Center, Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), Extended Family, local churches, and numerous other community organizations dedicated to education, wellness, and support.

Youth and staff from Lewis Academy and the Attention Home also participate in community service projects with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Anniston Museum of Natural History, local churches, civic groups, and city and county governments. These experiences promote responsibility, teamwork, and a spirit of giving back to the community.

APPROACH

Guiding Youth Towards a Positive Future

At Coosa Valley Youth Services, our approach is centered around safety, structure, and support. We believe that every young person deserves a chance to reset, grow, and succeed — even in the face of difficult circumstances.

We provide each youth with:

A structured environment that promotes accountability and consistency
Individualized care through counseling, education, and behavioral support
Respectful treatment rooted in compassion and professionalism
Collaboration with families, schools, and courts to ensure the best outcomes

Our goal is to help every youth leave our care with more clarity, more confidence, and a better path forward.