Robert E. Lewis Residential Treatment Academy is a regional program serving six counties (Calhoun, Cherokee, Dekalb, Etowah, St. Clair, and Talladega). The youth court-ordered to the program are between the ages of 14-18 years old, adjudicated delinquent, have no current or prior adjudications for sexual offenses or serious violent offenses and are at-risk for commitment to the Department of Youth Services (DYS).
Through a collaborative effort involving Lewis Academy staff, family members and court officials; youth will receive treatment plan driven services to address their areas of risk and need to divert them from DYS commitment and recidivism.
Lewis Academy seeks to provide an overall atmosphere which contributes to each youth developing a positive self-image. An individual treatment plan focusing on each youth's individual needs is developed by Counselors with input from the youth, parents/guardians, teachers, and Juvenile Probation Officers. The program ensures the goals of each youth's individualized treatment plan is achieved through regular feedback, regular progress reviews and monthly progress review meetings.
Youth will progress through the program at their own pace. Youth must earn a minimum of 75 credited days and demonstrate consistent progress toward their individual treatment plan to graduate the program. Youth requiring more time to demonstrate that progress can remain in the program up to an earned day balance of 120 days. This progress is measured during the monthly progress review meetings. To give youth the skills to make and maintain progress toward their treatment plan goals, Lewis Academy combines physical training, discipline, character education, basic living skills, team-building techniques, individual counseling, family counseling, parent education, equine therapy, academics, and community service.
After graduation youth, follow-up services are available as a resource for youth, parents and the juvenile court to help the youth transition back into the home and community successfully.
providing treatment alternatives for Alabama's troubled youth
Serving Northeastern Alabama since 1974
Coosa Valley Youth Services