The Columbus Youth Academy serves 50 males, up to age 19, in a non-secure residential commitment program. Males served by this program have a documented need for sex offender treatment based upon a psychosexual assessment. Youth committed to the program have committed sexual offenses including, but not limited to charges involving voyeurism, exhibitionism, frotteurism, and sexual harassment.
Youth offenses must not have involved force, threats, or weapons in the commission of the sexual offense. Youth from similar programs who have exhibited sexually-offending behavior may be transferred into this program. The primary therapeutic curriculum follows a specialized model called "STEPS of Progress," which incorporates the main treatment tasks identified by treatment providers as important when working with adolescent sexual offenders. Youth with developmental issues will be provided specific behavioral programming.
The program provides individual, family, and group therapy, in addition to case management services as well as in-home prevention services as youth progress toward program completion. Each youth admitted to the program will be evaluated by a psychiatrist for medication management with monthly follow-up evaluations thereafter.
Uniforms are provided by the program and youth are permitted to bring their own socks, shoes, and undergarments. The anticipated average length of stay depends on the youth's pace of success in completing the individualized treatment plan and goals.
The Columbus Youth Academy is a Type 2 program offering English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Reading. Career and technical opportunities include Culinary Arts.
The Hillsborough County School District provides educational services.