Okaloosa Youth Academy

From Tallahassee, travel Interstate 10 West to Crestview. Exit onto HWY 85 (exit 12) south to Fort Walton Beach. Approximately 3.5 miles turn left onto Little Silver Road. Follow Little Silver road past the Correctional facility (3.5 miles). Turn Left (North) onto Straightline Road. You will pass Okaloosa Regional Detention Center on your right and Okaloosa Youth Development Center on your left. The road will dead end at the facility.

Okaloosa Youth Academy is comprised of multiple co-located residential commitment programs serving moderate risk male youth aged 13 to 19 who require behavioral/mental health, substance abuse, and sex offender services. The programs utilize evidence-based practices to provide comprehensive care, treatment, and supervision. Youth will also receive psychotherapeutic services, including individual, family, and group counseling while at the program. 

A youth’s length of stay is determined by the youth's assessed risk to reoffend, their progress in reducing applicable criminogenic needs and risk factors, and the completion of their individualized treatment plan.

The Florida Scholars Academy provides all educational services for residential commitment programs within the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. It offers a tailored education system that accommodates the unique needs of each student by providing multiple pathways to success. The academy offers individualized support to help students achieve their educational and career goals. This includes obtaining a high school or equivalent diploma, earning valuable industry-recognized credentials, and/or enrolling in postsecondary education at a Florida college, university, or technical college. The ultimate aim is to equip students with the necessary skills and qualifications for a successful career.