Youth Services

Upon entry, all participants undergo a 2–4 week bootcamp experience focused on resetting behavioral patterns and establishing structure. This phase includes early wake-ups, physical training, removal of digital distractions, and uniform expectations. The goal is to initiate neural rewiring by combining discipline with psychoeducation, body awareness, and foundational wellness practices.

Service is a cornerstone of Walton’s Academy. Youth are involved in community restoration projects, peer-led workshops, and volunteer initiatives that cultivate empathy and a sense of purpose. Giving back is framed as a critical part of healing and transformation, reinforcing the idea that redemption includes responsibility to others.

Each youth receives a full psychiatric and neurocognitive evaluation upon intake and is re-evaluated every 45–60 days. When clinically appropriate, non-addictive medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs are prescribed to support executive functioning and mood stability. Ongoing monitoring ensures that pharmacological interventions are safe, effective, and part of a holistic treatment plan.

Through the CyberYouth program, participants are trained in IT fundamentals and cybersecurity, with the opportunity to earn certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or Google IT Support. Youth gain access to hands-on labs, project-based learning, and job-ready digital skills, preparing them for a viable tech career post-graduation even as a part-time or side profession.

Participants attend school on-site or through partnerships with local charter schools, with individualized learning plans that reflect each student’s cognitive and emotional needs. Academic staff collaborate with clinical teams to provide wraparound support, ensuring that educational success is possible even for youth with disrupted school histories.

Transition services include career planning, school enrollment support, continued therapy referrals, and family reintegration services. Post-graduation, participants receive 30, 60, and 90-day check-ins to assess progress, troubleshoot setbacks, and provide ongoing encouragement. This ensures stability beyond the academy and keeps alumni connected to support networks.

Twice-weekly group therapy sessions allow participants to connect, reflect, and challenge one another in a structured, supportive environment. Facilitated by trained clinicians, these sessions cover themes such as emotional regulation, accountability, conflict resolution, and identity development. Group work builds peer empathy and collective growth while modeling healthy interpersonal relationships.

Youth receive structured training in financial literacy, communication, hygiene, time management, and conflict resolution. These workshops are practical, interactive, and designed to prepare participants for independence and self-sufficiency in the real world. Growth milestones are celebrated and tied to tangible privileges and leadership opportunities.

As youth progress through program stages, they are matched with mentors and gradually take on leadership roles within the academy. Older participants mentor newer residents, creating a self-sustaining culture of accountability and support. This fosters pride, responsibility, and the development of positive identity rooted in service.

Daily morning workouts are not just about fitness, they're a neuroregulatory tool designed to strengthen the brain-body connection, reduce impulsivity, and enhance mood. Exercise routines are consistent, intentional, and rooted in neuroscience, promoting the development of new neural pathways that support self-control, confidence, and routine.

Youth are educated on trauma’s impact on the brain, including how stress affects memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. These sessions empower participants with language and understanding around their own development, giving them insight into their behavioral responses and fostering greater self-compassion and motivation to change.

Every CyberYouth participant is paired with a cybersecurity mentor and placed in a tech internship or shadowing experience. These real-world placements reinforce classroom learning, build professional networks, and provide early work experience in a high-demand field. The program ensures that youth graduate with both credentials and connections.

Each participant engages in weekly individual therapy rooted in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and existential-humanistic approaches. Sessions are designed to help youth process trauma, increase self-awareness, and build emotional resilience. Licensed therapists support each youth in identifying core beliefs, developing healthy coping strategies, and fostering a sense of personal agency essential for long-term change.