Department of Youth Services Residential Treatment Center

Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center proudly operates a 12 bed Residential Treatment Center (RTC) program for male youths ages 14-18 who are in the custody of the Alabama Department of Youth Services. These youth, in addition to their involvement in the juvenile justice system, have a primary psychiatric diagnosis or diagnoses and are cognitively delayed. Many have several psychiatric disorders as well as other challenges such as physical or sexual abuse and/or neglect victimization, substance abuse problems, and/or co-occurring medical conditions. Many of these youth come to us with histories of serious high-risk behaviors such as attempts to self harm, attempts to commit suicide, assaultive behavior toward others, running away, etc.

Each youth admitted to the DYS-RTC program for treatment will, together with his guardian(s) and Treatment Team, develop individual treatment goals that relate directly to his diagnoses, other treatment issues, and the expectations of the Department of Youth Services. The initial treatment goals that are developed are reviewed in monthly Treatment Team meetings, and may be revised or amended based on the patient’s progress and level of functioning.