The following free and low-cost schools and programs all require voluntary enrollment by the youth and a commitment to participate fully in the activities, counseling, and program community. Call or click on the links to learn more.
More programs can be found on the state pages of the Directory of Family Help.
Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch and Girlstown USA Christian residential program for at-risk boys and girls from throughout the United States at no charge to parents. Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, which is 36 miles northwest of Amarillo, Texas, serve boys and girls, ages 5-18. Cal Farley’s Girstown U.S.A., which is 45 miles west of Lubbock, Texas, is a girls-only program for ages 10-18. Cal Farley’s also offers a single mothers program where a mother and her children may live while the mother acquires the skills needed to achieve successful independence. For more information, call 800-687-3722 or 806-372-2341.
Eagle Rock School Year-round, full scholarship, residential high school located in Colorado that provides personalized learning experiences for students, ages 15-17, who are not experiencing success in their current school setting. Youth must be willing to actively pursue intellectual and personal growth. Each candidate for admission, nominated through a participating school district or community organization must have strong support from an adult sponsor (preferably the family). For more information, call 970-586-0600.
Girard College Boarding school for academically capable students with no behavior problems, grades 1-12, from families with limited financial resources, each headed by a single parent or guardian. All Girard students receive full scholarships to take part in the school’s strong academic program, and to live safely on its enclosed 43-acre campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information, call 215-787-2600.
Job Corps The nation’s largest and most comprehensive residential, education and job training program for at-risk youth, ages 16-24. Job Corps operates 125 primarily residential Job Corps centers located across the country and in Puerto Rico. For more information, call 800-733-JOBS (800-733-5627).
Mercy Ministries Free Christian residential programs for girls, ages 13-28, who are dealing with such problems as substance abuse, unplanned pregnancies, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders, depression, abuse, self-injury, and sexual addictions. Locations include Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, California, United Kingdom, Canada (Surrey, BC), and New Zealand. To qualify for entry into the program, each girl must have a willing heart to come and participate fully in the ministry. Watch the video! For more information, call 615-831-6987.
Milton Hershey School Residential school in Pennsylvania offering free education, housing, clothing, meals, medical/dental care, and recreational activities. Students must be between 4 and 15 years of age at time of enrollment, at least average ability, and have no serious emotional or behavior problems. Prospective families and children are invited to attend an Opportunity Fair in your area to learn more about the school. For more information, call 717-520-2000 or 800-322-3248.
National Guard Youth ChalleNGe A preventive youth-at-risk program for unemployed drug-free and law-free high-school dropouts, 16 to 18 years of age. The 22-week Residential Phase is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth’s community. Core components of the program are citizenship, academic excellence (GED or high school diploma), life-coping skills, community service, health and hygiene, skills training, leadership/followership, and physical training. States with Youth ChalleNGe Programs are:
Alaska 907-375-5556 Arkansas 800-814-8453 California Los Alamitos 877-463-1921
California San Luis Obispo 800-926-0643 District of Columbia 202-685-9986
Florida 904-682-4031 Georgia Fort Gordon 706-823-8000 Georgia Fort Stewart
Hawaii Idaho 208-464-1253 Illinois 800-851-2166 Indiana Kentucky
Louisiana 800-226-7543 Maryland Michigan 800-372-0523 Mississippi
Montana 877-367-6927 New Jersey 609-562-0577 New Mexico 575-347-7600
North Carolina 800-573-9966 Oklahoma 918-824-4850 Oregon 541-317-9623 ext 223
Puerto Rico 787-260-1737 South Carolina 866-737-7292 Texas 877-822-0050
Virginia 800-796-6472 Washington 360-473-2600 West Virginia 800-529-7700
Wisconsin 877-968-8427 Wyoming. 307-836-7500.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Online directory of treatment facilities for adolescents and adults. Call 800-622-HELP (800-622-4357); 877-767-8432 (Spanish); 800-487-4889 (TDD).
The George Hull Centre for Children and Families Located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the George Hull Centre offers a variety of programs for children and families, including two small residential programs for adolescents experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties ― Libby’s Place for girls, ages 11-14, and the Boys House for boys, ages 12-16. No fee is charged. For more information, call 416-622-8833.
YouthBuildUSA In YouthBuild programs, unemployed and undereducated young people ages 16-24 work toward their GED or high school diploma while learning job skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income families. To find a location near you, click here. For more information, call 617-623-9900.
Focus Adolescent Services is not a marketing company. No sales commission is received for school and program placements/enrollments generated through exposure and recommendation by Focus Adolescent Services.