Mission and Philosophy

The mission and management philosophy of Christian Acres is to provide a versatile community based alternative to traditional juvenile placement for those residents referred to the program by agencies with who the agency has entered into contractual agreements.  The program’s philosophy is that education and role-modeling instigate positive and sustainable changes in attitude and behavior. 

It is our conviction that a resident should have a chance to function in a non-secure setting which allows him to remain in the community, using traditional community services that would normally be available to him.  The ultimate goal of Christian Acres is to help the resident successfully re-enter the home, work and community environment.  This effort requires close coordination with the resident’s support systems, notably the family, counseling staff, and school.  Using reintegration as a goal, the program incorporates a carefully monitored, progressive reintegration into society. 

Christian Acres emphasizes a risk reduction goal by utilizing programs designed to assist residents in becoming law abiding, self-sufficient, contributing members of the community; thereby, changing a residents attitude and consequently the probability of future anti-social behavior.  Christian Acres provides a relationship-based milieu with a strong reality-based focus on responsibility and accountability. 

The program provides a direct approach to specific treatment issues, commensurate with the cognitive level and degree of sophistication of adolescents.  The facility employs a behavior modification program that measures success using a token economy system that reflects the quality of the resident’s behavior in all aspects of campus life.  Any behavioral changes achieved during a relatively short period of residential care may become enduring characteristics that enable the resident to reintegrate safely and productively into the community. 

The academic program is provided through standard public education.  In collaboration with the school system an academic program is designed to meet the needs of the residents’ entire range of abilities and grade levels.  Satisfactory attendance and progression in education is mandatory.

Christian Acres promotes a healthy envirnment. Read our wellnes policy.