Group Homes

The Group Homes at Tampa Bay Academy offer a step-down option for children and adolescents ages 10-18 in residential treatment or other settings who are unable to return home. Group homes can also serve as a means of preventing a residential placement. Many children who are in out-of-home placements may be unable to return home or to a foster home. These children often move in and out of treatment services and foster homes very quickly, experiencing many moves and placements in a short period of time. Multiple placements negatively impact a child's ability to succeed. Our Group Homes are designed to provide the consistency a child requires to be successful.

For those children and adolescents who have completed the residential program at Tampa Bay Academy, the Group Homes offer consistency in their surroundings and professional staff. At the same time they can experience a sense of accomplishment as they complete one level of treatment and move to a less restrictive setting. Tampa Bay Academy also accepts group home referrals as a step-down from other residential programs, or from mental health professionals in other settings.

The Group Homes at Tampa Bay Academy are located on the same 24-acre campus with our other treatment programs. The homes are built in a duplex setting with each living area housing 12 residents. These homes feature bedrooms of 2-3 residents per room, a large common area, kitchen and all the amenities of a family home. We use a staff model, and staff provide awake supervision any time children are present.

Our clinical focus is based on a positive peer culture model, with each community receiving therapeutic intervention on a daily basis. Residents receive Family Therapy when appropriate, Individual and Group Therapy, consultative Medical and Psychiatric Services, Medication Management and Recreational Activities. Because we recognize the need for a strong educational component, our Group Home residents either have the opportunity to attend school at the Charter School of Tampa Bay Academy or with one of the local elementary, middle or high schools.

The goals of the program are to provide permanency planning and successful transition for those residents returning home or to a foster placement. We also provide independent living skills for adolescents who will be achieving an independent living arrangement in the near future. In preparation for independent living, residents at appropriate age levels can be involved in paid employment opportunities both on and off campus. In some exceptional cases, residents can establish bank accounts or apply for a credit card, both as a means of establishing a credit history for future experiences.