Placement Criteria

The residential program at the Joy House generally admits struggling teens with mild to moderate emotional and/or behavioral problems, such as depression, anxiety, oppositional/defiant behavior, lying, stealing, school conduct problems, academic underachievement, poor social skills, running away, unruly at home, sexual identity issues, issues with pornography, sexual promiscuity, poor self-image, etc. Teens exhibiting more significant, at-risk behaviors or problems will be evaluated on an individual basis.

TEEN

• Girls and Boys, Age 12-17.
• Minimum I.Q. of 80 and able to function in school.
• No lengthy criminal background.
• No severe emotional problems (we are not a lock down facility and do not have constant monitoring capabilities).
• No history of sexually offending behavior or sexual perpetration.
• No drug or alcohol dependencies or addictions that require special rehabilitation.
• Teens referred from Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice are eligible, but considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis

PARENT / GUARDIAN

• Teen’s family typically resides within 60 miles of the Joy House campus.
• Family involvement and commitment to work toward reunification. Must provide home for teen on weekends, holidays, and school breaks.
• Family must be willing to meet at the Joy House to participate in all counseling and parent-support group sessions.
• Family must commit and be involved for the duration of the program.
• Child must have health insurance