Residential Treatment Program
A Qualified Residential Treatment Program in a safe, home-like setting
Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home provides a 24/7 staffed, trauma-informed residential treatment program for adolescent girls who need intensive support for emotional and behavioral challenges. In our structured yet nurturing youth home in Freeport, Illinois, residents receive therapy, education support, life skills training, and aftercare services that help them move toward healthier, more stable futures.
What Is a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP)?
24/7 therapeutic care in a structured, supportive environment
As a Qualified Residential Treatment Program, Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home offers a clinically driven, family-centered model of care for girls ages 12–18 who need more than community-based services alone. Youth live in a safe, home-like environment where staff are present around the clock, providing supervision, encouragement, and consistent structure to support healing and growth.
Each day follows a predictable routine that balances therapy, school, recreation, and life skills practice so residents can develop healthy habits and coping strategies. A multidisciplinary team—including master’s-level therapists, case managers, youth care staff, and a nurse—works together with families, DCFS, probation, and other partners to create and monitor individualized treatment plans that guide each youth’s progress.
Key Components of Our Residential Treatment Program
A coordinated approach to therapeutic care, education, family, and aftercare
Therapeutic Services
Residents receive individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral strategies and behavior modification techniques.
Aftercare
Our six-month aftercare program offers ongoing contact, coaching, and support after discharge to help youth and families maintain gains and navigate the transition back home or to a new placement.
Education Support
We coordinate closely with local schools and educational partners so residents can stay on track academically, with support for credit recovery, attendance, and school success.
Family Involvement
Family members are encouraged to participate in therapy, visitation, and planning, reinforcing our core expectations of caring for self and others and prioritizing responsibilities before privileges.
Admissions & Referrals
The program is designed for girls ages 12–18 involved with child welfare or juvenile justice systems, and we provide clear criteria and guidance to referral sources to ensure appropriate placements.
FAQS
Meet Michael
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers for referral partners, families, and community members
Who is the residential treatment program designed for?
Our residential treatment program serves adolescent girls, generally ages 12–18, who have experienced trauma, behavioral or mental health challenges, and involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. These youth require a higher level of structure and therapeutic support than can be provided in a typical home or foster care setting. We partner with DCFS, juvenile probation, and other agencies to determine whether a youth’s needs match the services we provide and to ensure the placement is safe and appropriate.
What does daily life look like at Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home?
Residents follow a structured daily schedule that includes school, therapy sessions, meals, chores, recreation, and downtime in a supervised, home-like environment. This routine helps youth learn time management, responsibility, and self-care while building positive relationships with staff and peers. Throughout the day, our focus is on safety, skill-building, and reinforcing the core program rules of caring for self and others and honoring responsibilities before privileges.
How long do youth typically stay in the program?
Length of stay varies based on each youth’s treatment goals, progress, and the recommendations of their treatment team and referring agency. Some residents may stay several months, while others remain longer to ensure stabilization and readiness for a less restrictive setting. From admission through discharge and aftercare, we work with families and agencies to plan for the next step and support a smooth transition.
What are the admission criteria and who might not be a fit?
Our program is best suited for girls who can benefit from a structured, group living environment and participate meaningfully in therapy and daily routines. In general, youth must not be experiencing active psychosis and should have an IQ above 70, to ensure they can safely engage in treatment and group activities. When youth have needs beyond our scope—for example, requiring acute psychiatric hospitalization or intensive medical care—we collaborate with partners to identify more appropriate resources.
How is quality of care monitored and ensured?
Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, licensed as a child care institution by Illinois DCFS and accredited by the Council on Accreditation, which means we meet rigorous standards for safety, clinical practice, and organizational integrity. Our staff receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care, behavior management, and relevant therapeutic approaches to ensure services remain current and effective. We also collect feedback from youth, families, and referral partners and use data and reviews to continually improve the residential treatment experience.