Not all the children we serve require residential treatment, but when they do, Boys & Girls Town has a program to meet their needs, offering three levels of residential care: Intensive Treatment, Intermediate Treatment and Transitional Treatment.

Intensive Treatment
The Intensive Treatment Units treat children who need a safe, secure and structured environment to stabilize those at risk of suicide, running away, self-inflicted injury, violence and extremely aggressive behavior. In addition to basic services, special features include an audio/video security monitoring system, locked-entry cottages, self-contained classrooms, and low resident/staff ratios.

Intermediate Treatment
The Intermediate Treatment Units offer the same type of program, except that the therapeutic surroundings and security are not as structured. The units are supervised by a multi-disciplinary treatment team. Children attend either the on-grounds school or nearby public schools, based on their cognitive and behavioral abilities. Intermediate Treatment may also include participation in team sports, choir, co-ed campus activities and an open cottage environment, plus home visits when possible.

Transitional Treatment
The Transitional Treatment Units serve children who have met their treatment goals, show responsibility, and are prepared for community involvement. The children are treated more like they would be in a home environment, with opportunities to go into town, attend public school, and take weekend visits more frequently.

We also offer specialized group programs.

The specialized group programs available at Boys & Girls Town are designed for children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced sexual issues and/or who may have a history of substance abuse themselves or within their family. 

Substance Abuse Program
The Substance Abuse Recovery program is a proven, highly effective treatment approach to chemical dependency in children and youth. An initial assessment is completed prior to treatment to determine the full extent of substance abuse or dependency. The three to six month program utilizes individual and group therapy, based on the 12-step and relapse prevention models, combined with an education program that teaches social skills and promotes personal growth. 

Sexual Abuse Recovery Program
The Sexual Abuse Recovery program responds to the rapidly growing need to help children and youth who are victims of sexual abuse. The 18-session therapy program emphasizes rebuilding trust, self-esteem and healthy relationships.

Sexual Issues Program
The Sexual Issues program is a comprehensive assessment and therapeutic program for youth with sexual acting out issues. The treatment process focuses on sexual abuse prevention, personal trauma management, sexual education and relapse prevention. Ongoing family therapy is also frequently included.

Body Image Group Program
The Body Image Group Program provides education and therapy for children who display low self-esteem and poor body image. The 24-session therapy group promotes preventive treatment, positive self image, awareness and self control. 

Family Focus Program
Family Focus is a nine to twelve month program that fully engages the family along with the child in the treatment process in an effort to reunite the family. A family focus specialist works with each family to identify services needed and monitor treatment planning to avoid the need for residential assignment thereby reducing both emotional upheaval and financial costs.

Residential Education
Children who are residents at Boys & Girls Town campuses regularly attend school. Students in St. James, Springfield and Columbia attend on-campus schools. Students at our St. Louis campus attend local schools.

Boys & Girls Town offers a state-accredited, on-campus school, individualized education, GED and Vocational Arts programs at its St. James campus.