TLC Child & Family Services

Journey Academy provides education and trauma informed support to high school aged youth experiencing emotional and academic challenges. Located at our Sebastopol campus and serving 39 youth in grades 9-12, Journey Academy offers specialized instruction and therapeutic services to students requiring more emotional and/or behavioral support than is typically available in traditional school settings. Our environment not only provides the necessary structure and supervision that is required, but also the flexibility for students to participate in normative high school experiences including attending dances, participating in student government, and affiliating with various school clubs. Students participate in project-based learning opportunities, performing arts, career-technical development, and other hands-on, experiential learning options that focus on a combination of education, community involvement and therapeutic process. Youth are enrolled in Journey Academy through direct referrals from service providers (educational consultants, mental health providers, attorneys, insurance companies) and organizational partners.

Journey Academy teachers are qualified in their respective areas of expertise and special education. Our academic curriculum follows Common Core State Standards. All classrooms are maintained to a small size of no more than 12 students, allowing for maximum student-to-teacher interaction and permitting teachers and staff to address the diverse abilities of each student. Journey Academy offers electives such as music ensemble, creative arts, maker’s lab, radio broadcasting, and reader’s theater. Students have the opportunity to bring their creativity forward with individualized projects and opportunities. Teachers, clinicians and support staff help students identify emotional triggers and challenging behaviors to help them find acceptable replacement behaviors to promote success in school.

We also offer residential living opportunities for youth in Journey Academy. These students receive 24/7 support and care from dedicated and caring staff. Youth are provided their own bedroom, healthy, home-cooked meals, and academic, mental health and behavioral support. Youth learn independent living skills, positive coping strategies and healthy communication techniques to improve relationships with their peers, staff and families. Students also participate in off-campus recreational activities, river rafting, ropes course, community involvement, working with animals and volunteer/employment opportunities.

Students receive individual, family and group therapy to help them reach their personal and academic goals. Groups are tailored to their needs and interests. Groups often include: Equine Therapy, mindfulness, creative arts, identity spectrum (LGBTQI), adoption/kinship and family relationships, cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative therapy. Additionally, in combination with Individualized Positive Behavior Supports, Non-Violent Communication techniques and Restorative Processes, Journey Academy invites everyone together to reconsider the way conflict is seen and handled within our community.