Waco Center for Youth

3501 North 19th Street
Waco, TX 76708

About Waco Center for Youth

The Waco Center for Youth is a long standing residential behavioral health center for teenagers in Waco, Texas. In fact, it has been serving teens since as far back as 1979 and continues to do so today.

This state operated facility is for kids ages 13 to 17 who have behavioral health struggles like co-occurring addictions and mental illnesses. Note that this is not a dedicated addiction rehab but their services are more generalized for behavioral health so it’s primarily for kids with addiction who have other behavioral health needs, too.

During your child’s program, they’ll have a personalized treatment plan that’s tailored to their needs. The program as a whole focuses on guiding teens in recovery while also identifying and harnessing their strengths. It’s not just about trying to stop your child from a behavior but also trying to replace that behavior with positive fulfillment elsewhere.

Your child will have individual therapy and group therapy throughout their program. They’ll learn social skills and other life skills too like self regulation. The facility also has more unique therapies and activities like equine therapy and a challenge course. Your family will be highly involved along the way too with family therapy sessions.

Of course, this is a long term recovery center so your child may be here for several months. Don’t worry about their education suffering because during their treatment they’ll continue their education through the Axtell Independent School District.

I should note that you cannot apply for admission to this state facility on your own. Your child has to be referred by a local mental health authority or state hospital or by Child Protective Services.

Latest Reviews

Isabelle Steelman
1 month ago on Google
3
I was a client at WCY from April 1 2024 to September 5 2024 I was on the Brazos unit for five months and five days there were allways certain staff that you could go to if anything was on your mind like (ms Felicia) (ms Tay?) (Ms ebony) (ms lakendra) (Mr tydrick) (ms cannecia) (ms rosalyn) (ms Ursula) (ms joy) (Mr O) that's all the PNA I would recommend but the nurses (Mr josh) (Mr Julio) (ms Kamil) and ( Mr richard) but my overall experience was ok igs there were a lot of crisis while I was there and I mean alot (sorry about the 22 holes in the wall btw) but anyways there were 3 girls leave and escape while i was there I made a lot of friends in there shoutout carrisa I love you girl free you anyways the place had ups and It definitely had it's downs like when we would get on lock down and couldn't leave our pod for who knows how long when staff would just cuss you out for asking for the restroom unlocked or when your having a break down and all they do is restrain you yell and medicate you or when you don't talk to Noone but one person and everything plays smooth or when you get a relationship yea clifford I'm talking about you but you gotta realize that the boys in there are unstable and players so they will leave you for other girls even when you take them back and they LIE! go to get better for you not boys not your parents you cus all the other things are gonna get you nothing but trouble in this place overall this place taught me lot of skills to cope with my emotions but I got pulled out but I learned what I needed this place is home and torches at the same timeGood luck
Sinnestra
1 month ago on Google
1
I was a client from Oct 2011- April 2012. While the therapy and overmedication were typical of any other treatment I had at the time there were some major issues with the facility itself. There were a few weeks in the winter where they couldn't get the A/C to turn off and we had ice forming on the inside of the windows in one of the girls dorms. Had to sleep in all your jackets and stuff at night to stay warm. If you were on a self harm watch you had to drag your mattress to the center of the communal area and suffer ridicule from everyone else in the dorm while being forced to sleep on the floor. There were a lot of kids who were being actively abused at home (myself included) who would speak out about it in group or personal therapy. We were told we were lying or making things up and often sent right back into the situations that put us in that place, if not sent to another long term facility after. The dentist they made us go to was known for not filling cavities very well and when a filling would pop out (happened often) it took so long to get them back to have it fixed a lot of people left the program before it was done. There are a lot of little things, but the main one that still really bothers me to this day is that I knew 2 girls there that ran from the campus and immediately got picked up and trafficked. They ended up coming back a week later, but the way they explained how they basically stepped foot off the campus and and had a pedo pick them up immediately is really scary to look back on. The place didn't have any kind of real fencing to keep you there and had signage it was a troubled youth center up front from what I remember. There isn't much better advertising than that, honestly...I'm not saying the place was all bad, but if I had children, I would never send them to any of these kinds of in-patient places unless it was forced upon me. I know this is a decade old account, but as I age I just see these kinds of things get worse and worse.
Lakeshia GAINES
2 months ago on Google
5
Great place to work at great benefits great pay

Location

Accepted Insurance

Waco Center for Youth works with several private insurance providers and also accepts private payments when possible, please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Other Forms of Payment

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.

Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.

Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.

Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

inpatient iconInpatient
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.

Treatments

Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.

Programs

teen-program thumbnail image
Teen Program
Teen programs are designed to address the unique pressures teens face, pressures that can drive them to experiment with dangerous, addictive substances. They need programs that meet them exactly where they are and give them tools for long-term recovery. Therapy can help teenagers understand and work through underlying issues so they can reclaim the life ahead of them.
child-program thumbnail image
Child Program
The providers who specialize in the children's rehab space understand the specialized needs that this population faces. School-based and social services such as tutoring and family counseling are often central to treatment. Child programs may also address the needs of youth experiencing substance abuse in the home, including a parent's or sibling's addiction.

Clinical Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.

Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.

When used as recommended, nicotine replacement therapy in Texas provides enough nicotine to help you avoid severe cravings and withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking. This increases comfort so you're less likely to relapse into your smoking habit.

Contact Information

Phone icon (254) 756-2171
Building icon

3501 North 19th Street
Waco, TX 76708

Fact checked and written by:
Nikki Wisher, BA
Edited by:
Courtney Myers, MS

Reviews of Waco Center for Youth

3.81/5 (48 reviews)
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Reviews

3

it was okay i was on the red river and they were always on a locked unit BC people would not stop running away i felt so trapped they were getting ready to take out the level system and i left 10-30-19 and i felt happy but since i have been home i have been crying to talk to ... Read More

Reviewed on 11/7/2019
5

While my stay at (Waco center for youth) I loved it at the end of my stay but at first I did not like any thing about the place but the more a stayed the more I learned new things life skills and peer communication (talking to peers) I reccomend if your child has any probl ... Read More

Reviewed on 7/1/2019
Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

3.8 (46 reviews)
Isabelle Steelman
1 month ago
3

I was a client at WCY from April 1 2024 to September 5 2024 I was on the Brazos unit for five months and five days there were allways certain staff that you could go to if anything was on your mind like (ms Felicia) (ms Tay?) (Ms ebony) (ms lakendra) (Mr tydrick) (ms cannecia) (ms rosalyn) (ms Ursula) (ms joy) (Mr O) that's all the PNA I would recommend but the nurses (Mr josh) (Mr Julio) (ms Kamil) and ( Mr richard) but my overall experience was ok igs there were a lot of crisis while I was there and I mean alot (sorry about the 22 holes in the wall btw) but anyways there were 3 girls leave and escape while i was there I made a lot of friends in there shoutout carrisa I love you girl free you anyways the place had ups and It definitely had it's downs like when we would get on lock down and couldn't leave our pod for who knows how long when staff would just cuss you out for asking for the restroom unlocked or when your having a break down and all they do is restrain you yell and medicate you or when you don't talk to Noone but one person and everything plays smooth or when you get a relationship yea clifford I'm talking about you but you gotta realize that the boys in there are unstable and players so they will leave you for other girls even when you take them back and they LIE! go to get better for you not boys not your parents you cus all the other things are gonna get you nothing but trouble in this place overall this place taught me lot of skills to cope with my emotions but I got pulled out but I learned what I needed this place is home and torches at the same timeGood luck

Sinnestra
1 month ago
1

I was a client from Oct 2011- April 2012. While the therapy and overmedication were typical of any other treatment I had at the time there were some major issues with the facility itself. There were a few weeks in the winter where they couldn't get the A/C to turn off and we had ice forming on the inside of the windows in one of the girls dorms. Had to sleep in all your jackets and stuff at night to stay warm. If you were on a self harm watch you had to drag your mattress to the center of the communal area and suffer ridicule from everyone else in the dorm while being forced to sleep on the floor. There were a lot of kids who were being actively abused at home (myself included) who would speak out about it in group or personal therapy. We were told we were lying or making things up and often sent right back into the situations that put us in that place, if not sent to another long term facility after. The dentist they made us go to was known for not filling cavities very well and when a filling would pop out (happened often) it took so long to get them back to have it fixed a lot of people left the program before it was done. There are a lot of little things, but the main one that still really bothers me to this day is that I knew 2 girls there that ran from the campus and immediately got picked up and trafficked. They ended up coming back a week later, but the way they explained how they basically stepped foot off the campus and and had a pedo pick them up immediately is really scary to look back on. The place didn't have any kind of real fencing to keep you there and had signage it was a troubled youth center up front from what I remember. There isn't much better advertising than that, honestly...I'm not saying the place was all bad, but if I had children, I would never send them to any of these kinds of in-patient places unless it was forced upon me. I know this is a decade old account, but as I age I just see these kinds of things get worse and worse.

Lakeshia GAINES
2 months ago
5

Great place to work at great benefits great pay

Diana Brown
2 months ago
5

TRIGGER WARNINGMy roommate and best friend for the year I was in there and 9 months I knew him Carlos took his life on January 2nd 2017 he left campus and I loved him to death I don t go a day without thinking about him I miss him more then words could describe they placed me on the Trinity unit and I was roommates with him because I brought magic cards with me Derek and Carlos love to play magic That s what we got for Christmas there I hated every moment of that place until he was gone Because I didn t know how to appreciate Things People who had a bad experience with this I m truly sorry I d give anything to see my best friend again

Leo McAndrew
3 months ago
3

Honestly, this place wasn't bad nor good.Was here in 21-22. The main things, if anything, that anyone should do if/looking at this place is pretty basic. Accept it. It's a rehabilitation center. You're there to help yourself. Everything else is either a bonus or an inconvenience. Staff was good, with small issues here and there but overall amazing (Rio staff best). Other clients had their own issues, but overall, they were either trying to be better people or stay the same. I admit, I had a few hiccups but corrected myself. Loved doing the kitchen job. It had it moments that made me question why I went so often, only to have the reward be amazing (lots of money). If anything, focus on being the best you can be. Gotta be adaptable and inquisitive (constantly learning and ask questions).

Trey Woods
3 months ago
1

(I m writing on my fianc�s google account) My sister has been in this facility for 3 months now and NOTHING has helped her the staff speak very grown and vulgarly to the kids. They mistreat guardians over the cellphone also . If I had a decision on her going in there I would say NO ! The disrespect and the lack of discipline is insane. I do not recommend this place for caregiving or for seeking mental help at all!

Luke Patterson
5 months ago
5

I was admitted to waco center back on 11/9/2021 and left 03/14/23 it wasn't all that bad. The staff were supportive and the therapy was great. It might just be me since i grew up in CPS but it could have been worse. The only issue at the time of my stay was that other clients had issues with each other since we woke up seeing each other and fell alseep seeing each other. I was on the Trinity Unit the whole time tho. Man i was there for awhile. Watching people come and go hurt so much. Eventually i relapsed after doing good since being in CPS there wasn't a mother or father who could visit me or anything so i always felt so alone. But im still standing. I always had sports to occupy my time, tho i always got upset when my team lost . But i pulled through. When you have a tough life this doesnt faze you. I looked at waco center as a barricade in life i had to go through to make my life easier. I didn't start off so hot but i found my way. The teachers are nice too, the only issues is clients like me made it difficult.

Micah North
5 months ago
4

I went there 2023 and I thought it was a great exprience

acuevious fields
6 months ago
5

I learned a lot here went here back in 2016 or 2017 i forgot which year pacifically it s been a while I was at the Bosque unit and I had an amazing therapist Miss Sharon I ll never forget you. It was the best and I had the best staff. I still remember them all until this day. miss Michelle miss Kayla, Miss amber Mr. Matt miss Yarnell even the teachers were nice, especially Mr Wedemeyer and mis Dona they where all incredible and amazing people as well as made a few friends still talk to a few of them a lot has changed in my life for the better and I m forever grateful everyone there is very proud to even be president of the unit at one point if anyone remember me feel free to reach out and say hi miss you all. Hope y all all are doing well. by the way, I never played so much Pok�mon in my entire life. That was the only way we could stay entertain. It was so fun. I miss it so much. Wish I can go back just for that.

Myranda Rockhill
6 months ago
4

My experience with WCY has been exceptional. My daughter was placed here voluntarily and she has learned so much. It can be a bit chaotic at times, but that's to be expected when you have so many teens in one area for a long period of time. I really only came to leave a review due to our therapist at WCY. Hannah has been absolutely PHENOMENAL. I don't know what we will do without her. She taught my daughter so much about coping and "real life" that my daughter didn't want to hear from her parents. We have family counseling sessions which are very helpful in communicating constructively. The students, when they reach a certain level for good behavior, get to do fun activities like the movies, swimming, shopping, etc. My daughter said the food is pretty good. She has made so many friends too. She will be discharged within 2 months and she is definitely in a much better place mentally than she was when she was transferred here from Terrell. Hannah - we will miss you terribly! You are truly ONE OF A KIND!!

Madi
6 months ago
3

I was a client at Waco Center for Youth from 5/23-3/24. While I wouldn t say that it was completely terrible, there were definitely more cons than there were pros.I was admitted due to my many acute/rtc admissions in the previous few years. I had many issues with socialization, trauma and depression. I was admitted onto Brazos unit, the largest, newest, girls unit on campus. At my admission (May 25th), there were 18 girls on Brazos. The unit was separated into pods with each pod being like a small family . I honestly liked being on the unit the first few months. The unit and campus were relatively calm and peaceful. I enjoyed the staff and the activities that were organized for the clients.Some parts of WCY that I didn t enjoy was the drama and of course, traumas. At the end of my stay Brazos unit held 24 girls. Everyday there was a new issue, or fight and many kids were triggered during all the issues going on, but couldn t talk to staff about it because staff had to deal with the issues going on. Many kids were left on their own to deal with very traumatic experiences, resulting in more behavioral issues. The living environment was usually very untheraputic and hostile. Brazos had constant yelling, sounds of shattering glass, fists banging on windows or doors, just a lot of loud noise. The staff tried their best to respond to issues and complaints, but at the end of they did they were forced to do absolutely everything for us. When they would email their higher-ups, issues would rarely be worked through. The staff while I was there tried their hardest to make living at WCY comfortable, but even they were stressed or traumatized. There were many days, weeks even, where I simply felt unsafe on Brazos. Staff were good about adapting if there was an issue and they had time to, but it was rare.In my experience at WCY, many things were unfair, many issues arised because my first issues were not properly (or at all) addressed. There are a few staff members who are all together amazing though, and if you do have to go to WCY, I would try to find them because they truly made my stay liveable. Ms. Paz, who is a campus supervisor- she truly helped me through so much during my stay at Waco. Ms. Rachel and Ms. Jazzmine, who are both rights officers now! Absolutely amazing, and will listen to everything you have to say! The day-to-day staff that I would highly recommend are Ms. Tay, Ms. Ebony, Ms. Felecia, Ms. Kimbra, Ms. Sarena, Ms. Gabbi and Ms. Melissa. Without them I wouldn t have made it through the stress of Waco.Living at Waco, there are recreational-like activities provided. The HAB staff do an amazing job at diversifying the schedule and making sure we are doing many different things. Before I left we had just wrapped up learning tennis on the full sized tennis court and had begun to learn softball.A part of the treatment at WCY is participating in schoolwork. Luckily this is incredibly easy because the school s teachers and aides are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. Many clients (myself included) used school to get away from the unit problems. The principal (Mr. Freeto), is very supportive and will work with you to make a plan for your schooling! I actually fully graduated while I was in Waco, with his help.In the kitchen, the kitchen staff work very hard to help ensure that everybody is satisfied with their meals. There are many options for each meal, as well as alternatives if you re just not feeling hot food that day.The nursing staff were usually very quick about responding to issues. My only issue was with being one of the older clients, I felt as though I wasn t able to be as involved in my treatment as I wanted to be.Overall, there are a lot of cons and some pros to consider if considering Waco Center for Youth as your long term placement. I wouldn t say it s completely terrible, but definitely do your research on it to make the right choice for you. I think that Waco was the right choice for me, I learned a lot- maybe in ways that were considered unconventional, but still. Good luck!-2024

Jessica Wurz
9 months ago
1

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