VACCA CAMPUS
The Vacca Campus is a multifaceted, secure juvenile correctional facility serving male youth ages 12 to 17 who are adjudicated juvenile offenders. Services include an educational program, substance abuse education and treatment, medical and mental health services, individual and group counseling, physical education, and other basic services important to positive youth development. Each youth works with an assigned case manager to address factors related to their committing offenses. Youth work toward developing life skills and overcoming deficits in order to earn their release from DYS by completing an individualized Service Plan (ISP). The ISP is developed by a multidisciplinary team that includes the youth, and family when possible. The Vacca Campus has three separate programs.
Programs
Chemical Addiction Program (CAP)
Youth with substance abuse needs are placed in a specific dorm that provides substance abuse and chemical dependency treatment (CAP), which is provided by the Chemical Addiction Program in Montgomery, Alabama. Program components include assessment, individual and group therapy, substance abuse education, family therapy, family education, and introduction to support groups.
STARR Program
The Short Term Alternative Reach and Redirect (STARR) Program at Vacca serves those youth considered low to moderate risk who need an intense level of services designed to promote positive youth development, build social and coping skills, increase resiliency while challenging faulty thinking, and foster positive decision-making through the provision of a diverse set of interventions.
General Population Program (GAP)
The youth in the general population are generally medium to high risk youth with committing offenses related to person, property, public order, or violation of probation/aftercare. Individual and group counseling is offered to youth and includes topics ranging from social skills, grief counseling and anger management, to release and after care preparations. The programs and services offered by Vacca Campus are designed to provide an opportunity for youth to return to their communities and function as lawful and productive citizens. CAP services/treatment is also available to GAP youth.
ExtraCurricular
Activities
Vacca Campus offers motivational speakers throughout the year to motivate and encourage youth to set goals for themselves and strive to achieve those goals. Spiritual needs are met by a dedicated faith based volunteers from the community. Parents of youth are offered many opportunities to visit their youth and engage in activities to strengthen family relationships.
Educational Services
Youth attend the McNeel School, which is located on-site and are provided the opportunity to receive educational services year round. Youth attending McNeel School complete assigned coursework aligned with the Alabama State Courses of Study in the various curriculum areas and receive Carnegie unit credits towards their high school diplomas. The school day is divided into seven class periods. Youth are generally assigned to take the four core academic subject areas of English, mathematics, social studies, and science as well as physical education and two electives. Academic instruction is individualized to meet the specific needs of each youth. An individual program is developed for each youth based on the previous school records; inform diagnostic techniques, and TABE results. The curriculum is both remedial and developmental depending on the needs of the individual youth. Programs are developed to include one of the following: (a) Continued development of skills necessary to return to school on grade level, (b) Mastery of basic skills or (c) Preparation for the General Education Development (GED) test. The school has a fully staffed media center with materials and resources available for youth to research and check-out.
Vacca Campus Contact information
Monthly Visitation Days and Times
1st Thursday of each month – 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
3rd Saturday of each month – 9:00 am – 12:00 noon and
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm