Waco Center for Youth

About this facility

The Waco Center for Youth is a residential treatment facility in Texas that serves adolescents aged 13 to 17 with severe emotional or behavioral challenges. Operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the center provides a range of services including individual, family, and group therapy, medication management, medical services, therapeutic recreation, and educational instruction through a partnership with Axtell Independent School District. Additional offerings include an equine program, social and self-regulation skills training, dietary support, spiritual services, and aftercare planning. The center uses a strength-based treatment model, which focuses on youth’s strengths and teaches new skills as needed. Its treatment approach is guided by five core values: Helping, Healing, Relationship, Responsibility, and Commitment. Adolescents live on campus while receiving care and attend school on-site. Educational staff work with students who come from across the state, addressing both academic needs and behavioral or emotional issues. Waco Center for Youth also implements a behavior incentive system, where clients earn stars for meeting daily goals related to school, therapy, and programming. These stars can be exchanged for items at an on-campus store called The CeNTER. Admission to the facility requires that a legal guardian initiate the process, with referrals accepted from local mental health authorities, state hospitals, or Child Protective Services. Applicants must meet specific criteria, including age, psychiatric diagnosis, and documented behavioral difficulties in at least two settings.