Crestview Youth Academy

"I'm seeing a lot of reviews bashing this facility, but my experience has been this. My son was sentenced to a program for the first time he's 14 years old, we were told that he would be sent to his program within 30 days. Well he sat in a detention center in Valusia county for 6 months Until I raised hell at the courthouse and got a call that day saying they were finally sending him. Valusia county guards abused my son and multiple other boys. And this was proven after an investigation so my son already had a terrible experience with the guards and inmates at the detention center he was held at for 6 months. So rightfully he was terrified to go to this program. He was told he would be jumped right away. As a mother it was such a load off when I talked to him and finally for the first time in six months he sounded happy and safe. He has been there over a month now He has nothing but wonderful things to says the guards are amazing. They're nice, they look out for him. Huge difference from being abused and starved at the last place. The therapist he sees is amazing. She's the first therapist that has gotten him to open up. And actually speak to her, they have a great relationship. His teachers are awesome and they say he's doing great in school. These are people that don't do it for the paycheck they actually care. I can actually sleep At night, knowing people aren't putting their hands on my child and he's not being starved by other inmates. They told him When arrived what is yours is yours we will make sure no one takes from you here. They didnt have any fights last month so they were taking the boys to golden coral as a reward. I just visited him for family day for christmas and got to meet all of these wonderfull people and they had great things to say about him. He was so proud of himself. So for me and my family this place has been a godsend!!"

"I can’t believe this place is still open. Courts send children there to die."

"Worst place to work literally EVER. Culturally and religiously intolerant higher up staff. Making no type of accommodation attempts after being asked and begged to be allowed to observe my Jewish religious practices the higher ups would even allow me to observe the Holy Sabbath every week on Friday nor would they allow me the time or freedom to attend synagogue Saturdays. . Your a verbal punching bag all day to the kids in there kids are extremely racist and the staff tolerate it and tell u the staff member to try and adapt to it and learn how to talk to them lol. I refuse to be forced to talk in such a Deplorable fashion. Place makes no sense with scheduling and mandatory over or ur fired. It wasn’t said directly but I will say it I was also LIED to on the job and about the job constantly. Lord change with ever new person that leaves and leaves an opening.We’re talking working doubles 4 days a week easy That place is bleeding ppl left and right STAY AWAY AS A PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT….. ITS NOT IT. PS: If you do take the job make sure ur pay is hourly or they are basically stealing from salary folks lol. As salary two of ur overtime days that’s 16 hrs a week 32 hrs a paycheck are not paid to you. This is the facility policy called blue dot days smh good riddance to this place."

"Very respectful people"