About Us
History
Hillcrest Academy is a CARF-accredited Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) licensed in 2012 by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and operated by Rite of Passage (ROP) in partnership with the Hamilton County Juvenile Court and Probation Department.
The 88-acre campus includes twelve living units, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, athletic fields and an on-site, non-public charter school. Hillcrest serves male youth between the ages of 12-18 with a history of delinquent behaviors, mild mental health issues and special education needs, helping these young men to learn important academic, employment and practical skills they will need to turn their lives around.
Rite of Passage
Hillcrest Academy is operated by Rite of Passage, a leading provider of evidence-based therapeutic and educational programs for youth. Rite of Passage provides a diverse continuum of care with evidence-based programs in education, youth shelter programs, family and community aftercare and intensive treatment for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
For over 30 years, Rite of Passage has been improving the lives of youth. Through its work at Hillcrest Academy and other academy programs, Rite of Passage has developed the Integrated Care Model framework to articulate its program philosophy, methodology, and specific evidence-based practices.
THE INTEGRATED CARE MODEL
The Integrated Care Model is the framework for Hillcrest Academy’s programming and services. Beginning with a foundation of safety, accomplished through caring relationships, qualified and trained staff, fosters a culture where students can learn.
Staff model pro-social skills, utilize the appropriate amount of empathy and provide youth with problem resolution skills. Assessments identify individual student needs and strengths and develop their intrinsic motivation for change.
Evidence-based cognitive behavioral interventions help students develop skills to overcome aggression, disruptive behavior, and heal from traumatic events in their lives. Since many of the students will return home, family involvement and treatment are provided at an appropriate intensity.
The normalized environment enables each student to develop and practice skills in the therapeutic, academic, vocational, health/wellness, family and community activities. Through these experiences, the student gains competencies and skills to attain Treatment Plan goals; then, new goals are established and the process of positive change is moved forward, creating a new vision and hope for the youth.
Meet Our Qualified Team
William Wood
Regional Executive Director
Brittany Bowman
Program Director
