At Foothills Academy, our residential program typically spans 7-9 months. From the moment a new resident arrives, therapeutic services commence during their intake process. We assign a primary counselor to each resident who meets with them, goes over program expectations and guidelines, and begins gathering background information.

​ Together with other professionals involved in the resident's life, the primary counselor conducts a comprehensive psychosocial assessment. If necessary, we may refer the resident to a psychiatric nurse practitioner for a psychiatric evaluation. By taking a thorough and individualized approach, we ensure that each resident receives the appropriate care and attention they require. Our aim is to help them overcome their challenges, develop essential life skills, and attain their full potential.

Individual Treatment Plan

Within the first 2-3 week of a resident being placed at Foothills Academy, an Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) is created which reflects the resident’s treatment goals while in placement.  The resident, the resident’s guardian, DCBS/DJJ worker, and various Foothills Academy Staff (Counselor, Treatment Director and/or Program Director, Teacher and Line Staff) are all usually involved in developing the treatment plan.  Other professionals are invited as deemed necessary.

Multi-disciplinary Treatment Team

Multi-disciplinary Treatment Team
Each week a treatment team meeting is held in which the ITP is reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team.  This team consists of a variety of Foothills staff including the primary counselor, the treatment and/or program director, line staff and others as may be needed.  The purpose of these meetings is to provide feedback to see how the resident  is progressing.  In the meeting the measure toward the progress goal is evaluated so we can work with the resident to re-evaluate goals if needed and to aid in the ongoing assessment and treatment of the resident.  Progress is viewed in terms of academics, behavior and therapy.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy sessions are conducted by the primary counselor at least once a week.  Additional therapy sessions may be added depending on the needs of the resident.  The counselors at Foothills Academy use a variety of therapeutic approaches/techniques, including but not limited to; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy.

Psychiatric Medication Management

A board certified psychiatric is at Foothills Academy on a monthly basis to offer mental health consultation, perform psychiatric evaluations, and provide psychiatric medication management. Counselors meet with the psychiatrist to make sure there is a clear line of communication regarding each resident’s symptoms.

Community Service 

​Foothills Academy strives to be an asset to the local and surrounding communities as such they are involved in many community service projects.  Foothills Academy staff and residents participate in the annual Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow clean up initiatives.  Foothills Academy also strives to help those that cannot help themselves, staff and residents have gone to the homes of the elderly and handicapped installing several wheelchair ramps, doing home maintenance and other things as needed.  Foothills Academy is also available to the community during natural disasters helping clean up.  After a tornado ravaged a local community in 2008, Foothills Academy staff and residents were there to help.  Foothills Academy has been recognized by the Lake Cumberland Clean up Association as an outstanding participant and has received several awards.  Foothills strives to foster a sense of pride and community service within the residents that will carry on outside Foothills when they get back to their home communities