AN OVERVIEW:

Brother Rousseau Academy (BRAC) is an intensive day treatment program for middle school (10-14.9 years of age) male and female youth. BRAC programs operates six days per week, morning through evening. BRAC clients are cared for in a variety of ways including: educational programs, social work services, social and life skills group work, community services projects and recreational activities. Brother Rousseau Academy utilizes small class sizes; averaging at one teacher for every eight students. The BRAC nutritional development program is a key component to positive development and includes three meals per day.

HISTORY:

In August 1998, St. Gabriel’s System responded to the needs of the times by launching an innovative program; comprehensive by nature for at-risk pre-teen boys and girls. The Academy takes its name from Blessed Brother Scubilion Rousseau (1797-1867; beatified in 1898), a Christian Brother who dedicated the last three decades of his life to the care and education of the needy and enslaved people of Reunion Island, off the coast of Africa.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

• The youth must be adjudicated delinquent or dependent.
• BRAC clients require a full scale IQ of 70 or above, however, lower IQ levels can be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Youth must be able to fully participate in treatment, without severe restrictions from physical activity (medical clearance may be required).
• Youth with a history of assaultive behaviors, serious sexual offenses, fire setting or severe emotional, psychological or psychiatric disorders will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Youth must have a parent or guardian who is willing to participate as a member of the treatment team