MILTON — The Department of Juvenile Justice is closing a residential youth program in the Florida Panhandle because of safety and security concerns.
The Pensacola News Journal reported the agency canceled its contract with the Santa Rosa Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Milton, effective Friday. The 40-bed center is a low-to-moderate risk program operated by Youth Services International.
Officials say the staff failed to correct deficiencies in areas involving safety and security of the residents.
The 40 boys housed at the treatment center have been temporarily moved to four North Florida detention centers.
The department says it has prioritized admission of the youth to existing residential treatment centers that have vacancies and are designed to meet their substance abuse needs.