EMPOWERING YOUTH, TRANSFORMING FUTURES
Through education, counseling, and community programs and your support
we’re making a lasting impact!
2024
Your Impact in Action
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Elk Hill enables children and families to transform overwhelming challenges into successful futures. Through specialized education, community-based services and residential treatment programs, children can discover the academic, vocational, behavioral, & relationship skills they need to be successful.
For more than 50 years Elk Hill has sustained a culture of commitment, compassion, and flexibility, Elk Hill is dedicated to child-centered solutions that create lasting positive outcomes.
10,000
More than
youth impacted in central VA over the past 5 decades
In 2024, Elk Hill continued its mission of empowering youth and strengthening families across central Virginia. This year, we reached new milestones, expanding our programs to support more individuals and communities than ever before.
Through comprehensive educational initiatives, mental health services, community engagement, and with your support, we have made significant strides in creating lasting change.
718
Clients served in 2024
72
431
142
102
Total clients in our Residential program
Total clients in
Community Services
Total clients in
Prevention Services
Total clients in
Elk Hill schools
Elk Hill Therapeutic Group Homes
Elk Hill operates 5 DBHDS-licensed, Therapeutic Group Homes in Central Virginia. Elk Hill is committed to working with at-risk children with a variety of mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Services include 24-hour trauma-informed supervision in both rural and urban environments, case management and individualized service planning. Additional clinical services include individual therapy, family and group therapy, medication management as well as life skills development, substance use education and counseling, and other psycho-educational activities.
Residents by gender
55
17
Male
Female
Overall
88%
of clients were satisfied with our residential services
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"I know now that I can achieve anything I set my mind to, thanks to the support and love I received here."
Meet Matteo
Matteo’s mental health struggles and addictions were destroying his family. His younger brother was terrified of him, and his relationship with his mother had disintegrated until no trust or affection remained between them.
81%
300
Stepped down to a lesser restrictive placement
Average length
of days in program
The primary goal of Elk Hill’s residential treatment service is to assist clients in making a planned transition out of our care back to their community with family and natural supports. When applicable, plans to return to youth home are established during the service planning process, initiated at time of admission, and planned for throughout placement.
Elk Hill also monitors the following: Anger management, Life skills development, Substance abuse counseling, independent living skills, Individual Therapy, Peer-Processing Groups, Group Therapy, Psychiatrist/Medication Management, Family Therapy and Prescribed Education.
Residents by race
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X
Youth attended our schools in 2024
142
X
Elk Hill Schools
With schools in Goochland, Charlottesville, and Staunton, Elk Hill provides specialized education for children struggling with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. Small class sizes with dedicated teachers and behavioral aides help students in kindergarten through 12th grade transform overwhelming challenges into successful futures.
Each of Elk Hill’s day schools have developed programs that meet the student at their own individual level of need whether that be in improving reading abilities, work abilities, social skills, and of course, their academics.
Specialized programs include reading intervention and workforce development are integrated into the school day.
Student by gender
In 2024, our students gained access to:
45
participated in woodshop classes
10
participated in automotive repair classes
7
toured colleges and universities
Community Based Services
Elk Hill partners with schools and communities across Central Virginia to bring services to struggling youth during the school day, in the home and in the community setting. Services are provided by highly trained staff whose credentials range from certified to licensed mental health professionals. Services can include individual, family and group counseling.
Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT) is a school-based program that provides daily intervention and weekly pyscho-therapy groups helping to improve social functioning and emotional regulation. Elk Hill staff collaborate with families, teachers, school counselors and other providers to facilitate wrap around support to meet mental or behavioral health goals.
Clients and caregivers saw an increase in:
100%
X
Self Image
New Behaviors
Coping Skills
Connecting to healthy activities
Intergenerational support
X
Elk Hill’s community-based programing is based on the following best practice knowledge: Youth do best with consistent adult role models who are able to build a trusting relationship, spend consistent one on one time with them, support them to make changes, and build coping skills to face life’s challenges.
Elk Hill’s community services serve youth who can benefit from a role-model whose support can help them develop a positive self-image, new behaviors, coping skills, connecting to healthy activities, and intergenerational support. Elk Hill’s values of respect, hard work, education, responsibility, and courage underlie service provision and client interactions across programs.
431
Youth and families served
in Central Virginia
Meet Emma
Emma wasn't on our radar as a kindergartner. Her teachers said she was an outgoing happy child that had lots of friends and did well in school - but that wasn't who she was in 1st grade. She no longer raised her hand in class, she didn't make eye contact with teachers, she didn't join playground games.
85%
of our clients met or exceeded their goals
Clients by gender
272
Male
159
Female
Clients by age
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Meet Our Four-Legged Heroes!
Elk Hill’s therapy-animal program began six years ago with a bearded dragon (a small, sandy-colored lizard) named Salsa. The kids loved holding and feeding him. Elk Hill currently has 9 rabbits, 3 bearded dragons, and one tortoise at various schools. All are rescue animals that came from local shelters or families who could no longer care for them. One rabbit was attacked by other rabbits in his first home, leaving him earless. Today he’s a beloved member of the school community, reminding kids that they, too, can persevere through tough times and find joy.
Every animal undergoes a 2- to 3-week screening process, during which they experience living at the school, traveling on outings, and being handled by children. Only animals that thrive in this environment are accepted into the program.
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Therapy animals play a vital role in the healing and development of children. These incredible companions offer more than just comfort—they help foster emotional growth, reduce anxiety, and build trust.
73
Clients served in 2024
Prevention services involve a combination of home and community-based activities including games, crafts, cooking, homework assistance, athletics, use of community recreational centers, libraries, parks, restaurants, sporting and community events. The frequency and duration of contact between the employee, youth and families will be determined by the placing/funding agency in conjunction with the recommendations of the youth, family, and Elk Hill staff.
Our prevention team believes resiliency is built through a deep connection with our children and parents, particularly through our dedicated mentoring, parent coaching, family time coaching and nature programs. These initiatives play a pivotal role in fostering healthier communities and breaking unhealthy patterns for families. Our programs connect families with experienced, supportive staff who provide guidance, a positive influence and utilize trauma informed services to transform overwhelming challenges into successful futures.
Prevention Services
Elk Hill's Prevention Services Team is dedicated to reaching families early through therapeutic mentoring, parent coaching, and visit coaching services. Our goal is to support children before they face adjudication and to help parents develop effective, trauma-informed parenting skills.
Additionally, we offer a state-of-the-art ECOTHERAPY program that connects youth with nature to manage daily stressors and address nature deficit disorders. This program includes camping, mindfulness activities, water-based activities, and team-building exercises.
X
Total miles hiked
Total miles paddled on the river
17.6
12
8
Hiking trails climbed
1
Unforgettable whitewater rafting trip on the James River
X
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75
Youth participated in our
challenge course in FY24
Our challenge course is designed to help children build confidence, resilience, and trust through experiential learning. By engaging in activities that promote teamwork, problem-solving, and personal growth, participants develop crucial life skills while also gaining a sense of accomplishment. These experiences play a vital role in improving mental health, fostering self-esteem, and empowering children to face challenges both on and off the course.