About Us
Founded in 1994, The Academy at Sisters has long been a leader in therapeutic boarding schools. We have stayed ahead of the curve in innovation. As new understanding and knowledge about therapies for teens has developed over the years we have worked to implement new strategies to better serve our students and help them create better outcomes.
Our Affiliations, Partnerships, and Accreditations Demonstrate Our Commitment to Excellence
State of Oregon
In addition to our accreditations, we are licensed through Oregon Department of Human Services (OHDS), with renewals every two years. There is an extensive application for renewal, and on-site visits to all programs licensed, with reviews of personnel files, client files, facilities, and overall policies for the entire agency. Additionally, every year ODHS completes an onsite unannounced visit.
We are also a registered alternative school with the Oregon Department of Education.
The Academy at Sisters is a program of J Bar J Youth Services, a non-profit operating several programs for youth in Central Oregon.
At the center of all of J Bar J’s programs is the idea that beliefs and self-talk influence decisions and ultimately define one’s life. Mistaken beliefs and destructive self-talk can lead to poor choices. Mindfulness begins by examining our beliefs and thoughts. Cognitive awareness is, in essence, thinking about thinking. Being mindful is not the same as trying to control emotions. By identifying and interrupting problematic thinking, self-talk like “I’m a bad person,” “I am unlovable,” and “I can’t succeed,” youth in our programs can begin to see how it has impacted their emotions and behaviors.
It’s also important to distinguish between thoughts and emotions. By learning what physical sensations accompany underlying emotions, kids can begin to choose more helpful, adaptive thoughts. This in turn can interrupt negative emotions. Being mindful and nonjudgmental of our emotions is an important tool to regulate their intensity.
J Bar J Youth Services’ mission is offering innovative options for at-risk youth and families who are working toward self-sufficiency and personal responsibility in Central Oregon. See links to our other programs below.
Since 1968, when we have seen an unmet need and youth struggling in Central Oregon, we have added programs to help them. We now have eight separate programs, each providing a spectrum of services. We are the largest social services organization helping youth in Central Oregon. Central to all of our programs is the idea that our thoughts and beliefs influence our choices, and our choices define our futures. If we can learn recognize unhelpful thoughts and mistaken beliefs, we can choose a brighter future. See an overview here.