Facility profile Florida
Britt Technical Youth Academy
Formerly Charles Britt Academy (until 2022)
Also known as Britt Halfway House
Britt Technical Youth Academy was a juvenile justice Moderate-Risk in St. Petersburg, Florida, operated by Wayne Halfway House. It operated from 2013 to 2026.
About Britt Technical Youth Academy
A news report says it closed.source Florida DJJ listed Youth Services International as provider of Charles Britt Academy in 2015 and Sequel TSI of Florida from 2016 until DJJ closed it in June 2022; the program reopened at 3001 26th Avenue South as Britt Technical Youth Academy under Wayne Halfway House (DJJ provider 2025) and was closed by DJJ in 2026.source 1, source 2, source 3
Timeline
From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.
2013
Youth Services International began running it
It ran the program until 2016.
Opened in St. Petersburg, Florida
2016
Sequel Youth and Family Services took it over from Youth Services International
It ran the program until 2021.
2017
Sequel TSI: Sold a majority stake to Altamont Capital Partners
Sequel Youth and Family Services ran Britt Technical Youth Academy at the time.
Sequel TSI: Sold a majority stake to Altamont Capital Partners September 1, 2017
Altamont Capital Partners announced a majority equity investment in Sequel through a holding company, SYFS Parent; terms were not disclosed. At the time Sequel ran 44 programs in 19 states, and APM Reports counted 35 residential treatment centers in 16 states. CEO John Stupak stayed on and co-founder Jay Ripley remained board chairman. Altamont's portfolio page lists the investment as active and says SYFS Parent later acquired Rebecca & Aaron Schools (2017) and Pine Cone Therapies (2020).
2021
Vivant Behavioral Health: Founded by Sequel co-founder Jay Ripley and bought most of Sequel's remaining centers
Sequel Youth and Family Services ran Britt Technical Youth Academy at the time.
Vivant Behavioral Health: Founded by Sequel co-founder Jay Ripley and bought most of Sequel's remaining centers
Jay Ripley, one of Sequel's three founders, founded Vivant Behavioral Healthcare in 2021. Sequel sold most of its centers that had not closed to Vivant, which now controls most former Sequel treatment centers still open.
2022
Wayne Halfway House took it over from Sequel Youth and Family Services (see the deal above)
It ran the program until 2026.
Renamed Britt Technical Youth Academy
It had been Charles Britt Academy.
2026
Closed
As Charles Britt Academy
A news report says it closed in June 2022.source
News coverage
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State closes St Pete treatment facility for boys amid child abuse allegations archived copy
Companies Mentioned: Sequel TSI of Florida, LLC Staff Mentioned: Pete Adolphus Battle, Andra Walters Two staff members assaulted a child at Charles Britt Academy on June 4, 2024 The staff members were arrested and charged with child abuse Florida Department of Juvenile Justice closed Charles Britt Academy after the arrests
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Funding, Oversight Next Questions for Florida’s Private Youth Prison System
Following a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that contractor Youth Services International failed to provide appropriate services and falsified contract documents, Florida state officials moved to terminate remaining contracts with the for-profit company. The transition has prompted lawmakers and advocates to examine the state's reliance on private, for-profit juvenile facilities, focusing on funding levels, contract monitoring, and oversight practices.
Staff
Administration
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Johnnie Downing
As Britt Technical Youth Academy
News coverage
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Closure of Britt Technical Youth Academy and Relocation of Residents in St. Petersburg
The Britt Technical Youth Academy in St. Petersburg has closed and its facility now houses residents from the Les Peters Academy in Tampa. Florida officials have not provided public details regarding the relocation and concurrent closure of juvenile facilities in the region.
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A juvenile boys program in St. Pete closed. Where did the kids go?
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice closed the Britt Technical Youth Academy, a moderate‑risk residential program for boys in St. Petersburg, without providing public details about the relocation of the youth. The facility was subsequently repurposed for the girls' Les Peters Academy, raising questions about capacity and continuity of services for displaced survivors.
Staff
Administration
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Janus Pierre
Licensing and inspections
- Licensed as
- Britt Technical Youth Academy; charles britt academy; Charles Britt Academy - Sequel; charles britt youth academy
- Program
- DJJ-britt-technical-youth-academy
- License category
- Moderate-risk Residential
- Licensing action
- Active
- Licensed address
- FL
29 inspection reports on file. Search all Florida reports
The newest 25 reports, by date: 4 findings in 4 reports
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Jun 30, 2026
QI Residential - FY25-26 - 1 finding
1 finding
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Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 4.12 Sick Call Process
All youth in the program shall be able to submit sick call requests and have complaints treated appropriately through the sick call system. The program shall respond appropriately, in a timely manner, and document all sick call encounters, as required by the Department. All youth in room restriction/controlled observation shall have timely access to medical care, as required by Rule. The program maintains a policy and procedures to ensure all youth can submit sick call requests and have their complaints treated appropriately through the program’s sick call system. The program has a policy and procedures stating when there is no licensed nurse on-site the shift supervisor will review all sick call requests as soon as possible, and within two hours after the request is submitted. The program was issued a minor deficiency on May 22, 2025, which was closed on June 24, 2025. A review of five youth Individual Healthcare Records (IHCRs) indicated none of the five youth were applicable for presenting with similar sick call complaints three or more times within a two-week period. All five youth submitted Sick Call Request forms and a registered nurse (RN) completed the forms in subjective, objective, assessment, and plan format, and they were filed in each youth’s IHCR in reverse chronological order. None of the youth were in restricted housing. Three youth sick call forms were documented in accordance with Health Services Rule, however, two youth Sick Call forms were left blank. ...
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Jun 30, 2026
QI Residential - FY25-26 - 1 finding
1 finding
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Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 4.12 Sick Call Process
All youth in the program shall be able to submit sick call requests and have complaints treated appropriately through the sick call system. The program shall respond appropriately, in a timely manner, and document all sick call encounters, as required by the Department. All youth in room restriction/controlled observation shall have timely access to medical care, as required by Rule. The program maintains a policy and procedures to ensure all youth can submit sick call requests and have their complaints treated appropriately through the program’s sick call system. The program has a policy and procedures stating when there is no licensed nurse on-site the shift supervisor will review all sick call requests as soon as possible, and within two hours after the request is submitted. The program was issued a minor deficiency on May 22, 2025, which was closed on June 24, 2025. A review of five youth Individual Healthcare Records (IHCRs) indicated none of the five youth were applicable for presenting with similar sick call complaints three or more times within a two-week period. All five youth submitted Sick Call Request forms and a registered nurse (RN) completed the forms in subjective, objective, assessment, and plan format, and they were filed in each youth’s IHCR in reverse chronological order. None of the youth were in restricted housing. Three youth sick call forms were documented in accordance with Health Services Rule, however, two youth Sick Call forms were left blank. ...
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- Jun 30, 2026 SPEP - FY25-26
- Jun 30, 2026 SPEP - FY25-26
- Jun 30, 2026 SPEP - FY25-26
- Jun 30, 2026 SPEP - FY25-26
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Jun 30, 2025
QI Residential - FY24-25 - 1 finding
1 finding
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Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.15 Advisory Board
The program has a community support group or advisory board meeting at least every ninety to 120 days. The program director solicits active involvement of interested community partners. The program has a policy and procedures ensuring the program has a community advisory board meeting at least once every ninety to 120 days. The program had an advisory board meeting on September 30, 2024, with program staff; however, the program has not had a meeting since September 2024, which exceeds the 120 day requirement. The program did have a meeting scheduled for January 18, 2025; however, the meeting was not held due to the program not having any board members; and the meeting was not rescheduled. A review of meeting invites reflected the program did not solicitate a representative from law enforcement, the judiciary, the LGBTQIA+ community, a victim or victim advocate, or a parent/guardian whose child was previously involved in the juvenile justice system. An interview with the facility administrator (FA) stated a meeting was scheduled for January 18, 2025; however, when no board members attended, the program had an informal meeting between the FA and the designated mental health clinician authority. The FA stated he continues to solicit potential members to be a part of the program’s advisory board. The annual compliance review team was unable to interview a board member during the annual compliance review week due to the program not currently having any board members.
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Jun 30, 2025
QI Residential - FY24-25 - 1 finding
1 finding
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Limited compliance, DJJ review : Indicator 1.15 Advisory Board
The program has a community support group or advisory board meeting at least every ninety to 120 days. The program director solicits active involvement of interested community partners. The program has a policy and procedures ensuring the program has a community advisory board meeting at least once every ninety to 120 days. The program had an advisory board meeting on September 30, 2024, with program staff; however, the program has not had a meeting since September 2024, which exceeds the 120 day requirement. The program did have a meeting scheduled for January 18, 2025; however, the meeting was not held due to the program not having any board members; and the meeting was not rescheduled. A review of meeting invites reflected the program did not solicitate a representative from law enforcement, the judiciary, the LGBTQIA+ community, a victim or victim advocate, or a parent/guardian whose child was previously involved in the juvenile justice system. An interview with the facility administrator (FA) stated a meeting was scheduled for January 18, 2025; however, when no board members attended, the program had an informal meeting between the FA and the designated mental health clinician authority. The FA stated he continues to solicit potential members to be a part of the program’s advisory board. The annual compliance review team was unable to interview a board member during the annual compliance review week due to the program not currently having any board members.
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- Jun 30, 2022 SPEP - FY21-22
- Jun 30, 2022 SPEP - FY21-22
- Jun 30, 2022 SPEP - FY21-22
- Jun 30, 2021 SPEP - FY20-21
- Jun 30, 2021 SPEP - FY20-21
- Jun 30, 2021 SPEP - FY20-21
- Jun 30, 2020 SPEP - FY19-20
- Jun 30, 2020 SPEP - FY19-20
- Jun 30, 2020 SPEP - FY19-20
- Jun 30, 2019 SPEP - FY18-19
- Jun 30, 2019 SPEP - FY18-19
- Jun 30, 2019 SPEP - FY18-19
- Jun 30, 2018 SPEP - FY17-18
- Jun 30, 2018 SPEP - FY17-18
- Jun 30, 2018 SPEP - FY17-18
- Jun 30, 2017 SPEP - FY16-17
- Jun 30, 2017 SPEP - FY16-17
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Ownership
- Sequel Youth and Family Services
Documents
Merged from: Britt Technical Youth Academy (4)
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Djj.state.fl.us Programs-Facilities Residential-Facilities Britt-Technical-Youth-Academy (Wayback 2025-07-22) Website capture -
Djj.state.fl.us Programs-Facilities Residential-Facilities Britt-Technical-Youth-Academy (Wayback 2025-12-30) Website capture -
Djj.state.fl.us Programs-Facilities Residential-Facilities Charles-Britt-Academy (Wayback 2022-06-07) Website capture -
Djj.state.fl.us Programs-Facilities Residential-Facilities Residential-Facility-Detail (Wayback 2015-03-08) Website capture
From the Unsilenced archive
2 documents about Britt Technical Youth Academy that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Charles Britt Academy.
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