Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Residential Care Program

The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Residential Care Program includes recreation activities such as swimming, baseball, volleyball, canoeing, and arts and crafts. “Ranchers” live in homes with a married couple, referred to as a “mom and pop,” and follow daily schedules that include school, an on-campus job, chapel services, and these recreation activities.

• Ages: 3–18 years old

Founded in 1957, the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches operates a statewide network of residential campuses and summer camps offering nationally recognized services to at-risk youth. Its residential campuses operate under a four-pillar philosophy of Work, Study, Play and Pray, and the organization has three residential care campuses throughout Florida, along with three camping programs. The Boys Ranch is a co-ed campus with capacity for 82 boys and girls ages 3–20, and youth may attend school either on campus or in the local public school system in the Live Oak community. Each boy and girl participates in a structured work program, and the program includes counseling services and family engagement. The Mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is to prevent delinquency and develop lawful, resilient, and productive citizens. Staff are trained in Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and the Don Genung Training and Resource Center provides Trauma-Informed Care Services, including employee training, TBRI evidence-based trainings, and implementation strategies. Events throughout Florida help raise funds to support the work of the organization, and the Don Genung Training and Resource Center aims to equip law enforcement, teachers, biological, adoptive, and foster parents, churches, and systems of care with various Trauma-Informed Care Services.

Last updated February 15, 2026.