Children are referred to the Bartlett Campus for severe emotional or behavioral problems. Some have developmental delays. While on campus, the children live in cottages of 10 to 12 children who have similar problems and are of a similar age. An 8-acre lake offers residents recreational activities and provides a calming natural setting for therapy.

In 2002, Youth Villages opened the Paul W. Barret Jr. School and Activities Center on the campus. A state-of-the-art facility, specifically designed to meet the challenges of educating children with emotional and behavioral problems, the school includes classrooms with observation rooms, counseling rooms, an art center, chapel and library. The complex also includes an exercise room, gymnasium and swimming pool to allow for recreational therapy.

In 2003, the state-of-the-art, $7.5 million Center for Intensive Residential Treatment opened at the Bartlett campus for children in need of specialized treatment in a secure setting. The 44,000 square-foot complex provides a light-filled, open environment with 64 beds in four separate wings. It includes a central nursing station, school, cafeteria and rooms for family and individual counseling.

Food With Class is a catering program operated by young people receiving help on the Youth Villages Bartlett Campus. Participation in the program is voluntary and geared toward teaching youth valuable real-world job skills, providing teenagers who are about to graduate with their first chance at gaining hands-on work experience and learning skills for a possible career in the service industry.  

"We want for our older teens to gain a greater sense of self-esteem and pride in their abilities," says Ann Tucker, a Bartlett Campus teacher who oversees Food With Class. "At the same time, we teach them solid skills, such as responsibility, work ethics and what it means to protray a professional attitude."

As part of the program, campus youth learn to prepare, present and serve food. Food With Class regularly caters Youth Villages events. The Food With Class menu includes gourmet sandwiches, fruit trays, specialty items, including fried catfish, a variety of salads and dessert.