Sequel Youth and Family Services

Sequel Youth and Family Services was one of the largest private for-profit operators of residential treatment centers, group homes, special schools, clinics/outpatient programs for at-risk children and adolescents with behavioral/emotional challenges across the United States. At its peak it operated over forty facilities in more than fifteen states. The company expanded rapidly through acquisition but faced significant controversy due to repeated reports of abuse and neglect at multiple facilities. Following high-profile incidents—including deaths linked to improper restraint—and state/federal investigations as well as lawsuits alleging systemic mistreatment, the company closed many centers between roughly 2019–2022. In September 2021 a majority stake was sold to Vivant Behavioral Healthcare; by early/mid–2020s most operations had ceased or been divested.