Lee County Youth Development Center

THE LEE COUNTY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER was founded in 1973 in response to a growing need for shelter and placement for abused and neglected children.

The main campus of the agency is located on 15 acres in Opelika, Alabama, on property donated by the George King Family. Residential programs including the Regional Detention Center, the Shelter Care/Assessment Program, and the Jane Walker Treatment Program are also located on the Opelika Campus.

The Family Services Office is located at 1716 Catherine Court in Auburn, Alabama. It houses staff for Therapeutic Foster Care, East Alabama Family Options, and Psychological Services.


As the only full service youth facility in this region of the state, Lee County Youth Development Center strives to maintain the highest standard of quality care, innovative prevention and treatment programs, and qualified staff. The agency employs a staff of approximately 150 fulltime, part-time, and contract employees with an annual operating budget of approximately five million dollars.