A residential treatment program for children with behavior disorders and substance abuse issues could open by the end of the year at the St. Joseph County Juvenile Justice Center.

A lease was approved Tuesday, Aug. 18, for a company named Right of Passage to rent 32 beds at the juvenile justice center and run the residential treatment program, WNDU reported.

The program will focus on helping children and their families get help and connect them with other services in the community.

Madison Center operated the previous residential treatment program at the center, but it closed in 2009.

The St. Joseph County Juvenile Justice Center is located at 1000 S. Michigan St., South Bend.