Eckerd Youth Alternatives was the earlier name associated with Eckerd's North Carolina youth-service programs. Eckerd's North Carolina history describes outdoor therapeutic programs serving at-risk youth, with several wilderness-camp programs operating before the organization shifted toward more traditional residential services.

Eckerd Connects states that five North Carolina programs closed during 2009-2011 and that two remaining programs transitioned to more traditional residential settings in Candor and Boomer. North Carolina public-safety materials now describe Eckerd short-term juvenile justice residential services for adjudicated male youth ages 13 to 17.