VICTOR TREATMENT CENTERS GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Victor Family of Programs Mission Statement:

“To provide treatment, care, supervision, and instruction to high-risk children and families in a manner that enriches lives and respects individual differences through personal responsibility, dignity, and independence, now and in the future.”

Purpose, Methods, and Goals

Victor Treatment Centers provides an intensive residential treatment program for seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents in the least restrictive environment possible. Full Day Intensive Day Treatment (5 days/week following the school calendar) and Medication Support Services are offered to all clients attending our non public school. Victor Treatment Centers, Inc. subcontracts with the separate but related school entity, North Valley Schools, Inc, to provide Medi-Cal billable day treatment and medication support services and provide the necessary documentation to allow Counties to bill and be reimbursed for the federal financial participation portion of the costs.

Our residential treatment program offers a high staff to client ratio in a home-like atmosphere. Each residential facility is staffed exceeding Community Care requirements and in addition to the awake night staff, the residential programs have staff who float between facilities to add additional support. Each residential unit is limited in number to insure a non-institutional environment.

It is within the residential unit that our clients learn daily living skills in a cooperative environment. Staff and clients work together, as a team, to practice the essentials of positive social relationships.

Our highly trained interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, licensed clinical staff, and residential counselors follow an individualized treatment plan to assure each child an opportunity to have a successful experience.

Services provided include; intensive supervision, intensive behavior management program, positive behavioral reinforcement and intensive treatment planning.

Individual, group and family therapy is made available within the structure of the residential program as well as the day intensive treatment program.

Victor’s residential program is specifically designed to encourage community involvement, personal health and safety education, leisure skills training and independent living skills.

All children referred to Victor Treatment Center are first screened by an interagency screening committee or IEP team to establish eligibility as Severely Emotionally Disturbed. The individual is then assessed by a Victor mental health professional, through application and personal interview.

Several assessments are made at intake. A psychosocial assessment is made to determine the social needs of the child. A psychiatric evaluation is completed to assess the current need for psychotropic medication. An educational assessment is completed within the school environment to assess the special education needs. When necessary a psychological evaluation is completed. As a result of these assessments and evaluations a comprehensive treatment plan is developed.

Treatment intervention is provided through an established behavioral reinforcement system that is integrated into all elements of the child’s treatment including residential, school and day treatment.

The treatment plan is reviewed, evaluated, and renewed at least every 90 days. This review is completed by an interdisciplinary team consisting of the psychiatrist, residential staff, clinical staff, education staff, parents and placement officials.

Planned Activities/Use of Community Resources

Each individual is involved in social and recreational activities as an integral part of the treatment program. The day treatment program integrates social skills training with socialization activities as part of the day treatment day. The on-grounds school includes physical education as part of the daily curriculum.

After school activities include recreation and leisure time activities such as team sports, individual sports, table games and community outings. Community resources are utilized including informal recreation programs, libraries, and church youth groups. Outings include camping, backpacking, and out-of-town excursions, etc.

Off-site recreation and socialization activities are geared for the specific population. Each individual is judged based on their ability to control their own impulses and follow staff direction to determine eligibility for involvement.

Many individuals referred to Victor Treatment Centers have been previously assessed for Special Education. The individuals who are not currently on an IEP are assessed by the school study team. Most individuals determined to be eligible for special education services at a non-public school are enrolled in North Valley School, the “on-grounds school.” The final determination for school attendance lies with the IEP team. All students are considered, on an ongoing basis, for mainstream to the public education system.