Virtual Residential Program (VRP)

Consistent with the call for community-based, least-restrictive alternatives, Providence Service Corporation’s Virtual Residential Program was created to meet the needs of an underserved subset of children and adolescents with mental illnesses --those with emotional disturbances so severe that they are at imminent risk of out-of-home placement. VRP is a family-centered and strength-based intervention that combines the structure of residential programs with the benefits of in-home efficacy. Utilizing a mix of theoretical perspectives and therapies, VRP targets multiple-determinates of problems faced by the youth and their families. VRP provides families, schools, and communities with a diversion alternative to unnecessary out-of-home placements and/or to expedite successful step-down of youth following residential or psychiatric placements.

Program Structure
• Focuses on strengthening family systems by providing the structure of a formal residential setting within the family’s home and community
• Implements safety contracting to aid in defusing imminent risk factors and implementing crisis stabilization plans
• Provides flexible and available service delivery on a 24 hour, seven days a week basis
• Intervention intensity is individualized depending on the needs of the youth and family
• Provides daily schedule designed to meet identified treatment goals through a variety of therapeutic intervention
• Schedule individualizes daily routines and integrates treatment and behavior management components
• Uses Phase System to outline youth’s goals, responsibilities and privileges

Treatment Team Approach
• Utilizes a treatment team approach in the planning of all services
• VRP Treatment Team includes the client, referring agency representative, parent/guardian, schools and any other support systems or persons identified by the team
• Treatment Team works collaboratively in establishing the Virtual Residential Daily Schedule
• Team introduces the Phase System and monitors progress and progression in program with family each week

Therapists facilitate service planning, service delivery, and case coordination
• Home-Based Therapists and Behavior Coaches work with the family to implement treatment plan
• Clinical supervision is provided to all VRP team members in a variety of modalities: individual, team and peer consultation
• VRP staff are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for crisis response.