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Virtual Residential Program

Consistent with the call for community-based, least-restrictive alternatives, Providence Service
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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
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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
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of theoretical perspectives and therapies, VRP targets multiple-determinates of problems faced by the
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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
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The average intensity of VRP services initially is thirty-five hours per week, with focus on defusing
imminent risk factors and implementing crisis stabilization plans. Service delivery is designed to be
flexible and available on a 24 hour, seven days a week basis. Intervention intensity is initially high,
depending on the needs of the youth and family. Service intensity is stepped down as soon as clinically
possible (typically within the first 2-3 weeks) to an average of 25 hours per week. The intensity of the
service is further stepped down as the youth and family achieve their individualized goals and greater
stability. Step-down services are available to transition families toward less restrictive services at the
earliest possible opportunity.

Treatment Team Approach

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As with most residential programs, the Virtual Residential Program utilizes a treatment team approach in
the planning of all services. The VRP Treatment Team, including the client, referring agency
representative and parent/guardian, establish the Virtual Residential Schedule, which individualizes daily
routines and integrates treatment and behavior management components. The Team also introduces the
Five-Phase System, which outlines the youth’s goals, responsibilities and privileges while in each of the
program phases: Orientation, Acceptance, Working, Consistency and Graduation.

VRP Staff
Virtual Residential Teams consist of a Clinical Supervisor, a Home-Based Clinician and Behavioral
Interventionists. The Clinical Supervisor and Home-Based Clinician facilitate service planning and service
delivery. The Home-Based Clinician and Behavioral Interventionists work with the family to implement the
treatment plan.

Clinical supervision is provided to all VRP team members at a minimum of one hour per week in a variety
of modalities: individual, team and peer consultation. Clinical consultation will be provided to VRP teams
by Providence’s VRP Lead Developer.

Service Delivery
All services are delivered in the client’s home and community, allowing families the opportunity to address
challenges in the environment in which they are most likely to occur. Interventions include behavior
management, individual and family counseling, coordination with case management, crisis intervention,
medication monitoring, parenting skills training and education. When appropriate, VRP staff will work with
alternative education programs, to include on-site assistance, after school transition services and
education/vocational planning.

Services
1. Crisis intervention 6. Shift Staffing
2. Case-management Coordination 7. Monitoring
3. Family therapy 8. Parenting Skills Training
4. Individual therapy 9. Communication Skills Counseling
5. Behavior Management 10. Coordination with other services

For more information about VRP, please contact Scott Hayward at (207)373-0620 or
shayward@provcorp.com.