Virginia Home for Boys and Girls - Admission Criteria

A comprehensive review by our admissions team will be afforded to all applicants. We will carefully consider children who meet our criteria, but also present with behaviors and disorders nearly meeting the exclusionary criteria and/or displaying challenging behaviors such as arson, animal cruelty, gang activity, criminality, and chronic running away. For all applicants with special medical needs or history of medication refusal, we include a medical review from our Health Services team as part of the application process. VHBG has the ability and resources to work with the medically fragile population.

VHBG effectively serves children whose current needs can be safely addressed in an open campus setting, and who are able and willing to access the many resources our programs offer, including: the Teaching Family Model and family-style living in our group homes, individual and family counseling services, on-site health and psychiatric services including medication management, and educational and vocational programs through our John G. Wood School or nearby public schools. Our individualized programming is responsive and flexible for children needing short- or longer-term placement, such as those requiring step-down from more intensive services (such as residential treatment) or those stepping-up due to intensified or crisis needs (such as foster care disruption.)

VHBG serves children who:

• require a structured, family-style setting to promote stability,
• are willing to participate in an educational and/or vocational program,
• have current medical insurance,
• have needs not requiring ongoing hospitalization, and
• have an IQ of 70 or greater.

Our Residential Program serves males and females ages 11-17 years old. The Pathfinder Independent Living Home serves males ages 16-21 years old who are willing to engage in employment and independent living programming.

VHBG effectively serves children who exhibit a wide range of emotional and/or behavioral symptoms and disorders. Our experienced staff have a demonstrated history of success serving children with psychological disorders including but not limited to: Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, ADHD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Adjustment Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Dysthymic Disorder. VHBG is also well-equipped to serve children who have experienced multiple disruptions and/or traumatic events and who may be struggling with associated Post-Traumatic Stress. In addition, we welcome children who are struggling with symptoms and behaviors associated with substance use and eating issues, but who do not require ongoing intensive specialized treatment or hospitalization.

VHBG’s campus-based Health Services department enables us to effectively serve children with a range of specialized medical needs, including but not limited to chronic conditions such as HIV and diabetes.

Children excluded from admission to VHBG typically demonstrate a level of instability or need requiring inpatient hospitalization or intensive, secure treatment. These children include those diagnosed with active Psychotic Disorders, Substance Dependence, Dissociative Disorders, Cognitive Disorders (e.g., Dementia, Delirium), and those children who are adjudicated Sexual Offenders. Pregnant children and those with severe physical limitations or IQs under 70 will be considered for admission.