York Overview
The York Homes Programs, owned and operated by ViaQuest Behavioral Health (VBH), are two staff-secure, community-based RTFs in York County, PA. These Programs have been in operation since 2005 and 2006 and are fully licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW). The Programs provide treatment for males ages 16-21, specializing in transitional living services for residents in need of learning daily living skills to transition into less restrictive environments:
• The Edgar Street Program specializes in transitional living services for males behavioral and emotional management difficulties; academic, psychiatric, environmental, and family problems; frequently combined with legal involvement. Residents may also present with substance abuse issues secondary to their psychiatric diagnosis.
• The Madison Avenue Program specializes in transitional living services for males with primary psychiatric diagnosis concomitant with behavioral issues and a history of sexually victimizing behaviors, at low risk to sexually re-offend.
Youth served in these programs are in a unique phase of their lives, where adult expectations are becoming clearer and youth expectations are fading. In addition, many of these youth have been isolated from society as a result of their previous treatment environments. These individuals have often had multiple placements within social service systems and have had minimal time with their natural supports. Oftentimes, there is an “institutional state of mind” where the youth has had few experiences with the idea of choice.
For both programs, residents have been determined to not require a more intensive level of care, and can be maintained in a community based, staff secure setting.
Total Capacity: 17 beds
The Edgar Street Program: up to six males.
The Madison Street Program: up to eleven males.
Program Goals: To equip residents with techniques to manage and express their behaviors in socially adaptive ways. Youth are expected to make choices for themselves with guidance and support from their treatment teams and provided with a structured environment to develop their ability to understand how their choices impact their environments.
Unique Benefits of both York Home Programs; Both:
- Are DPW licensed.
- Are staff-secure.
- Are Community-based
- Are Medicaid and county funded.
- Have nursing services provided.
- Have an average length of stay of only nine months.
- Specialize in transitional living services.
- Teach Life Skills Programming.
Transitional Living Treatment
- Therapy: Individual and Family.
- Natural Support Systems Education: Group meetings with the youth and his support systems.
- Psycho-educational Groups.
- Treatment Levels: Gradual decrease in supervision as there is a progression towards an internal locus of control and the development of life skills.
- Behavior Management: Use of behavior support plan; natural, logical, and imposed consequences; and crisis management.
- Life Skills Programming:
- Self Care
- Safety & Mobility
- Educational & Vocational
- Social Skill & Self-Advocacy
- Time, Medical & Household Management
- Financial Management & Budgeting
- Sexual Offender Treatment at the Madison Avenue Transitional Living Program: A cognitive behavioral approach is utilized to address offending issues incorporating Relapse Prevention and Thinking Errors.
Resident Progress
Each resident’s progress is closely reviewed at least monthly, and more frequently as needed, by the MDT. Family members and referral sources are strongly encouraged to attend.
Click here to view York's latest CAFAS scores.
Eligibility
- Primary psychiatric diagnosis.
- **History of victimizing sexual behaviors at low risk to re-offend (only for the Madison Avenue Transitional Living Program).
- Adolescent male between the ages of 16 and 21 years of age.
- Willing to comply with a jointly developed treatment plan.
- Family or natural supports should be committed to significant involvement in the treatment process.
- Can be safely maintained in a staff secure residential setting.
- Requires a structured environment due to emotional or behavioral factors.
- Requires life skills development in order to live independently in the community.
- Guarantor accepts financial responsibility for treatment and residential services provided.
Referral Process
The admission process begins with a referral from:
- County MH/MR, CYF agencies or Juvenile Probation Departments.
- Managed Care Organizations.
- School districts.
- Families.
- Private clinicians/physicians.
Once a referral has been made, a clinical team will review and assess the packet and may request additional pertinent information. Complete background information will be required prior to admission. Such information must include:
- Service needs of the youth.
- Youth’s legal status.
- Circumstances that make placement necessary.
Admission is determined on a case-by-case basis. Each decision shall be documented in writing; that the age, needs, and any special characteristics of the resident can be appropriately met by The York Homes activities, programs, planning, and other ancillary services provided.
For more information, or to make a referral, please contact:
- ViaQuest Behavioral Health
- York Homes Transitional Living Program
- 730 Edgar Street, York, PA 17043
- Tel: (717) 848-1211
- Fax: (717) 848-8975
