Programs - Crisis Intervention Home

Sometimes it is necessary for children to be removed from their homes for a short period -- a time during which both the youth and the family can refocus and determine both their goals and their strengths -- together. The Crisis Intervention Home provides a safe and structured environment for these children while they are awaiting return to their own home or to an alternative placement.

The Crisis Intervention Home (CIH) offers an alternative to secure detention and serves as an emergency shelter for youth aged 13-17. The program works to stabilize youth and their families and helps them to clarify and resolve crisis situations. As an intensive, short-term crisis intervention program, CIH works to provide a safe, nurturing, supportive living environment until the youth returns home or a more permanent placement can be found. The length of stay at the Crisis Intervention Home can range from one night to several months, based on the individual situation.        

The Crisis Intervention Home has several objectives:

• Stabilize the child’s behavior through a structured daily program;
• Establish short-term behavioral plans with each child;
• Coordinate the child’s educational plan with his/her home school;
• Promote development of interpersonal and decision making skills;
• Teach and foster the development of appropriate social skills;
• Provide structured pro-social activities;
• Uphold accountability for behavior through the use of positive reinforcement and natural and logical consequences;
• Provide basic counseling and case management activities;
• Target specific behavioral goals.

 

To achieve these objectives, the Crisis Intervention Home offers the following services:

• In-House School Program with City of Virginia Beach homebound teacher;
• Coordination of community service opportunities;
• Aggression Replacement Training, an evidence-based model program that addresses social skills, anger control, and moral reasoning;
• Individual and group counseling;
• Optional health education training on a bi-weekly basis;
• Utilization of community resources to educate residents on health, nutrition and personal safety;
• Recreation and pro-social activities, including participation in the Commission’s Outdoor Adventure Program;

 

Referrals to the Crisis Intervention Home are made directly through the Juvenile Courts and the Departments of Social Services as well as Family Assessment and Planning Teams throughout Hampton Roads. Referrals are made when it is determined that it is in the best interest of the child to be placed temporarily in a less-secure, community-based residential facility. For more information, or to make a referral, please contact Todd Walker, Program Director, at 757-422-4521 or twalker@tyscommission.org