TLC Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility and Emergency Shelter Services
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF)
The target population for TLC's PRTF program is children and youth, ranging in age from 11 to 18, who are in need of comprehensive mental health treatment. Many of these youth are, or have been victims of abuse, neglect, or other family disruption including domestic violence, substance abuse and/or mental health issues. TLC's PRTF works actively with the family, other agencies, and the community to offer strengths-based, culturally competent, medically appropriate treatment designed to meet the needs of the child and their family. The three PRTF homes have a combined 40 bed capacity.
TLC's Residential Treatment Program philosophy is child and family focused. We value the importance of a “homelike” atmosphere that provides structure and guidelines for the group setting, while individualizing treatment for each child and their family. This comprehensive service package includes the provision of a positive and supportive behavioral climate, provided by direct care staff, and led by a highly trained behavioral team of program managers, house managers and assistant house managers. This team collaborates with the psychiatrist, the nursing staff and clinicians to develop a therapeutic milieu, as well as individualized, strengths-based treatment plans for each client.
Mission:
To create hope through a safe, structured, individualized treatment learning environment
Vision:
To empower youth to develop and sustain full, dynamic lives within the community
2007 Residential Services Year in Review...
- 131 Youth Served
- 51 recieved PRTF services
- 80 recieved Level V services
*TLC just recently made the trasition from Level 5 Residential Services to PRTF. Please see below for some FAQ's on this change.
Emergency Shelter Services
TLC's Emergency Shelter is a co-ed facility that provides emergency and/or temporary shelter to youth ages 11-18, male or female who need a safe place to stay and a structured environment. It has an 11-bed capacity and a family style living area. The Shelter also provides each youth with an individualized treatment plan that may include one or all of the following: individual/group/family counseling; educational/vocational training; medical/dental care; life skills education; tutoring; mentoring and organized recreation.
Shelter staff have a variety of backgrounds involving work with youth and families and provide 24/7 care to the youth who reside at the shelter.
Mission :
To provide homeless/abuse/neglected youth with temporary housing that offers safety, structure and the opportunity for positive growth and development through role modeling, education and self-awareness.
Vision:
The vision of the Shelter Home Program is to bridge YOUTH with success to lead fulfilled and enriched lives,despite the setbacks they may have previously experienced.
2007 Emergency Shelter Year in Review...
- 167 youth served
PRTF—What does it mean for TLC?
In June of 2006, the federal government mandated that every provider of Level 5 and Level 6 youth residential treatment services become a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). TLC immediately began the steps necessary to comply with the new regulations and in July 2007 became one of only 16 Kansas agencies to be approved as a PRTF.
How do a PRTF's treatment programs differ from the programs formerly used at TLC?
Before a youth can now be placed in residential treatment at TLC, they must have a PRTF screening and receive a mental health diagnosis consistent with the program's treatment objectives. There is an exception for an emergency situation where youth can be placed for a maximum of seven days while a PRTF screening is done.
What youth are served through the new PRTF program?
This program is designed to serve children (11-18) primarily in Juvenile Justice Authority (JJA) or Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) who need intensive/collaborative clinical, psychiatric and medical services. Currently TLC can serve a maximum of 15 in each of its co-ed on-site homes and 10 in the remaining co-ed community home.
Is a PRTF a psychiatric hospital?
No, it is a community-based treatment center which carefully assesses, closely monitors and provides extensive treatment to youth in a residential setting.
What is TLC's PRTF service area?
Children from local agencies and from counties all over the state of Kansas are served.
What types of treatment are provided?
Youth receive individual and group therapy from a Clinical Team, a Medical Team and a Psychiatric Team. These teams collaborate with the Residential Team which oversees the day-to-day activities and treatment of the youth.
Do the youth take school classes?
Yes, most of them attend Olathe School District 's Claire Alternative Learning Center located on TLC's campus. Occasionally youth are transported to their home schools.
What staffing changes has TLC made?
Our Council on Accreditation (COA) regulations demand a staffing radio of 5:1 during waking hours and 10:1 during nighttime hours. These ratios are actually lower than required for a PRTF but stricter gender requirements are now in place. In addition, a PRTF requires on-site medical personnel. Staff members added include a doctor, a nurse practitioner and two LPNs. Access is 24/7 on an on-call basis.
How is the progress of youth measured?
A treatment plan is written by the therapist, with over site by the staff psychologist and psychiatrist. Treatment reviews are implemented every 30 days and include the youth, caseworker, residential treatment staff, the PRTF liaison, other treatment providers and the parent/guardian (when possible).
How long is the average stay?
There is no average length of stay; the time spent at TLC is based upon an individual's need. The program goal is to return youth back to their home communities as soon as they are ready, with no limit on the length of stay.
What community resources can TLC access in an effort to help our youth cope?
Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Johnson County Mental Health; diversion and probation can all be sources of assistance.
What volunteer activities would be helpful for our youth?
TLC's teens enjoy the attention of caring adults during on-site meals, games and activities. They also like attending sports events such as baseball and football games and going bowling, playing miniature golf and eating out. Individuals wanting to have regular face-to-face contact with one youth can enter our mentoring training.
