Therapeutic Group Home
Focusing on the Strengths of Young People
OLAs Therapeutic Group Home program is equipped to manage adolescents with a wide range of emotions who require additional nurturing and support with their acquisition of independent living skills.
OLA's Group Homes provide...
…residential services to mentally ill and emotionally disturbed adolescents, male and female, ages 13 to 18 who are in need of full-time residential care in a supportive and structured environment. OLA’s group homes are designed to create an atmosphere that encourages positive living and life-skills for the future. This includes providing incremental steps towards responsibility that lead to a positive return home or into a supported independent living environment.
Our Group Homes
OLA has three Therapeutic Group Homes located in the East End of Richmond’s Fairmont community.
Call us: 804-343-5152
Services
- counseling services
Designed to help adolescents recognize the dynamics of the family structure and to aid them in taking positive steps toward repairing fractured relationships. Adolescents are equipped with techniques for improving problem solving and decision-making skills; in addition they receive support with obtaining other identified goals to integrate them back into their families.
- mentoring services
Provided to give adolescents exposure to a variety of different skills which strengthens their social development within the home and community. Mentors serve as both role models and advocates for the youth. Mentors visit the youth’s school, participate in recreational activities, provide job skills support and assists families with achieving treatment goals.
- individualized treatment
Provided for adolescents who are in danger of being displaced from their families of origin, group homes, or foster home placements due to maladaptive behavior. Individuals are supervised by a skilled counselor who aids them in examining their behavior and adopting more appropriate ways of interacting.
- psychological assessments
Provided for each adolescent as a means of determining their overall needs. This assessment examines psychological, emotional, educational, and social factors which influence current functioning and supports the basis for the adolescent’s treatment plan.
- academic tutoring
Provided for adolescents in all core subject areas (Math, English, Science, Foreign Language, and Reading).
What our clients are saying....
The children of OLA Family Services are not like other children in group homes. They are easy to engage, confident and appear happy.
Senior Probation Officer, Juvenile and Domestic Relations
OLA has made the difference in my client's life. My client provided such good eye contact and showed such confidence in his speech, I could hardly recognize him!
Senior Social Worker, Department of Social Services
Integrating Therapeutic Services with Community Engagement
Adolescents residing in OLA’s therapeutic group homes are afforded exposure to various cultural, social, educational, and fine arts activities; as well as vocational opportunities within the community.
Annual vacations to national and international destinations.
Camping and fishing trips in recreational vehicle and boat.
Opportunities to seek employment and volunteer positions.
Outcomes
- Enhance decision-making skills
- Cooperation
- Individual responsibility
- Increased leadership skills
- Foster teamwork & sportsmanship
- Sense of community
- Group cohesion
Admission Criteria
Must meet the following:
- Mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.
- Diagnosed with ADHD, ED/LD, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and/or Depression.
- Minimum IQ 68+ (is evaluated on an individual basis).
Adolescents are evaluated based on the following:
- Ability to function in a community based program with medium directives.
- Ability to comprehend basic instructions.
- Eligible and suitable to attend public or private day school, alternative education, or can be admitted into a GED program; or ability to work in the community.
- Medication regime.
- A.W.O.L.s.
- Grand larceny or auto theft.
- Fire setting or property destruction.
- Violent and aggressive behavior with peers or adults.
- Suicidal gestures or attempts, or homicidal behavior.
- Sexual abuse as a victim or perpetrator.
- Drug or alcohol abuse.
