At Project Valor, we have developed a treatment program around the core belief that adolescents deserve treatment for their sexually abusive behaviors in a non-shaming, non-judgmental, strength based environment. We believe that treatment can be maximized through individualized treatment planning that encompasses the adolescent’s specific developmental issues, method of learning, and individual strengths.

Services

• Sexually Abusive Specific Group Therapy and Curricula

• Individual & Group Counseling

• Weekly Family Therapy

• Nursing Services

• Social Skills Training & Psychosexual Groups

• Aggression Replacement Training

• Relapse Prevention Training

• Educational Programming

• Independent Living Skills Training

• Art and Music Therapy

• Recreational Therapy

• Family Visits/Home Passes

• Discharge/After Care Plans

At Project Valor we treat the whole child. Within a positive peer culture, adolescent males can develop self-worth, significance, dignity and responsibility. We examine the presenting problem as well as other behavioral issues, psychiatric issues as well as educational needs. Healthy sexuality, family issues, and developing the strengths of each individual are also a focus of daily life at Project Valor.

Upon the first family session, parents/guardians involved in family therapy will receive a copy of Pathways Guide For Parents workbook to begin the process of change for the family as a whole.

Other components of Project Valor include learning about substance use, exploring past trauma, social skills development, relapse prevention and reunification when appropriate. Some of the texts that we utilize include Pathways, SMART Recovery, The SAFE Workbook for Youth: New Choices for a Healthy Lifestyle, The Relapse Prevention Workbook for Youth in Treatment, The Road to Freedom, Footprints, and Back On Track.

Admission Criteria

• Males 12 – 17 years of age

• IQ greater than 70

• Not a danger to self or to others

• Possesses a DSM-IV-TR, Axis I diagnosis (other than a sexual abuse, substance abuse or conduct diagnosis)

• Unable to be treated in a lower level of care

• Evidence of sexually abusive behaviors

• Adolescent may be adjudicated or non-adjudicated for sexually abusive incidences

Exclusionary Criteria

• Unable to participate in treatment planning or to respond to therapeutic interventions

• Suicidal or homicidal ideation

• Severely disorganized or Active Psychosis

• Use of substances that requires detoxification/medical care

• Sexually reactive and/or not identified as an abuser

• Sexually aggressive and/or in need of a higher level of care

• Individual has medical problems that would require acute or skilled nursing/medical care.

Miscellaneous Facts

• Program Rules: A complete listing of the rules and regulations may be found in the Resident Handbook and Participant Manual.

• Funding Sources: Medicaid, Contracts

• Licensure: Commonwealth of Virginia, Department Of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services

• Accreditation: JCAHO, VAISEF

A typical day for a resident of Project Valor includes waking up, completing hygiene tasks and cleaning their rooms. Residents then attend an independent living skills group to start their day positively and examine their strengths in this area. Residents will then enjoy breakfast and participate in school. After morning school, residents will participate in sexually abusive specific groups before going to lunch. After lunch, residents will finish up their school day by attending either life skills or Physical Education. At the conclusion of the school day, residents are given an opportunity to focus on completing treatment work prior to attending their daily therapy including recreation therapy, art therapy, music therapy substance abuse therapy. Residents will have time to play outside prior to going to dinner. After dinner, residents of Project Valor will participate in a social skills group, do treatment work, write in their journals during journal time and/or have some unit time to enjoy themselves and make phone calls. Residents will then take a shower, get prepared for the next day and go to sleep.