Admissions and Discharge
An adult (18 years of age or older) with mental retardation may be admitted after having been screened by the community services board that serves the jurisdiction wherein he/she has residency, and for whom there are no least restrictive community alternatives. An application for admission is initiated through the community services board and must include a prescreening report, a current psychological evaluation, other clinical information that supports the application, and a discharge plan.
Judicial Certification (Time Limited)
This type of admission is utilized for individuals with complex/challenging behaviors and conditions. The community service board must petition the court to determine whether the individual with mental retardation is eligible for admission. The Judge will certify eligibility of the admission when he/she is satisfied that: the individual is mentally retarded and is in need of institutional training and treatment; and the facility has agreed to the admission and there is no less restrictive alternative consistent with the best interests/needs of the individual. The certification is not an order to admit, it only certifies that the individual is eligible for admission and empowers the center to accept the individual. Length of stay is characterized by the service needs of the individual.
Respite Care
This type of admission is solely for the purpose of providing temporary care because of medical and other urgent conditions of the caretaker(s), or to allow the caretaker(s) to take a vacation. Respite care is not intended as a means of receiving evaluation and special services. Care and activities that assure continuity with the normal life rhythm of the individual will be provided. The application must include clinical information that supports mental retardation and a prescreening report by the local community service board that addresses non-availability of respite services in a less restrictive setting. Maximum residential care under this category is 21 consecutive days per admission not to exceed 75 days in a calendar year.
Emergency Care
The urgent nature of this type of admission will not allow the routine preadmission process to evolve; therefore, the receipt of clinical information and a prescreening report prior to admission may be waived. Admission under this category is intended to provide immediate short term care in the event of a catastrophe or emergency that impacts the health and safety of eligible individual with mental retardation. Activities and care that assure continuity with normal living patterns of the individual will be provided. The maximum length of care under this category is 21 consecutive days or 75 days in a calendar year.
Admission Procedures
On scheduled day of admission, the individual will come to the Medical Clinic, Building 124. A physical examination including genetic screening will be completed by the attending physician. The assigned social worker will secure needed information, will address questions and concerns raised by family members, and complete HIP forms. The admission process will end when the individual has been introduced to his/her living area and to key persons who will be involved with providing care, treatment, and training. Individuals are encouraged to wear their own clothing and to use personal items to the extent possible. Clothing and other personal items are labeled and become a part of the individual's inventory. Monies for personal use should be sent to the Cashier, Building #78, Southside Virginia Training Center, P.O. Box 4030, Petersburg, VA. 23803.
Discharge Criteria
Discharge planning begins during the community pre-admission phase. The pre-discharge plan is updated as needed or at least yearly by the interdisciplinary team which includes the individual, his/her family/representative, and community services board case manager. The team determines when the individual has received maximum benefits from individualized habitation training and when his/her need can be met in a less restrictive environment. The discharge plan will specify the services required to meet the individual's needs for treatment, housing, nutrition, physical care and safety; income subsidies for which the individual is eligible and agencies that will be involved in providing services and support. Following the development of a coordinated plan of care involving the individual, family and community case manager, the individual is discharged. During the first six (6) months, the social worker and case manager will provide optimal follow-along services