MVCFS Intake Department receives referrals from the agencies below by phone, fax, and encrypted emails. Most agencies initiate contact by phone and communicate directly with our Intake Coordinator(s) to discuss client needs and current openings.
Child Protective Services (CPS)
The Department of Social Services placement workers submit referrals upon the recommendations of their County Behavioral Health Department and the assigned judge. These children must also have been reviewed by the Interagency Placement Committee in their county and need to be certified as meeting the criteria for residential placement.
Probation Departments
Juvenile Probation Placement Officers submit client referrals upon the approval of the assigned judge. These children must also have been reviewed by the interagency management, authorization committee in their county, and must also be certified as meeting criteria for residential placement.
Educationally Placed Students
SELPAs, LEAs and School Directors submit referrals in collaboration with parent(s)/guardians and IEP Teams. The student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) will need to identify MVCFS programs as the appropriate residential and educational setting. The IEP will also specify what mental health services will be necessary to support the student while they are in our residential programs.
Client Interviews
Prior to acceptance, children are typically interviewed by an MVCFS Director, Administrator, Clinician, or Program Specialist. Interviews take place at school districts, juvenile halls, residential or psychiatric facilities, child and family services offices, or at one of our campuses (which may also include a tour of our facilities).
Interviews provide us with an opportunity to engage prospective clients in a dialogue to determine the appropriateness of our programs to their needs. Children are also given the opportunity to interview us first and may end the interview at any time. Throughout the interview process, we reinforce the voluntary nature of the placement.
Children’s interviews include:
- Personal story, including anything they think or feel we should know about them (history, expectations, experiences, etc.)
- Family, siblings, parents, extended family, friends, etc.
- Hobbies & interests
- Community supports, church, school, club, etc.
- Perspectives on being referred to treatment; what they feel they need to work on; interventions that have helped them in the past; and what they feel we can do to help them in the future.
- Goals for the immediate future, transition from residential and long-range plans such as college, career aspirations, living situations, etc.
Upon successful completion of the interview, children are offered an overview of the programs that may include a video or slide show of the grounds, facilities, activities, etc.