Residential Treatment

Residential Treatment

Vanier has provided effective residential treatment services since 1965. Today, we offer two programs:

Short-Term Treatment Program (free):
about the program
who is eligible?
where is it located?
what is the treatment philosophy of this program?

Longer-Term Treatment Program (fee for service):
about the program
who is eligible?
where is it located?
what is the treatment philosophy of this program?

Short-Term Treatment Program (free)

This program is fully funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. This program is divided into 3 phases and each phase lasts 3 months:

Phase 1: Getting Started - We work with the family and child to prepare for admission to residence, including developing goals.

Phase 2: Residence - in this phase, the child may be in residence 7 days per week, 5 days per week, 3 days per week, or sleeping at home but in the program from 8am-8pm.

Phase 3: Moving Home - the child moves back home and we work with the family to support this transition

Vanier offers a specialized day treatment/school program for children who require it. Family therapy, parent skill building, psychological consultation, psychiatric consultation, nursing, and occupational therapy are all available to children and their families in this program. Child & Youth Counsellors staff the residence 24/7.

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Who is eligible?

This program is for children age 7-13 whose presenting problems may include: peer problems; aggression; depression; withdrawal; suicidal thoughts and behaviours; trauma due to family disruption, violence, substance abuse, or child abuse; anxiety; fire involvement; and significant school problems. Usually, these children are living at home but are being unsuccessful at home, at school, and in the community.

All referrals for this program must go through the Children's Services Coordination Network.

Children who live in London-Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Huron-Perth, Kent, Essex and Gray-Bruce counties are eligible.

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Where is it located?

The two residential units are located on the main campus of Vanier at 871 Trafalgar Street in London. [link to photo tour]. A school (grades 1-8) is located on the property. All of Vanier's clinical resources are also located at this address.

Children in the short-term and long-term programs live together in one of the residences.

What is the Treatment Philosophy of this program?

This service is a family and child-centered multidisciplinary resource that believes that children and families can change in a positive manner when they believe in their own strengths.  

We believe that we need to work in partnership with parents to set clear and realistic goals and measurable outcomes. We believe that children need to be with their families whenever possible and offer individualized treatment programs that support this.

Vanier believe in achieving goals. We use 'best practice' treatment approaches in this program, including cognitive-behavioral (CBT), parent skill building (Triple 'P'), solution-focused family therapy.

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Longer-Term Treatment Program (fee for service):

The longer-term program specialzes in working with children who have severe complex behavioural and emotional needs.

We offer a community-based residential stabilization, assessment and treatment program that supports the transition of the child to a long-term placement. This program is a fee for service program, usually funded by a CAS or through Complex, Special Needs Funding.

The long-term program is typically 6 to 12 months of residential stay followed by 3-6 months of transitional support.

Vanier has a specialized day treatment/school program that children may attend if they require it. Family therapy, parent skill building, psychological consultation, psychiatric consultation, nursing, and occupational therapy are all available to children and their families in this program. Child & Youth Counsellors staff the residence 24/7.

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Who is eligible?

This program is for children age 7 to 13 who are in serious distress, related to attachment and trauma issues. Usually these children have been diagnosed with at least one of the following: conduct disorder; oppositional defiant disorder; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; anxiety disorder; or depressive disorder.

Often, these children have been living in a foster group care setting and are at high risk of experiencing a placement breakdown. Sometimes, these children are being admitted to the care of a CAS in an emergency crisis situation and cannot be placed in a foster home due to their high-risk behaviour.

This program is available for children living in South Western Ontario. For children living in Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Gray-Bruce, Kent, Essex and Huron-Perth counties referrals are made through the Children's Services Coordination Network (CSCN) [link to www.cscn.on.ca].

For all other children, please contact Nancy Miller at Vanier or 519-433-3101 Ext 122.

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Where is it located?

The two residential units are located on the main campus of Vanier at 871 Trafalgar Street in London. [link to photo tour]. A school (grades 1-8) is located on the property. All of Vanier's clinical resources are also located at this address.

Children in the short-term and long-term programs live together in one of the residences.

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What is the treatment philosophy of this program?

The residential treatment program is based on the principles of:

  • Competency-centered
  • Development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment
  • Involvement of family, friends, and community
  • Normalization - developmentally appropriate
  • Multi-disciplinary
  • Individualized treatment plans

Children who have difficulties with relationships and who have experienced many traumatic events benefit from a residential environment based on nurturing, secure, respectful and consistent relationships, in combination with limit setting.

The following treatment approaches have also been shown to be effective in treating children:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Skills Training (problem solving, social skills, affect regulation
  • Ecological Approach to Treatment
  • Pharmacological Treatment
  • individual trauma therapy
  • specialized groups, such as 'child witness to woman abuse'
  • parent skill building

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