VTCC | Mental health inpatient services | Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU

Welcome to Virginia Treatment Center for Children

We provide round-the-clock inpatient care in a supportive environment, with the goal of stabilizing and safely transitioning children and adolescents back into their daily lives.

Our inpatient units provide individual rooms for patients, along with ample space for a family member to stay overnight with their child. VTCC boasts expansive outdoor areas featuring playgrounds, allowing patients to enjoy natural light. Children who participate in our educational services benefit from a dedicated classroom environment mirroring their regular school environment that helps facilitate comprehensive behavioral evaluation.

Our multidisciplinary approach involves close collaboration between experts in psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, counseling, social work, nursing, pharmacy and other disciplines as needed. Coordinated care for children with acute needs includes:

Crisis stabilization through behavioral and pharmacologic interventions
Comprehensive evaluations
Individual, group and family psychotherapy
Care coordination
Child life
Educational services
Family support
Nutrition services
Occupational therapy
Recreational therapy

We work with families and communities to ensure that children receive follow-up care and support services after leaving the hospital. The average inpatient stay is five to seven days. Inpatient care is available for children as young as three.

An environment designed for healing and hope

We have transformed the mental health care environment from a typical institutional environment to an inspirational, light-filled, nature-themed facility.

Our inpatient facilities include:

32 inpatient rooms with private baths and accommodations for a family member to spend the night with their child
Therapy mall for occupational, recreational, art, music and play therapy
Inpatient K-12 school programs
Dining hall for families and team members
Half-court gym
Outdoor playgrounds and recreation spaces
Internal gardens
On-site Cameron K. Gallagher Mental Health Resource Center

Take a virtual tour of VTCC

Inpatient care: What to expect

Our inpatient care is designed to meet the unique needs of each child and their family. This means we include:

Accommodations for you to spend the night in your child’s room
Collaborative problem-solving
Trauma-informed care to address the complex effects of trauma (separation, homelessness, violence, sexual abuse, etc.)
Child psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, therapists, mental health partners and other team members who get to know each child
On-site pharmacists who works with the physicians to manage medications
Flexible visiting hours for families and loved ones
Family participation throughout treatment
Child life support to help children adjust to the hospital and understand treatment

Visitation and spending the night

Support from family and friends are a vital part of a child’s treatment. Parents/guardians are allowed to visit any time. Scheduled visitation hours are available for all other visitors and based on the individual needs of your child. Please check with your child’s nurse for more information.

All adult visitors are required to sign in and out with the receptionist and must provide a picture ID.
Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
We encourage you to be present as much as possible during your child’s hospitalization.

Meals

Nutrition helps feed a happy and healthy mind. Meals and a la carte foods are served in our cafeteria; you are encouraged to eat with your child. There is a small charge for parent/guardian meals.

School program

Children in the hospital can continue with their school work through our school program supported by the Virginia Department of Education. The program operates on a public school calendar with a limited summer program late June through August.

The curriculum for each grade level is based on the Virginia Standards of Learning, but is individualized for each student and accommodates individualized education programs and Section 504 plans. All teachers in our inpatient education program are licensed and certified in special education with endorsements in emotional disturbance or learning disabilities.

Contact VTCC

Prior to inpatient admission, children must be screened by a qualified mental health professional. This can be the child's regular mental health provider or a screener in a hospital emergency room or community services board. After determining that inpatient care is needed, the screener will contact VTCC to arrange next steps. We admit children around the clock.