RD299 - Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Item 314 E. – Report: Northern Virginia Training Center Diversion Pilot - November 1, 2010


Executive Summary:
The 2010 General Assembly tasked the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) with establishing a pilot to divert admissions to the Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC). NVTC is a 170 bed, state-operated intermediate care facility (ICF) that provides medical and habilitative services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. The individuals that reside at NVTC receive long-term medical and habilitative care 24 hours a day from direct support and other medical professionals. The budget amendment proposing the pilot states:

“The Commissioner, in cooperation with the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards and the Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC), shall develop a pilot project to serve individuals in the community who otherwise might be admitted to NVTC. The pilot shall include a review of evidence-based community services that have proven cost effective in reducing the demand for placement at NVTC or other similar facilities. The pilot project shall have no effect on the status of individuals currently residing at NVTC. The Commissioner shall report his findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees by November 1, 2010."[Item 314 E.]

DBHDS brought together the Director of NVTC, other DBHDS staff, and the Community Services Boards (CSB) Intellectual Disability (ID) Directors from Health Planning Region 2 to evaluate current practices that are diverting admissions from NVTC and discuss the additional options that may further reduce the need for long-term admissions to the training center. The CSB Intellectual Disability (ID) Directors are responsible for the coordination of care for individuals with intellectual disabilities in their CSB catchment area whether they reside in the community or in a facility like NVTC. Health Planning Region 2 encompasses Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun Counties, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Fall Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

This report reflects the information, data, and consensus of DBHDS staff and the Region 2 ID Directors. The report outlines the current status of admissions and discharges to NVTC and Virginia’s four other training centers, current practices that the Region employs to divert admissions from NVTC, and options for implementing additional activities to further divert admissions to NVTC.