Overview

KVC Missouri provides residential treatment for children and teens who are struggling with their mental health and need intensive and compassionate care in a therapeutic setting with 24/7 supervision. Treatment is based on each child’s unique needs and uses a combination of therapeutic services, including individual, group and family therapy, psychiatric services, and medical services in a milieu setting.

Our approach to residential treatment is trauma-informed, strength-based, child- and family-focused, and stresses the importance of building healthy attachments and relationships.

Clinical Assessment 

Upon admission, each child receives a thorough assessment, which gathers clinical information related to their personal history, current diagnosis, family history, current functioning and more. KVC team members then work to develop a treatment plan, including plans for discharge.

Clients may be referred for an advanced assessment with a clinician certified in the Neuroseguential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). NMT Metrics is a structured, evidence-based assessment of developmental history, history of adverse experiences, relational health, and current brain-mediated functioning. The information gathered generates a “functional brain map” that identifies areas of the brain that appear to have functional or developmental challenges. The treatment plan includes specific recommendations for an individualized intervention, enrichment and education plan that best meets the client’s unique needs.

Psychiatric Services

Thorough initial psychiatric assessments are completed and psychiatrists are available for regular consultation with parents/guardians, therapists and case managers to provide medication checks and crisis assessments.

Therapy Services

Master-level therapists provide individual, group and family therapy on a weekly basis. A client’s therapist acts as the central point of contact for their family, external stakeholders such as outpatient providers, and their KVC treatment team.

Family therapy is a critical component of treatment and is provided in person, if possible, by a therapist. Additional family engagements may also be supported via video, phone and other communication methods depending on location and family availability.

Group therapy is provided multiple times each week by master-level therapists. Individual psychotherapy is provided weekly by a master-level therapist and if required by diagnosis, a client will also receive substance use education. Additional therapeutic milieu processes and skill-building groups are provided multiple times each day.

Residential care provides 24-hour supervision by highly trained team members, state-of-the-art security and monitoring systems, crisis intervention, skills training, and structured and unstructured recreation activities. Process groups and skills training groups are facilitated regularly in the milieu and focus on emotional regulation, social skills, anger management, conflict resolution, problem-solving and self-esteem building. Outdoor experiential learning is an important part of our therapeutic services.

Education Services From KVC Academy

Depending on a client’s needs, they will either attend a KVC Academy program onsite or they will attend a public school in the community. Our KVC Academy educational services are accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Instruction is provided by highly qualified special education teachers trained in social skills, anger management and conflict resolution. All KVC Academy classrooms are facilitated by teachers and/or paraprofessional teams. Structured recreational and therapeutic services are provided throughout the day.

Specialized treatment programming is offered at all residential treatment centers, such as substance use education and therapy, self-injury treatment, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy.

Meramec Adventure Ranch

As a part of residential treatment, many clients will take a trip to KVC Missouri’s Meramec Adventure Ranch. The Ranch is a therapeutic wilderness campus offering ropes courses, aquatic adventures, camping, climbing, kayaking, biking, team challenges, and more. Here campers discover their inner-courage and a renewed passion for life.

While the Ranch is a primarily outdoor space, it follows all residential treatment standards, policies, and procedures to ensure therapeutic healing with safety and security. Learn more about Meramec Adventure Ranch and how it helps children build positive connections, self-esteem and resilience.

For more information about our mental health services, contact us at 1-844-424-3577.

Two Types of Residential Treatment: The Difference Between PRTFs and QRTPs

Both Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs) and Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) treat youth who are having ongoing struggles managing their symptoms and haven’t experienced improvement with outpatient services. They are secure placements that provide long-term intensive clinical services and clients can practice skills for coping and emotion regulation.

Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP)

• QRTPs do not use a medical model
• Treatment has a typical length of stay of around 90-180 days
• Clients may attend school either on campus at KVC Academy or in the community

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF)

• PRTFs implement a medical model, meaning clients will have more interactions with medical staff including psychiatrists and mental health nurses
• Treatment has a typical length of stay of around 90 days
• Clients attend school on campus at KVC Academy

Our Locations Offering Residential Treatment 

Columbia, MO (PRTF)

• 4304 S. Bearfield Rd., Columbia, MO 65201

Kansas City, MO (QRTP)

• 1911 E 23rd St, Kansas City, MO 64127

Springfield, MO (PRTF)

• 1212 W. Lombard St., Springfield, MO 65806

St. James, MO (QRTP)

• 13160 County Road 3610, Highway DD, St. James, MO 65559

Accreditation

The Joint Commission

Sponsors of this Program

Missouri Department of Social Services – Missouri Children’s Division
Missouri Department of Mental Health
Missouri Department of Social Services – Division of Youth Services
Missouri Department of Mental Health
Missouri Alliance for Children and Families
United Way of Greater St. Louis