July 15, 2013

Virginia Treatment Center for Children - Frequently Asked Questions

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1.  What is the Virginia Treatment Center for Children?

Established in the early 1960s, the Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC) is the pediatric division of VCU Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry, and one part of the comprehensive array of services offered by Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR).  VTCC has a three-part mission:

  • Clinical care – providing inpatient and outpatient treatment for children and adolescents, with a wide array of behavioral health issues, and their families
  • Research – creating better ways to prevent and treat mental illnesses
  • Teaching – training tomorrow’s mental health professionals—including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, counselors

2.  Why is a new facility needed?  

A recent report by Voices for Virginia’s Children shows that between 85,000 and 104,000 children and adolescents in the Commonwealth are in need of mental health treatment. At times, children who require inpatient care—those with the most severe problems—cannot be admitted due to a shortage of beds.  The new facility will provide additional beds for inpatient care as well as expanded outpatient capacity.

The current VTCC facility, located on VCU Medical Center’s downtown campus, was built more than 50 years ago and is out-of-date, inadequate and lacking in “greenspace.”  The new facility will not only be safe and appropriate, it also will be reflective of a state-of-the-art therapeutic environment for children and families. 

3.  Who will this facility serve?

VTCC provides services for children and adolescents with mental health issues ranging from depression and ADD/ADHD to anxiety, autism spectrum disorder and behavioral problems at home and school.  Last year, VTCC had approximately 750 inpatient admissions for children between the ages of 3 and 17, and our clinicians had more than 6,000 outpatient visits. Children served by VTCC come from across Virginia—with more than one-half coming from outside the greater Richmond area. With telemedicine programs our physicians can reach pediatricians as far as Southwest Virginia. 

4.  What services and programs will be offered?

VTCC offers crisis stabilization, evaluation and short-term treatment on an inpatient basis. Outpatient services include evaluation, medication management and therapy for the children with mental health issues and their families. The new facility will allow VTCC to develop new programs and services to better meet the needs of Virginia’s families. 

5.  Where will the new VTCC be located?

The preferred location for the new VTCC facility is the Brook Road campus of Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, pending any issues such as zoning.  This site would provide families with easy access to both inpatient and outpatient services.  Placing VTCC on the same campus with other CHoR services is consistent with our philosophy of delivering integrated care for the whole child.

6.  How does the new facility for VTCC fit in VCU Medical Center’s plans for a  freestanding children’s hospital?

VCU is committed to addressing the full spectrum of healthcare needs for children—including mental health—and to continued development of the Brook Road campus.  We are just beginning the planning process for the freestanding children’s hospital, but the Brook Road campus will be considered as a possible location.

7.  What is the timeline for the new facility? 

VCU Health System will submit the Certificate of Public Need (COPN) application in early September.  Once approval has been received from the state, planning and construction will take approximately three years to complete.  VTCC will continue to offer services throughout the construction period.

8.  Will there be a traffic impact in the neighborhood? 

A study will be completed to evaluate the environmental impact of the new facility, including the impact on traffic and parking.  Every effort will be made to mitigate any effects on the neighborhood throughout the construction period and once the new facility opens.

9.  Will there be a positive impact on our neighborhood?

For nearly 100 years, the Northside community has embraced and supported the Children’s Hospital and its mission—and we look forward to many more years of being a “good neighbor.”  In that spirit, we look forward to working with the neighborhood associations and other organizations seeking out opportunities for collaboration, partnership and community improvements.

10.  Will there be any safety concerns?

VTCC has an extraordinary safety record for caring for children for more than 50 years and sets the standard for care nationally with its policies, procedures and model of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS).

11.  What will happen to the old VTCC facility? 

The property where the current VTCC facility is located will most likely be used for services that need to be on the campus of VCU Medical Center.

12.  What can I do to support the new VTCC?

There are many ways to get involved—and become part of VTCC’s caring community for children:

  • Advocate – speak out and help us dispel the stigma associated with mental illness
  • Volunteer – Join the VTCC Advisory Council or become a Friend of VTCC
  • Donate – There are many needs above and beyond the bricks and mortar of a new VTCC facility, including staffing, research and direct support for families with limited resources


If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact: