Residential Living
Valley Youth House - Lehigh Valley Shelter
Director: Lorrie Reddy
Referrals and Questions: 24 hours a day call 610-691-1200
Address: Valley Youth House, 539 8th Ave. Bethlehem, Pa. 18018
Referral Sources: Youth, parents, county children and youth agencies, teachers, police, and other social service agencies
Eligibility: female and male runaway and homeless youth, abused and neglected youth 12-18 years of age
Exclusions: Acutely suicidal or homicidal youth
Length of stay: generally 1-30 days, but extensions are possible.
Program Description:
The shelter is a twelve-bed facility in a home like building Take Tour. While protecting children from the dangers of the street, counselors attempt to resolve the crisis that precipitated the need for shelter.
An important goal is to assure long term living situations for youth. The shelter provides bedroom facilities, three meals a day, and personal care products and recreation. Individual, group and family counseling, and life skills services aimed at preparing the youth to return home or for an out of home placement. Limited aftercare counseling is available A positive youth development model is utilized to prepare the youth to return home or for an out of home placement. Staff is on duty 24 hours a day. Counseling staff hold bachelors or master’s degrees. The Shelter is located at 539 Eighth Avenue, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18018. Contact Director Lorrie Reddy at 610-691-1200
Valley Youth House – Bucks County RTF
Program Director: Chuck Sipe. MACP
Referrals and Questions: (215) 443-2520 or vyhbucks.grouphome@verizon.net
Address:800 York Road, Building 28, Warminster, PA 18974
Referral Sources:Referrals can come through County Children & Youth, MH/MR or Juvenile Probation. Most referrals come through Magellan following the completion of a CASSP Meeting.
Eligibility: Male or female between the ages of 13 – 17 (18 if still enrolled In school). Must meet Non-JCAHO RTF Level of Care criteria. May not Be actively or acutely suicidal, homicidal, or psychotic. Drug or alcohol Issues cannot be primary issues. Must be able to function in a community -based program.
Length of service: Four to twelve months
Program Description: The Bucks County RTF is a community-based residential program for young people with emotional or mental health issues. The program combines individual, group and family therapy, counseling, recreational programming and a therapeutic milieu to help the youth meet their individualized treatment goals. Residents also meet weekly with our program psychiatrist for evaluation and medication management.
Bucks County Emergency Youth Shelter
Program Director: Chuck Sipe, MACP
Referrals and Questions: (215) 442-9760 or vyhbucks.grouphome@verizon.net
Address: 800 York Road, Building 22, Warminster, PA 18974
Referral Sources: Self-referrals, county child welfare agencies, schools, county juvenile probation departments, hospitals and other social service agencies
Eligibility: Adolescents (12 – 18) who are homeless for any reason may receive services funded by a Runaway and Homeless Youth Act Grant (RHY). RHY youth may not be in the custody of Children & Youth or Juvenile Probation. Children and youth (6-18 years old) may receive services. Children and adolescents ages 6 – 18 who are in the custody of Children & Youth or Juvenile Probation may receive services if the child serving agency authorizes funding. We are not able to serve youth who present with significant drug/alcohol issues or youth who are involuntary. We may not be able to serve youth who exhibit mental health issues if behaviors or symptoms indicate the need for more acute care (e.g. suicidal or homicidal behavior).
Length of service: Up to two weeks for children/adolescents who are not in the custody of C&Y or Juvenile Probation. One to six months for youth who are in the custody of C&Y or JPO
Program Description: The Bucks County Shelter provides nurturing structure, shelter, food and a variety of additional services for youth who are homeless or who are waiting for permanent housing. Our residents often continue to attend their home schools but when that is not possible, we provide a classroom on site that is operated by the IU #22. We provide substantial case management services to help clients meet their healthcare needs. We also offer significant recreational programming and fun activities.
PATHS (Pre-Adolescent Treatment Home Services) Residential Treatment Facility
Program Director: Lorrie Reddy
Referrals and Questions: (610) 706-0799 or vyhpaths@rcn.com
Address:1185 Mosser Road, Breinigsville, PA. 18031 "TAKE TOUR"
Referral Source: Referrals are accepted from JPO, C&Y, and Magellan Behavioral Health.
Eligibility: Males between the ages of 7-12 years of age. Older referrals may be accepted depending on level of functioning as well as the current age population in the program. Youth must present with sexually aggressive/ sexually reactive behaviors.
Exclusions: Assessments will be completed on each referral to determine level of risk due to community involvement and public school attendance. May not be actively suicidal or homicidal. Drug and alcohol issues cannot be primary treatment focus.