The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Bureau for Children and Families (BCF) is broadening the continuum of services for youth ages 12-21 in the legal custody of DHHR through Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP). As part of West Virginia’s implementation of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act, DHHR announced a request for applications for agencies to implement the intensive residential behavioral health model across the state.
West Virginia’s QRTP facilities will target youth who require an intensive, non-family residential setting and who have traditionally been served in out-of-state facilities. These youth have demonstrated an inability to function in foster homes or less restrictive forms of residential care due to significant lack of behavioral control and have been diagnosed with one or more significant behavioral, intellectual, developmental, and/or emotional disorder.
“Through the Qualified Residential Treatment Programs model, DHHR and its partners will have a greater ability to provide the appropriate level of care in the least restrictive setting, with a focus on meeting behavioral health goals,” said Linda Watts, BCF Commissioner. “The request for applications strategy aligns with the Bureau’s need to contain compliance and financial risk to the State if the federal QRTP requirements are not met.”
BCF will be soliciting applications from West Virginia-licensed residential child care and treatment providers to convert existing residential treatment beds (up to 100 in total) for the development and delivery of intensive residential behavioral health and six-month aftercare services. Approximately 25 beds will be allotted to each of the Bureau’s
four regions. Start-up grants will be available to each QRTP organization, as well as an enhanced daily per diem. No applications for new bed development will be accepted.
QRTPs are limited to agencies with residential child care and deemed behavioral health licenses. Initial grants to lay the foundation for this model will facilitate any needed recruitment of staff and development of specific programming.
Agencies wishing to submit applications must submit a Letter of Intent to Apply by May 8, 2019. Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on May 17, 2019. Visit
dhhr.wv.gov/bcf for more information.