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CLINICAL SERVICES

Clinical Services

The Clinical Services Department is responsible for providing administrative direction for the delivery of clinical services by social workers, psychologists, speech and hearing therapists, therapeutic recreation specialists, vocational and day support specialists and public relations staff.

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Psychology Services

The staff of Psychological Services at NVTC include professionals licensed in Clinical Psychology, Applied Psychology, and Professional Counseling, as well as Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Working primarily from a behavior analytic standpoint, Psychological Services staff conduct functional assessments and functional analyses of problematic behaviors; conduct similar analyses of behaviors that are strengths; and based on these analyses and input from consumers and families, develop treatment and training procedures that address problematic behaviors and teach functional skills. Behavioral treatment program development is available for clients served as inpatients. Behavioral consultation is available for those served as outpatients. Additional services include psychological evaluation individual, group and family counseling and consultation; program evaluation, and preference assessment. See more detail about Psychology Services.

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Therapeutic Recreation Services

Therapeutic Recreation Services facilitates the development, maintenance and expression of an appropriate leisure lifestyle for clients with special needs. Recreational programs and activities are adapted to allow each client to participate. Emphasis is placed on social as well as physical activities. Therapeutic Recreation services provided include opportunities to participate in activities such as: Aquatics, Individual Leisure Skill Training, Sensory Intervention, Community Awareness and Integration, Food Preparation, Social Skills Training, Motor Skills Development, Fitness/Flexibility and Strength Training, Sports Skill Training, Relaxation, Leisure Education/Awareness, Music, Art and Nature Programs. Therapeutic Recreation at NVTC is a broad-based service, which interfaces with other disciplines. Our services focus on the acquisition, development and refinement of skills in the physical, cognitive and social/emotional domains. The focus of service varies for each individual based on his or her needs, interests and abilities. The T.R. Department has a well-established Therapeutic Recreation Internship Program, which meets all the conditions set forth by the National Council for T.R. Certification. See more detail about Therapeutic Recreation Services.

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Multi-Sensory Environment

The primary multi-sensory room is a specially designed environment where clients can access a wide variety of sensory experiences that may not be readily available to them in their normal daily routine. The innovative equipment used in the room is designed specifically for individuals with learning and sensory deficits. This primary multi-sensory room was NVTC’s first large-scale sensory environment project and was made possible through grant monies provided through KOVAR and UNITED WAY. The primary multi-sensory room opened in March of 1997, and since that time, satellite sensory sites have been planned and built on several of the residential buildings. The primary site, located in Building 12, is often utilized as a location for assessment and preference identification. The philosophy for the use of the multi-sensory environment focuses on supporting as much self-directed interaction as much as possible, with the therapist acting as a facilitator. The various types of sensory equipment available in the room provide visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, vestibular, and proprioceptive input to the clients. The environment can be utilized for pure leisure or for more specific types of individualized therapy. Due to the success of these environments, measured by the improvement of the clients’ skills and their obvious enjoyment, NVTC expects further development of multi-sensory areas. The primary multi-sensory environment is managed by NVTC’s Therapeutic Recreation Department and planning and programming occurs in conjunction with NVTC’s Occupational Therapy Department.

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Instructional Kitchen

The Instructional Kitchen, located in Building 12, is used on a daily basis to teach clients basic cooking and food preparation skills, and to provide opportunities to socialize, and practice dining etiquette. The overall goal is to facilitate increased independence and choice making. The Instructional Kitchen experiences are especially useful for clients who will soon be moving into group homes in the community. Several clients help to plan menus and assist with purchasing the groceries. Working as a team to prepare a wonderful dining experience can be extremely rewarding.  See more detail about Instructional Kitchen.

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Gymnasium/Pool

An on-campus, full sized multi-purpose Gymnasium is available to the clients. Activities are planned throughout the day. The gymnasium is used for structured evening programs, and special events on selected evenings, weekends and holidays. The Gymnasium is managed by the NVTC Therapeutic Recreation Department, and offers locker rooms and shower facilities for clients and staff, a weight/exercise room, a pool, full sized adjustable basketball backboards and hoops, a fleet of adult tricycles, and a variety of adapted physical education and recreational equipment. Supervisors of residential units may reserve the Gymnasium for special functions such as holiday parties for their clients. The Gymnasium is also used for NVTC seminars, staff appreciation events, NVTC Parents & Associates meetings, approved group home programs, and other special events.

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Speech and Hearing Services

Speech and Hearing Services is a fully credentialed team consisting of Speech-Language Pathologists with the goal of providing person-centered communication support to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Audiological Services include diagnostic evaluation tailored to the special needs population, prescription of personal hearing aids and assistive devices, and habilitation. Speech-language communication services include diagnostic evaluation, prescription/implementation of communication supports, therapeutic trials with a variety of augmentative and assistive equipment (AAC), and training of support personnel. All services are integrated with other specified clinical, residential, educational, vocational and/or health interventions. See more detail about Speech & Hearing Services.

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Vocational Services

NVTC provides vocational supports to the clients to foster appropriate work place behaviors and achievement of valuable and rewarding jobs. Clients receive support and training on campus and in the surrounding community. Campus work tasks include a variety of recycling activities such as processing beverage cans, cardboard collection, car cleaning, collating and assembling items under contract with other organizations and silverware processing.  See more detail about Vocational Services.

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Social Services

The Social Worker is the chairperson of the interdisciplinary team. They are responsible for quality assurance and clinical coordination of the clients’ Individualized Habilitation Plans. To assure necessary person centered planning for each individual, the social worker acts as the liaison for the Center to facilitate positive communication with the non-facility members of the client’s team. These liaison responsibilities include families, Community Service Boards, schools and vocational programs. See more detail about Social Services.

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Volunteer Services/Public Relations

NVTC’S Volunteer Services Department develops, executes and manages positive collaborative working relationships with the community, volunteers, families and friends in a manner that results in needed services and resources that affect the quality of life for the men and women who live at the Center. This Department coordinates volunteer activities, and arranges solicitation efforts for items and services that are not provided by the State, and accepts donations for the Center.

Within the Department of Volunteer Services, NVTC staffs its own Tailor-Designer. In conjunction with the Center’s clinical staff, departments and individuals who need supports, the Tailor makes observations drawing knowledge from interactions with individual likes and dislikes, and develops adaptive clothing and needed accessories to fit the need and the individual.

Giant/Safeway Bonus Bucks Program

Special Events Brochure

Pictures of the 2009 Volunteer Appreciation Open House

For more information about how you can volunteer for the Center, please call 703.323.4078 or 4079 and visit the Volunteer Opportunities page.

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