Residential Services

Wernle Youth & Family Treatment Center offers several distinct residential treatment programs and three levels of care:

  • Open Residential (Transitional Living)
  • Private Secure
  • Staff Secured/Sexually Maladaptive Youth

Wernle employs a strengths-based, trauma-informed model of programming. By recognizing and building on what residents do well (strengths), Wernle is able to use that as a foundation for other behavioral changes. At the same time Wernle recognizes that virtually all adolescents that come to us have experienced some form of trauma; at a minimum, being removed from their homes. For children and youth, unrecognized and untreated trauma can interfere with the ability to change behavioral problems and lead to multiple placement failures.

Our residential services are listed below.

child with hoodie on for Wernle diagnostic evaluations

Diagnostic Evaluations

  • Our Diagnostic Evaluations provide a comprehensive diagnostic and stabilization program for youth 10 to 21 years of age. Admission is targeted for a period of 30 days to provide a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation
  • Referrals accepted 24-hours a day, after 5 pm & on weekends please contact us at 765-966-2506
  • Admitted residents will be placed on a treatment unit appropriate to their age and immediate need
  • Residents will receive all basic services and in addition to psychological testing and evaluation that best meet the diagnostic needs of the youth referred to this service
  • A comprehensive diagnostic report with recommendations will be provided to the referring agency and/or legal guardian, within 30 days of admission.

For admissions please contact:

Wernel private secure facility

Private Secure Males

The Private Secure Males program is designed to meet the needs of male adolescent residents from 10 to 21 years of age. These residents demonstrate the most severe emotional and behavioral issues needing treatment and initially require a highly structured and secure setting. Behaviors requiring this setting often include a high level of aggression, suicidal behavior, and AWOL risk.

The Private Secure Males program is highly structured in order to address this specific population and to meet the safety needs of these residents. The treatment program includes:

  • Individual Therapy and Crisis Intervention
  • Group Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Consultation and medication management with Board-Certified Child Psychiatrist to monitor mental health status and medication needs
  • Psychoeducational Group Learning
  • Physical Fitness
  • Education is provided through Richmond Community Schools. The school program occurs in the residential unit and is provided by teachers specially trained to teach this population.
Maley Hall Wernle facility

Private Secure Females

The Private Secure Females program is designed to meet the needs of female residents from 10 to 21 years of age. These residents demonstrate the most severe emotional and behavioral issues needing treatment and initially require a highly structured and secure setting. Behaviors requiring this setting often include highly aggressive, suicidal, and AWOL risk. This treatment unit is secured with a magnetic lock system to provide residents with the highest level of security. The Private Secure Females program is highly structured in order to address this specific population and to meet the safety needs of these residents. The treatment program includes:

  • Individual Therapy and crises intervention
  • Group Therapies
  • Family Therapy
  • Consultation and medication management with Board-Certified Child Psychiatrist to monitor mental health status and medication needs
  • Psychoeducational Group Learning
  • Therapeutic Recreation
  • Physical Fitness
  • Education is provided through Richmond Community Schools. The school program occurs in the residential unit and is provided by teachers specially trained to teach this population.
Maley Hall Wernle facility

G.R.I.T.

The Girls Residential Intensive Treatment (G.R.I.T.) program provides structured, concentrated therapeutic services for adolescent females between the ages of 10 and 21 with complex behavioral, psychological and learning challenges who would otherwise be at risk in a less closely supervised residential environment. Wernle’s GRIT program is housed in the Wernle Private Secure Females unit in a separate 2-bed area of the building. A child-to-staff ratio of 1:1 allows Wernle to provide intensive treatment while maintaining a high level of safety.

gordon hall wernel facility
Staff facilities at Wernle

Staff Secure Males

The Staff Secure Males program is designed to meet the treatment needs of residents with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances between the ages of 10 and 21. Residents placed in this treatment program present a less significant risk of self-harm, aggression, or AWOL risk. A higher staff to resident ratio provides a more open but highly secure treatment setting. Staff members provide close supervision and security and are trained in therapeutic de-escalation techniques.

The Staff Secure Males program is highly structured to best ensure significant progress in treatment for this at-risk population. The treatment milieu includes:

  • Individual Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Consultation and medication management with Board-Certified Child Psychiatrist to monitor mental health status and medication needs
  • Psychoeducational Group Learning
  • Physical Fitness
  • Educational opportunities are provided through Richmond Community Schools. Residents attend school off-grounds at the Richmond Alternative School. Depending upon a resident’s level of progress, they may be able to attend open public school
Sharpe Hall Wernle

Sexually Maladaptive

The Sexually Maladaptive program is designed to meet the treatment needs of adolescents with sexually maladaptive behavior. This is a specialized program that is able to address the specific treatment needs of youth who exhibit this constellation of behaviors. After completing this program, youth may transition to a less-restrictive program that provides them independent living skills.

This program is highly structured and includes a complete curriculum for youth with sexually maladaptive disorders. Treatment includes:

  • Individual Therapy addressing sexually maladaptive behaviors as well as the significant emotional issues the resident experiences
  • Family Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Victim clarification when appropriate
  • Development and understanding of their offense cycle
  • Consultation and medication management with Board-Certified Child Psychiatrist to monitor mental health status and medication needs
  • Psychoeducational Group Learning
  • Educational opportunities are provided through Richmond Community Schools. Residents attend school off-grounds at the Richmond Alternative School. Depending upon a resident’s level of progress, they may be able to attend open public school
transitional living at Wernle

Transitional Living

Wernle provides a Transitional Living experience for adolescent residents 16 to 21 years of age. The residents maintain regular contact with the local community through their educational needs, employment, and structured campus and off-campus activities. Wernle provides a full complement of therapeutic and psychiatric services which include:

  • A program requirement is that the resident will secure and maintain employment (if age appropriate).
  • Individual Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Consultation and medication management with Board-Certified Child Psychiatrist to monitor mental health status and medication needs
  • Psychoeducational Group Learning
  • Advanced Activities of Daily Living that includes budget management and savings, shopping and self-care, employment skill training including the development of job interviewing skills and completing employment applications
  • Educational Opportunities with Richmond Community Schools: Residents are provided with a number of opportunities to meet or complete their educational needs. Residents are typically enrolled in the Richmond Community School System. As students, they have access to the full array of educational services and curriculums where credits can be earned, recovered and degrees attained, including GED preparation and testing
  • Residents who have completed their high school program or equivalency and wish to pursue a higher educational degree or vocational training are eligible to apply for and receive a Wernle endowed scholarship to defray their educational expenses.
  • Residents who have successfully completed treatment in any Wernle treatment program and have been discharged are always eligible to apply for an endowed scholarship to pursue their higher educational or vocational goals.

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