Volunteers of America Residential Program Center Arlington

About Volunteers of America Residential Program Center Arlington

Hours of Operation:    
24/7 staffing

The Residential Program Center (RPC) provides three crucial services non-medical detoxification, substance abuse recovery and housing services for single adults experiencing homelessness all under one roof.
Within this unique program, a 12-bed detoxification unit provides social model detoxification services for up to 14 days; a 10-bed
Early Recovery Unit provides intensive post-detoxification treatment services for up to three months; and a 44-bed homeless shelter provides housing-focused case management, education training, job training, referral services, behavioral health treatment services, and 12-step based meetings on-site.
Housed within Arlington County's Department of Human Services, their Diversion and Prevention Services offers linkage to emergency food, financial assistance, housing placement programs, other supportive services to prevent entrance into homelessness, and shelter as a last resort option.
VOAC works closely to engage homeless households on finding the right, most affordable housing options.
VOAC has worked closely with Arlington County and partner agencies to establish the unified shelter standards, taking part in the 1010 line, and is the lead agency for Prevention and Diversion programs.
VOAC offers case management services to all clients and assists with developing an individualized plan to address financial stability, increasing employment, assessing for housing type, and assists with how clients can remain permanently housed.
Facility DescriptionRPC is located in Arlington County at 1554 Columbia Pike conveniently located off of 395 near the Air Force Memorial and the Pentagon.
Persons ServedRPC services are targeted towards adults experiencing homelessness for the Emergency Shelter or for households at-risk of experiencing homelessness for the Diversion/Prevention Services.
Early Recovery and Non-Medical Detoxification services are designed to assist individuals suffering from addiction who desire a clean, safe, and healing environment to overcome the hold of substance abuse.
Services ProvidedRPC is designed to provide supportive services to help each participant to increase and develop self-sufficiency in multiple areas such as housing, substance abuse, and mental health.
Comprehensive case management is of primary importance and a case manager is assigned to each participant and is responsible for providing a comprehensive assessment of needs, ongoing support and coaching, as well as the formulation, implementation and management of an individualized service plans.
Case management efforts are collaborative and client-focused in nature to ensure empowerment of the vulnerable populations they serve.
Housing/Shelter ServicesThe VOAC homeless services team is highly specialized, and assesses each client in the shelter and housing services programs on an ongoing basis.
Each review assesses the services needed by each individual that will help ensure that they are positioned to not only obtain but also maintain permanent housing.
In FY16, VOAC shifted its approach to service delivery to move from a traditional case management approach to a Housing Counselor Certifications and Program.
Housing Counseling is offered to all households and increases the focus of obtaining and maintaining housing.
As a complement to the programming provided, VOAC Housing Counselors work in partnership with the local community to link persons with access to primary care, oral health care, employment, training or educational activities, transportation programs and other resources uniquely required by each household served.
A key piece of the initial client assessment is to identify the mainstream resources already being accessed by individuals while also assisting clients in accessing those services for which they may be eligible but are not currently receiving, such as Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc.
Another critical component of the team is a community case manager (CCM) position which work in the shelter and in the community once an individual finds housing.
The purpose of the CCM is to provide case management to those who have moved into permanent housing, with the goal of maintaining a safe, stable environment.
Assistance with employment, community resources, financial literacy, and life skills are offered to clients as they make the transition from homeless to being a renter.
This position is critical during a client's adjustment into the community and continues with the goals on the Housing Stabilization Plan.
The support and resources that are offered to clients during their first three months of housing can set the course for them to success and maintain a permanent home.
Substance Abuse ServicesThe RPC substance abuse unit consists of two programs including Detox and Early Recovery.
The Detox Unit accepts clients with any alcohol and/or substance abuse problem, as the focus of treatment is alcohol and substance abuse education and support from peers and highly trained counseling staff.
The Detox Unit accepts clients 24 hours a day, and clients can stay up to 14 days (with 10 days being the average length of stay).
Clients normally complete a pre-screening, but walk-ins are accepted if space is available.
The Detox Unit is not a medical facility.
The program uses the social model concept to assist clients in managing their detoxing process. As such, the criteria for admission requires a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) less than .33 or a positive urinalysis screen.


The alcohol and substance abuse program uses best practices as follows:   



Motivational Interviewing an approach to help clients meet their stated needs;  
Co-occurring Capability
working with clients who have both alcohol and substance abuse and mental health issues;   
Stages of Change model,    
Self Help Group Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous;    Acudetox Protocol an acupuncture treatment therapy considered a best practices model in detox services.    

Peer Specialist Program with Arlington County Peer GroupThe focus of the Early Recovery Unit is to help clients embrace the beginnings of sober living by providing intensive residential treatment for a minimum of 90 days.
Early Recovery clients participate in structured activities, family individual and group counseling, education and therapeutic support.
In addition to the sober living concept, the clients are required to either obtain a job or an educational/ learning program while in treatment.
All referrals for this program come via Arlington County Substance Abuse Services.
Acudetox ProgramIn 2013, the Residential Program Center implemented Acudetox, a voluntary acupuncture treatment service for residents of the Detox Unit and Early Recovery Program.
A combine total of 325 clients were served in the substance abuse unit over the past year.
As a result of the Acudetox program clients report an increased feeling of calm and a decreased impulse to use.
Additionally, the staff report when Acudetox is utilized the unit is calmer and the clients are more successful with their treatment program.
Acudetox is offered several times a week.
Currently four staff members are fully trained in providing acupuncture and three employees are in the process of being trained through their monthly training from a Certified Acudetox Specialist.