In order to maximize the Division’s capacity to serve youth with the highest level of need, the Division will integrate the programs of the two Southern Nevada facilities, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility- Oasis (PRTF-Oasis) and Residential Treatment Center (RTC) Facility -Desert Willow Treatment Center (DWTC) into one. This will move the existing PRTF-Oasis beds into empty areas of DWTC, and PRTF-Oasis will no longer be in operation.
Following the move, an additional 28 beds will be available in the children’s behavioral health service array in Southern Nevada, as the existing homes at PRTF-Oasis will become available to lease by a community or other provider.
All PRTF referrals will continue to be reviewed for appropriate placement depending on the level of care needed to support the youth’s success.
- PRTF-Enterprise - community based, serves children and youth ages 6 - 17
- PRTF-North – staff-secured, serves youth ages 12 – 17
- DWTC – secured, serves children and youth ages 6 – 17 in residential and 12 – 17 in acute
Benefits of Integration
- Creation of the first child Residential Treatment Center (RTC) in Nevada, including an 8-bed unit for residential care of youth ages 6 to 11 years old.
- Potential to design units for special population, e.g., Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities.
- Ability to reroute state funding to private hospitals serving uninsured acute youth to other community services for uninsured or under-insured children and youth.
- Additional 28 beds will be available in the children’s behavioral health service array in Southern Nevada, as the existing homes at PRTF-Oasis will become available to lease by any interested community provider.
Current Bed Utilization
DWTC has a total of 58 beds, currently 32 beds have assigned staff positions, leaving 26 beds without assigned staff.
The integration of DWTC with PRTF-Oasis will add the assigned staff positions needed to fully utilize the 58-bed facility.
Treatment Services
Residential treatment services include the following services:
- Aggression Replacement Training (ART)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Building Bridges Initiative (BBI)
- Crisis intervention and stabilization
- Psychiatric Care
- Individual, Family and Group Therapies and Behavior Management
- Recreational Therapy
- Psychological evaluation and consultation
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS)
- Secure Facility
- On-Site Learning
- Family Engagement:
- opportunities for community outings
- family passes
- facility special events
Referrals
Youth must meet Medicaid guidelines, summarized in the DCFS PRTF Brochure. Referrals can be made by completing the PRTF Referral Form and emailing it to the Nevada DCFS PRTF Residential Admissions Committee. Availability of services is based on current census, staff capacity, and program capabilities.
Other Residential Placements in Nevada
FAQ's
Q: Where will the youth go that previously qualified for PRTF-Oasis level of care?
A: All PRTF referrals will continue to be reviewed for appropriate placement depending on the level of care needed to support the youth’s success.
Q: What is going to happen to the old PRFT-Oasis location?
A: The existing homes at PRTF-Oasis will become available to lease.
Q: When is the integration happening?
A: By Fall 2021, all current PRTF-Oasis youth who qualify will be transitioned to DWTC as beds become available. Discharge planning is happening for youth who will not going to DWTC.
Q: What is the difference between acute and residential care at Desert Willow Treatment Center?
A: Acute care is for youth at imminent risk of harming themselves or others and is typically a short stay of one week or less. Residential care is a longer-term course of treatment in a therapeutic milieu lasting 90-180 days.
Additional Resources