Maryland
VQ has worked with the state of Maryland for 21 years to help youth overcome adverse situations and create communities with stronger relational ties and happier members.
VisionQuest took over the existing Morning Star Youth Academy in 2005. Morning Star Youth Academy is a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) certified and Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP).
Morning Star Youth Academy
Morning Star Youth Academy is a 24 bed facility that provides 6-9 month residential programming. Youth receive substance abuse treatment services, relapse prevention, mental health and individual therapy, family counseling, health and wellness and medication management. The target population is young men ages 14-18 years old, who may also exhibit behavioral and psychosocial concerns. The program is trauma based and addresses both the current presenting problems of the youth along with the underlying issues that have led to their problematic behaviors. The goal is to assist youth onto a more positive, pro-social path that will lead to maturation into successful adulthood and reduce recidivism in the juvenile justice system.

Our features:
Seven Challenges
The Seven Challenges program is a comprehensive counseling program for adolescents with substance abuse problems. It is the only evidence-supported substance abuse model that is designed specifically and solely for adolescents. It is listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) and is well suited for work with youth in the juvenile services system, having been widely used in the community and in secure facilities all across the country. It is a program to help youth realistically and holistically confront their drug and co-occurring problems so that they can live meaningful and socially productive lives.
The Seven Challenges program is fundamentally different from mainstream approaches to drug treatment that engages in the “mad rush for abstinence.” When counselors are solely focused on trying to force youth to immediately abstain from drugs, youth typically lie or resist and fight back. When the counseling narrowly focuses on the drug-use behavior without fully addressing the issues and needs that motivate the behavior, young people who try to quit often fail.
Therefore, the Seven Challenges program starts where youth are “at,” not where counselors wish they would be or where they might pretend to be. While each challenge does not have a structured length of time, youth are actively guided through each challenge by staff so that they can successfully complete as many of the challenges as possible while in the program.
Education
VisionQuest provides quality onsite year round educational services to youth. We offer educational services to Grades 9 through 12. The program’s education services are provided on-site by the local school district. Youth also receive Life Skills, Individual mental health and substance abuse therapy and mental health and substance abuse groups. If the need is identified, medication management and wrap around services will also be offered. Additionally, each youth will be given the opportunity to participate in activities to earn service learning hours, attend field trips, obtain vocational instruction and participate in physical sports and conditioning activities.
The school day begins with a group circle with the students, educator, and support staff, all setting goals for the day. Students are then broken into classes based on their schedule and individual needs. Students with active IEPs are not accepted into our programs. Classrooms provide an environment similar to a regular comprehensive high school where students move between classrooms depending on their schedule.
Trauma Informed Care
Program services occur in a trauma-informed setting. The program culture has a clear and structured methodology for creating or changing an organizational culture. The purpose is to increase the emotional intelligence of both youth and staff to create a safer environment for youth to participate in the program.
The program utilizes the Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) model. This is a holistic approach that is multi-disciplinary, flexible, attachment-centered, and challenging. It is an evidence-based, trauma-informed intervention that is specifically designed for children who come from hard places, such as maltreatment, abuse, neglect, multiple home placements, and violence. TBRI® consists of three sets of harmonious principles: Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting Principles. Utilizing TBRI, staff is able to build rapport with youth to minimize conflict and the resurgence of negative behaviors related to traumatic experiences.
Extraordinary Experiences

To provide a well-rounded experience and to allow youth to “give-back”, community service projects are planned. Such activities include, but are not limited to: volunteer opportunities through the local YMCA, Meals Til Monday, One Mission, American Legion, Ironman Maryland, Eagleman, local food pantries and Rotary. Staff utilize existing relationships with local churches, nursing homes, YMCAs, the police department, and libraries for meaningful projects. All activities represent meaningful community service options that focus on restoration and revitalization, are visible and valuable, and enable the youth to build meaningful relationships. They take into account the strengths, interests, and skills of the youth to increase their competencies.











Our Leadership

Emma Diaz
Executive Director
emma.diaz@vq.com
(443) 521-4512

Kristine Nossick
Certified Program Administrator
kristine.nossick@vq.com

Ashley Conway-Benson
Certified Addictions Counselor
ashley.conway-benson@vq.com

Karli Adkins
Case Manager
karli.adkins@vq.com

Zach Ilczuk
Case Manager
zachary.ilczuk@vq.com

Connie Ewing
Lead Teacher
connie.ewing@vq.com

Amy Sareen
Program Nurse
amy.sareen@vq.com

Shelly Blake
HR/Business Manager
shelly.blake@vq.com
Age
Gender
The Parenting Education Program supports families and communities by teaching, modeling, and strengthening effective parenting skills through evidence-based, strength-based, and trauma-informed care. Designed for families with children from infancy to age 18 who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, conflict, or instability, the program offers short-term, intensive family and home-based interventions. Staff act as community liaisons, connecting families to essential services and supporting their progress. With a focus on preserving family unity, ensuring children’s safety, and reducing out-of-home placements, the program empowers parents to make better choices and create stable, nurturing environments for their children.
Age
6 - 16
Gender
Males & Females
The VisionQuest Truancy Program supports children, youth, and families in Luzerne County by addressing school attendance challenges through three distinct models: Check and Connect, The PASS Program, and the Truancy Ongoing Program. Designed for K-12 students, the program helps eliminate barriers to school attendance, fostering pathways to graduation. Families and students may transition between models as needed, guided by a multidisciplinary team. The Truancy Ongoing Program provides additional support for families facing complex issues such as behavior or mental health concerns, substance use, or parent/child conflict, with staff offering weekly check-ins, court testimony, and detailed reporting to county agencies.
Age
Gender
The FFT program provides specialized, family-focused treatment for youth aged 11-18 and their families, utilizing a strength-based, relational approach where all members feel respected and heard. Referrals often come from agencies like Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, and Mental/Behavioral Health. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) aims to engage and motivate families, reduce risk factors, enhance protective factors, and create sustainable behavior change through individualized plans. The program fosters positive relationships and equips families with the tools to utilize community resources, promoting long-term success and well-being.
Age
Gender
The DE Umbrella Program provides comprehensive, statewide services for justice-involved youth aged 10-19 and their families. Services include Pre-Trial Case Management, Accountability (curfew/surveillance), Mentoring, and community-based interventions tailored to each youth’s criminogenic needs. Committed to fostering recovery, growth, and independence, the program equips youth with skills for successful adaptation to home, school, work, and community life. Guided by values of care, integrity, and dedication, the DE Umbrella Program works to reduce the likelihood of criminality and incarceration, empowering youth and families to build fulfilling, competency-driven futures.
Age
16-24
Gender
Males and Females
The Supervised Independent Living (SIL) program provides safe and supportive housing for males and females aged 16 to 24 who are homeless or cannot live safely with parents or guardians. Each participant receives a furnished one- or two-bedroom apartment, with costs for rent, utilities, and a security deposit covered by the program, along with a weekly allowance. Through individualized case management, life skills training, and goal-setting, the program helps youth achieve self-sufficiency by pursuing education, securing employment, and mastering essential life skills. SIL focuses on leveraging familial and community strengths to support a successful transition to independent living and long-term stability.
Age
11-17
Gender
The Outreach Prevention Program provides evidence-based services for youth aged 11-17 referred by Juvenile Probation and Children and Youth Services. By working directly with adolescents and their families in homes and schools, the program addresses issues identified through assessments and case plans, focusing on parenting, career guidance, and resource coordination. Parents are actively involved, and the program empowers families with strategies, skills, and knowledge to promote positive lifestyle choices, reduce out-of-home placements, and prevent further involvement with juvenile probation or child welfare systems. The goal is to help youth become positive, contributing members of their communities.
Age
Gender
The Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) program is an innovative, trauma-informed approach designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children and youth up to 18 years old. Developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, TBRI® focuses on connection, empowerment, and correction to address physical needs, attachment challenges, and fear-based behaviors. Rooted in attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, TBRI® equips caregivers, parents, and educators with practical tools to understand and nurture the “whole child.” By fostering trust and addressing the impact of early adversity, trauma, or toxic stress, the program aims to rebuild family bonds and help children reach their full potential.
Age
Gender
VisionQuest’s Community-Based Prevention Program supports families and communities by addressing educational, medical, social, and emotional needs while enhancing parental involvement and family well-being. Designed to prevent child abuse, neglect, and family dependency on child welfare or juvenile probation services, the program provides advocacy, family support, and referrals to community resources. It also assists families experiencing homelessness or eviction in finding appropriate housing within their local community. By fostering collaborative relationships with schools and community partners, the program helps families build skills, expand social networks, and reduce risk factors, ensuring the safety and well-being of children and families.
Age
Gender
The Nurturing Parenting Education Program provides parenting education to parents of all ages who need support in developing effective caregiving skills. With a focus on respect and understanding, the program treats all parents equally, regardless of their reason for involvement. By equipping parents with the tools and knowledge to become the best caregivers possible, the program promotes the well-being and best interests of their children.
Mike Vergaretti
Our Locations
















