Pathfinder

Our Pathfinder programs provide small-scale, family-like residences for youth facing adversity within the community.

The primary goal of our Pathfinder homes is to reunify children and youth with a family member or caregiver to the benefit of the family as a whole. This isn't a possibility in every case, so VQ concentrates on preparing youth to make a successful transition to independence by helping them overcome past trauma, build ties to their community, and learn necessary life skills for their futures.

Learn MoreProgramsFAQ

Our Pathfinder homes are CARF-accredited and uphold a standard of excellence.

These family-style homes offer youth a place where they can be members of a community and form critical connections.

Our primary goal is to provide a place for youth to feel cared for and respected. Respect, understanding and recognition of individual needs are cornerstones of our Pathfinder programs as many of our youth have experienced significant adversity and trauma. Beyond feeling cared for, however, we also want to give youth the opportunity to move toward a state of independence and self-sufficiency. To that end, our residents are taught life skills and encouraged to see past their current situations to better define and plan their futures. Our Pathfinder homes group together youth from a wide variety of backgrounds and differing situations, but we work with youth to create individualized service plans based on their strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.

During their time with us, we encourage youth to:

Maintain family and community connections

Grow in a positive direction

Practice non violence
and emotional intelligence

Achieve educational
and vocational success

Know their rights and advocate for themselves

Key Qualities

Family Style Living
where youth can learn to be members of a community

Nutritious and Culturally Appropriate Meals and Snacks

Recreational Activities including sports, art and music

Guided Life Skills

Educational Support and Advocacy

Trauma Informed and Individualized care

VQ has operated family-style living homes for youth in the child welfare system since 1973.

VQ believes that congregate care, when operated correctly, can be a valuable tool to help youth who lack support establish permanency goals and work towards achieving them. By being housed together with other youth in similar situations, youth in these programs quickly see the value in the secure attachments that can be made when individuals come together to form a group. Once they leave our programs, we want youth to be able to more easily connect with the communities they find themselves in, be able to establish long-term goals for themselves, and know what to do to achieve them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services are offered to help youth adjust to independent living?

We administer a life-skills assessment when youth enter the program to get a read on each individual’s need and then focus our life skills training based on each individual. We help them with job interviews, connect them with people in the community that assist with helping them find jobs, and lead them to other resources to help them with independent living skills.

Is any assistance provided to youth once they leave the program?

No, but some kids will reach out for assistance and we can connect them with resources if they need additional assistance. We remain as a connection for resources.

What are the primary benefits of a Pathfinder Home?

The main benefit of our Pathfinder Homes is that they are community-based - not only do the youth in these programs learn to exist in a community, but they also gain connections to the larger community beyond the homes. In addition, these programs are very child-centered and our goal is simply to support them in their goals with reunification or independence. We provide services and connect them with services based on what their needs are. Community connections are found for all youth based on what they enjoy.

Have a Question?

Have a question? Let us know.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Sussex RAD

Milford, Delaware

Age

10-17

Gender

Male and Female

This program provides a residential alternative to detention (RAD) for youth who have been arrested but not convicted of a crime. This alternative to incarceration allows residents to remain enrolled in school, participate in sports and leisure activities, and maintain connections with their families and communities, all of which are links that could be broken were they instead incarcerated. The Sussex RAD program provides structured activities, supportive counseling, primary medical and behavioral health services, educational services, recreation, drug and/or alcohol treatment, and family interventions to residents. The program also provides life skills training and transportation to court hearings, school, and other required appointments.

Program Director

Robert Palmer

VQ Living

Luzerne, Pennsylvania

Age

16.5-21

Gender

Both

VQ Living is a supervised independent living program designed to assist adjudicated delinquent or dependent youth in making a successful transition to independent living. To that end, we help youth get involved with their communities, complete their educations, and find employment while providing them with a safe and supportive environment.

Program Director

Jeremy Collins

Morningstar Youth Academy

Woolford, Maryland

Age

13-18

Gender

Male

Morningstar Youth Academy is a 24 bed facility that provides two programs: a 6-9 month residential placement program and a short-term, 90-day program. Both programs provide youth with evidence-based substance abuse treatment services, wellness services, and education.

Program Director

Emma Diaz

7Directions

Tucson, Arizona

Age

5 - 17

Gender

Male and Female

7Directions, is a Pathfinder program that provides assistances to youth in transitioning to more permanent living situations - homes, independent living, foster care, or more appropriate residential programs. With strong staff to serve as role models and a nurturing environment, we help youth in these programs develop life skills that can guide them once they leave our care.

Program Director

Kara Gouveia

7Directions
Tucson, Arizona
Feather
7Directions
Tucson, Arizona
Gender
Male and Female
Age
5 - 17
# of Homes
7

7Directions, is a Pathfinder program that provides assistances to youth in transitioning to more permanent living situations - homes, independent living, foster care, or more appropriate residential programs. With strong staff to serve as role models and a nurturing environment, we help youth in these programs develop life skills that can guide them once they leave our care.

Program Director
Kara Gouveia
Morningstar Youth Academy
Woolford, Maryland
Feather
Morningstar Youth Academy
Woolford, Maryland
Gender
Male
Age
13-18
# of Homes
Phone #
(410) 205-4722

Morningstar Youth Academy is a 24 bed facility that provides two programs: a 6-9 month residential placement program and a short-term, 90-day program. Both programs provide youth with evidence-based substance abuse treatment services, wellness services, and education.

Program Director
Emma Diaz
Sussex RAD
Milford, Delaware
Feather
Sussex RAD
Milford, Delaware
Gender
Male and Female
Age
10-17
# of Homes
1

This program provides a residential alternative to detention (RAD) for youth who have been arrested but not convicted of a crime. This alternative to incarceration allows residents to remain enrolled in school, participate in sports and leisure activities, and maintain connections with their families and communities, all of which are links that could be broken were they instead incarcerated. The Sussex RAD program provides structured activities, supportive counseling, primary medical and behavioral health services, educational services, recreation, drug and/or alcohol treatment, and family interventions to residents. The program also provides life skills training and transportation to court hearings, school, and other required appointments.

Program Director
Robert Palmer
VQ Living
Luzerne, Pennsylvania
Feather
VQ Living
Luzerne, Pennsylvania
Gender
Both
Age
16.5-21
# of Homes
1

VQ Living is a supervised independent living program designed to assist adjudicated delinquent or dependent youth in making a successful transition to independent living. To that end, we help youth get involved with their communities, complete their educations, and find employment while providing them with a safe and supportive environment.

Program Director
Jeremy Collins
Sanctuary certified

VQ IS A TRAUMA-INFORMED SANCTUARY® CERTIFIED ORGANIZATION

BY STATE

Services

Company

Feather

© 2022 VQ   |    (800) 417-0662

VQ Report It

Have a concern or grievance? Our confidential Report It line is continuously monitored by our compliance team to ensure that your issue is dealt with as quickly as possible. If you require a response, you will receive one within 1 business day

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.