Apply for a Placement
To begin the process of placement, please download and complete the following application with as much information as possible.
Please note that placement must be completed by the parent or guardian with custody of the potential resident.
After completing the form, Miller Home staff will review and provide guidance on placement.
Admissions Information
Admission Criteria
Females ages 4-17 years old
Will benefit from a structured setting to promote stability
Able to demonstrate reasoning, learning, and problem solving skills appropriate for a group home setting.
Able to attend full-time public school or equivalent program
Able to perform daily self-care tasks
Willingness to participate in counseling and case management services
Exclusionary Criteria
18+ years old
Pose a significant risk to themselves or other residents or staff.
Actively psychotic, substance dependent, drug addicted, or pregnant.
Actively suicidal or homicidal.
Currently in need of a secure facility.
History of consistent criminal, delinquent, aggressive, or violent behavior.*
*Residents with a prior history of criminal, delinquent, or violent acts may be considered based on actions and positive progress since the last incident of such behavior. If admitted, there will be a probation period where discharge will occur at the first sign of violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Placement must be made by individuals or agencies with the authority to place the child and sign paperwork entrusting the child to the care of Miller Home. Referrals may be made by counselors, psychiatrists, case managers, and other care providers. Most placements are private placements by biological or adoptive parents/guardians.
Custody & Entrustment
When a resident is signed into the Miller Home program, custody remains with the parent or guardian. Miller Home accepts "entrustment" meaning the staff can act as the guardian and sign documents, accompany a resident to appointments, and make decisions regarding the resident's care.
Case-by-Case Evaluation
Residents seeking placement at Miller Home are considered on a case-by-case basis based on their individual situations as well as the current population of Miller Home. Most residents are unable to live with their family due to behavioral, emotional, and/or mental health issues. Many have experienced past trauma and require the safe, structured, and supportive environment Miller Home offers.
Behavior Adjustment without Loss of Parental Rights
Residents and their families seek placement at Miller Home where behaviors are addressed through an out of home placement without the loss of custody and parental rights. Miller Home seeks to help in situations such as families in distress, families working with DSS, adoptive families with challenges, grandparents that can no longer care for their grandchildren, and other situations in which support is needed.
Location
Miller Home for Girls is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Referrals of our children most often come from Central Virginia but we are willing to look at placement from other regions as long as proximity is considered if the goal of placement is family reunification.
Length of Stay
An average placement time for a resident to complete the phases of Miller Home program is approximately one year. However, the length of stay is determined based on the family situation, resident's progress, and goal of placement. A resident is welcome to stay at Miller Home for as long as needed as long as she adheres to the program guidelines and participates in services.
Cost
Cost of care for residents is determined by a sliding scale based on income. Miller Home encourages families to invest in the care of their resident, but is willing to work with each family to meet their needs. No girl will be turned away due to inability to pay for placement.
Education
Residents attend Lynchburg City Public Schools. If a resident is unable to attend Lynchburg City Schools, arrangements may be made for them to attend an equivalent educational program.
Independent Living Program
At times, a resident and her family decide she should remain at Miller Home after completing the program phases. At this point, if reunification is not an option, the resident's goal of placement changes to building life skills in preparation for adulthood. A resident may stay at Miller Home until she is 21 years old as long as she adheres to program guidelines.
How Do I Know?
If you are unsure if Miller Home can meet the needs of a potential resident or have questions about our placement criteria, let us know! Miller Home strives to consider each resident for placement and provide referrals to other options if placement cannot be pursued with us. Contact Program Director, Morgan Kane during normal business hours or fill out the Referral Form.