Joy Ranch is a residential program for children. Our admissions are decided on a case by case basis. We take into consideration the appropriateness of each child for our program by looking at their needs and the availability of space in our cottages. We accept private referrals for long term care.
Joy Ranch has established criteria for the admission of children into the residential program:
- We can accept children ages 5 to 17.
- We can continue to serve these children through the age of 21.
- We accept children with mild to moderate behavioral concerns.
- We will not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, or financial need.
- We serve families in crisis, such as grandparents that can no longer care for their grandchildren, single parents who need support, adoption families in distress, families dealing with incarceration, and other families in need.
Joy Ranch is not structured to support the following:
- Children with a severe mental or physical handicap
- Children who have a consistent history of fire setting
- Children have been charged with a sexual offense
- Children who have been charged with a felony for violent crimes
- Children who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder.
- Children that are actively suicidal or homicidal
- Children that are considered a serious danger to others
- Children that are in need of a secure facility
Joy Ranch accepts referrals from numerous sources which includes, but is not limited to, private agencies, mental health agencies and individuals such as parents, grandparents, and legal guardians.
The Joy Ranch Program
Not Just a Residential Facility.
Relational, supportive, and professional care is provided for children from all over the United States who require placement because of tragedy, abuse, neglect, or other necessitating family distress situations.
Each child that comes to us is considered a part of our family, and our cottages are structured as a safe, loving, Christ-centered home environment. Our children are not considered “clients” at Joy Ranch, but rather are viewed as the newest members in the Joy Ranch family who have been entrusted into our care.
Joy Ranch provides care for children on a year round, 24-hour per day basis through the consistency of our House Parents, rather than shift workers. Each cottage has a primary house parent couple and a relief house parent couple. These couples model a healthy parent relationship for our kids.
Intake Procedure for Admissions
If you would like information about a possible admission to Joy Ranch, please call our Admissions Specialist, Erin Austin, at (276) 236-5578 or by email casemanager@joyranch.org.
The child and parents or guardian must come to Joy Ranch for a pre-placement interview. A completed physical evaluation, including standing orders and TB evaluation must be submitted prior to admission.
Out of state residents must complete an interstate compact form which must be sent to their state and the Virginia interstate compact for approval.