Phone: 802.433.6183 Fax: 802.433.1309
Admissions Process
Gaining admission to Second Spring is a process that involves the Vermont State Hospital, each resident’s personal care provider or agency, and the Second Spring Admissions Staff.
In most cases referrals to Second Spring come from the Vermont State Hospital (VSH) located in Waterbury, Vermont. In some cases the admissions process is initiated by a member of (or agency associated with) the medical or psychiatric community.
You will find the entire Admissions Agreement, which governs all admissions to Second Spring, along with information on Second Spring’s policies and procedures at the bottom of the page.
Step one:
Every Monday, a staff member from Second Spring meets with a team of social workers from the VSH to identify clients whom the VSH believes may be potential candidates for the types of living arrangements and recovery programs available at Second Spring. Once identified, these clients and their personal care providers / agencies are given the opportunity to visit Second Spring in order to learn more about its recovery programs, tour the buildings, campus grounds, and facilities, and join other residents for lunch.
This short, initial visit helps potential residents, their care providers/agencies, and the staff at Second Spring determine whether Second Spring would be an appropriate treatment facility.
Step two:
If a potential resident, his or her care provider/agency, and the Second Spring staff agree that Second Spring would be an appropriate treatment facility, the potential resident is invited back for an extended day visit where he/she can join other residents in discussion groups, events, and other planned activities. This allows a potential resident to get a feel for the living environment and lifestyle at Second Spring, and decide whether he or she is ready move forward in the admissions process. In most cases, potential residents will join the staff and other residents for dinner before returning to the VSH or to their care providers.
Step three:
If, after spending a full day at Second Spring, a potential resident decides that he or she would like to move forward in the admissions process, an overnight or weekend visit is arranged. Much like the extended day visit, the potential resident joins the other residents in discussion groups, events, and other planned activities. However, he or she is also free to enjoy personal, unscheduled time alone or with other residents in order to get a feel for residential life at Second Spring. At the end of the overnight or weekend visit, potential residents return to the VSH or to their care providers.
Step four:
If the overnight/weekend visit goes well and all parties agree that Second Spring is an appropriate "next step" for the potential resident, he or she can be fast-tracked for admission into the program. In these cases, a Recovery Plan is developed (see Recovery Plan Process and Philosophy), desired outcomes are discussed, and the potential resident becomes an official resident as soon as a room becomes available.
If the overnight/weekend visit goes well, but there is still some hesitation on the part of the potential resident, his or her care provider / agency, or the Second Spring staff, a more gradual approach to residency can be taken. Under this more gradual approach, potential residents may return for additional shorter stays (2-3 nights) in order to make certain the Second Spring programs and treatment philosophy are right for their specific situations.
If you have additional questions about our Admissions Process, contact Denise Stubbs for more information.