Torrance State Hospital is committed to provide all persons who have serious mental illness, including those with a co-occurring disorder, the opportunity for growth, recovery, and inclusion in their community. This is provided through evidence and promise-based psychiatric treatment and substance abuse services, access to the supports and services of their choice, so individuals may enjoy a quality of life that facilitates personal growth and achievement.

Values

• The quality of life and inherent worth of the individual
  
• Facilitating hope, healing, and recovery
  
• Being responsive to each individual’s recovery needs
  
• The individual’s need and capacity to be independent
  
• Confidentiality, dignity, and personal integrity for individuals
  
• Being sensitive and responsive to culture, race, ethnic, religious, gender, and sexual orientation differences
  
• Ensuring individual human rights free from discrimination and stigma
  
• The individual’s capacity to grow, thrive, and achieve
  
• Designing comprehensive treatment programs for and with individuals
  
• Focusing on relapse prevention and early intervention
  
• Creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust and a safety partnership
  
• Cooperation with our community providers to promote and sustain recovery
  
• The presence of an empathetic, hopeful, continuous treatment relationship
  
• An environment that supports recovery and personal needs
  
• Implementing evidence and promise-based practices to provide quality services
  

Individuals are generally admitted to TSH from a community in-patient psychiatric hospitalization. If the treating physician at the community hospital determines that the patient requires longer term involuntary psychiatric treatment, a referral is initiated by the appropriate county program office.

Counties served by the Civil program include: Allegheny; Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Green, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland

All employees of TSH are trained to assure that the rights of patients are respected and protected. TSH is committed to assuring that the rights of all patients are protected in compliance with The Bill of Rights and the Manual of Rights for Patients in the PA Code, Title 55. Copies of these rights are provided to patients through the TSH Patient Handbook. Additional copies of the handbook are available to families and others. Other organizational safeguards established to protect patient rights include the Human Rights Committee; Patient Abuse Investigation Board; Performance Improvement/Risk Management Committee; The Ethics Committee and the External Advocate program (via contract with Mental Health America of Southwestern PA).

Patient Programs

Social Rehabilitation Services Contact Information

Referrals to the RFPC occur from 48 counties through the county court system related to individuals with criminal charges who are admitted for competency assessment, competency restoration and/or treatment.  Referrals should be sent to the Court Liaison.

The RFPC Pre-admission Referral form is completed by the referring county and includes the reason for admission, the person's psychiatric, medical and legal status.   A psychiatrist, medical doctor, court liaison, social worker, forensic registered nurse supervisor and Chief Forensic Executive (CFE) complete a review of the referral based on the data sent by the referring county to assess the patient and their needs to determine if those needs can be met at the RFPC. When necessary, additional information is requested.

Phones are provided for patients to make phone calls, provided their right to place calls has not been restricted for therapeutic reasons or legal stipulations outlined in the Court Order.

RFPC Patient Programs/Treatment Modalities

Physical, Psychiatric, Psychological, Social Work and Nursing assessments are completed for every patient admitted to the RFPC. A Comprehensive Individualized Treatment Plan (CITP) is developed that addresses the problems, strengths, and recommendations identified on these assessments and with the input of the patient. Treatment plans are formally reviewed at least every 30 days by the patient's Treatment Team.

Treatment services available to patients at the RFPC include individual therapy, group therapy, psycho-educational programs, milieu therapy, counseling by members of the Treatment Team, Therapeutic Recreation, and various social activities provided by Recreational Therapists, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy when clinically indicated. The RFPC’s competency restoration includes educational groups on legal issues and participating in mock trials.  A balanced diet is provided by Dietary Services for each patient, and specialized diets are available when clinically required. Patients under age 21 are evaluated with regard to their educational needs. Patients with special educational needs are also evaluated and appropriate resources are contacted. Other specialty departments/services are consulted when appropriate to assess and meet the needs of the patient.

On August 14, 2003, Act 21 was enacted into law. The Act mandates that Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services provide mental health and sex-offense specific treatment for an identified population that had been adjudicated of certain sex-related crimes.

The SRTP Program is located in the Wiseman Building.

• Take Interstate Route 76 (PA Turnpike) to Exit 91 - Donegal
• Follow State Route 711 North to Ligonier (approximately 12 miles)
• Take U.S. Route 30 West to State Route 217 North (approximately 8 miles)
• Follow State Route 217 North through the town of Derry; turn right onto Torrance Road  (approximately 10 miles) right.  Follow the road past Entrance No. 1 to the hospital, around a sharp curve (Armory on your left) and you will see a three-story building (Greizman Building) on the left-hand side of the road (1.7 miles) turn left at Entrance No. 2. You may park in the large parking lot and enter the front of the Greizman Building to sign-in with Security.