Centra, Mental Health Services

Centra Rivermont Schools

Vision

Our vision is to provide a safe and accepting learning environment based on a community centered approach. Attention is given to individualized instruction, behavior management, interpersonal skills, family involvement, and community and social awareness so as to maximize individual student success now and in the future.

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Purpose

To address the emotional and learning difficulties which have hindered students from success in traditional academic and social environments as well as to provide learning opportunities specifically tailored to the educational and emotional needs of each student.

For our eight locations and contact information for each location, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

Since 1986, Centra Rivermont Schools have served children with severe emotional and behavioral disabilities, and several years ago began providing autism services. With 8 campuses across Virginia, Centra Rivermont Schools offer a special education program for children with special needs, ages 5 through 21, who have difficulty learning in a regular school setting. We help children learn to manage their behaviors so they can return to regular school, graduate and become productive citizens.

At Centra Rivermont Schools, we give our students a chance to experience success in a school setting. Our therapeutic environment teaches students to rely on their personal strengths for resolving problems, building self-esteem and gaining confidence. One of our primary goals is to teach children how to make wise choices and live productively within their communities.

Centra Autism Program

In 2010, Centra Autism Program (CAP) was established in four Centra Rivermont Schools (campuses in Danville, Roanoke, Virginia Beach and Lexington), with additional programs to open soon. For additional information, please click here.

Preschool is now available at the Roanoke campus only for children as young as 2 diagnosed with autism.

To print a brochure, please click here or on the image to the right.

Our Students

Centra Rivermont Schools are licensed and staff are trained to serve students with emotional, behavioral, learning and developmental disabilities including autism, mental retardation and traumatic brain injury. Classes are small -- no more than 10 students -- providing children with ample opportunities for individualized instruction.

"Improving quality while solving problems," from Mental Health Matters, December 2010 (pdf download).

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Our Curriculum

At Centra Rivermont Schools, our curriculum focuses on:

• The teaching and learning experience.
• Social skills development.
• Individual and group counseling.
• Family support.
• Pre-vocational training.
• Positive behavior reinforcement.
• Appropriate adult role models.

We were one of the first special education programs in Virginia to develop the co-teaching method, which remains the centerpiece of our teaching and learning model. We team academic teachers with mental health counselors within each classroom the entire school day. We follow each child's Individualized Education Plan (I.E.P.) designed to meet their specific needs.

"Demystifying Autism," from Mental Health Matters, October 2010 (pdf download).

Our Treatment Team

• Board certified behavior analysts
• Certified special education teachers
• Mental health counselors
• Licensed professional counselors
• Speech, occupational and physical therapists
• School administrators

Accreditation and Licensing

Centra Rivermont Schools are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education. All class credits earned are fully transferable. All Centra Rivermont Schools are fully accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

How To Refer

Students are referred to Centra Rivermont Schools through public school systems' special education departments in conjunction with Community Policy and Management Teams (CPMT) and Family Assessment and Planning Teams (FAPT).  To download a Centra Rivermont School Application and Referral Packet, please click here for a pdf version (right click on the pdf to save or print) and here for a Word document (.doc) download.  

To contact the principal of a particular school, please scroll down the page for the list of locations and contact information.  The email address for the principal of each school is provided. For additional information, please contact Lloyd Tannenbaum, Ed.D., Director of Centra Rivermont Schools, at 434.942.9638, 434.200.6567 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Fax to 434.200.4449.

Centra Rivermont Schools Are Growing!

Would you like to grow with us? Would a Centra Rivermont School be a valuable resource in your community?

We are always available to discuss the possibility of opening a Centra Rivermont School in your locality. For more information, please contact Dr. Lloyd Tannenbaum.

Emergency Preparedness Plan

Locations and Contact Information