The Ministerial Family Counseling Program provides financial assistance for confidential counseling and/or spiritual direction services. Clergy of the Virginia Conference, and their immediate family, qualify for this program so long as they are under appointment or on medical leave.
The Board of Ordained Ministry is pleased to support clergy and clergy families by offering funds to assist with paying out of pocket for counseling and/or spiritual direction services.
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Click here to fill out an application for enrollment
Program process and guidelines:
1. Counseling and Spiritual Direction services may be obtained from VIPCare or other providers throughout the state. Program funding is to assist with counselors who are not contracted on the provider panel of the clergyperson’s insurance (i.e. “out of network”). Counseling with counselors who are contracted on the provider panel of the clergyperson’s insurance (“in network”) is not eligible for reimbursement.
2. To enroll in the program and seek reimbursement for out of pocket payments, complete the application form found above or contact VIPCare at 804‐282‐8332. VIPCare administers this program on behalf of the Virginia Conference to provide a layer of confidentiality to those using the program.
3. Reimbursement will be made by VIPCare to the clergyperson upon receipt of a copy of the signed and dated receipt from the provider. The clergyperson is responsible for sending to VIPCare the signed and dated receipt in a timely fashion. Please note that reimbursement will only be made within the calendar year of the dated receipt. December receipts must be received by VIPCare no later than January 5 of the new year.
4. The Ministerial Family Counseling Program reimburses at the rate of $50.00 per session. A maximum of 26 sessions per clergy family per calendar year will be covered.
5. A one time substance abuse evaluation can be reimbursed up to $50.00 upon receipt of a copy of the signed and dated receipt from the qualified provider. This counts as one of the first two sessions if follow‐up counseling is needed.
6. Immediate family of the clergyperson includes the spouse and unmarried dependent children until they reach the age of 19 or until the end of the month in which they reach 25 if enrolled as a full‐time student.
7. Local Pastors under full‐time or part‐time appointment or on medical leave are eligible.
8. A request for exception to these guidelines can be addressed to the Board of Ordained Ministry via [email protected].
For more information, contact the Center for Clergy Excellence at 804‐521‐1140 or [email protected]
Updated 10/2022