FAQS

Residential Treatment versus Inpatient Hospitalization

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities are a step down from inpatient psychiatric treatment. Inpatient hospitals help teenagers who need immediate (short-term) crisis intervention and may be struggling with extreme behavioral issues, self-harm, or suicidal ideation while psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTF’s) offer more long-term (several months to a year or more depending on the response to treatment) help for teens to practice incorporating healthier coping mechanisms into their everyday life. In PRTF’s groups and therapy sessions are spread throughout the week and there are more opportunities to socialize and participate in recreational activities. 

Who can refer a child?

Parents, legal guardians, clinical providers, case management agencies, hospitals, and insurance companies can refer a child to our program with a Psychiatric Evaluation recommending RTF as medically necessary. Our admissions staff works closely with everyone involved to determine if a youth will benefit from our Residential Treatment services. Prospective youth are interviewed.  We do not accept emergency placements.

What insurance do you accept?

We will work with most commercial insurance plans if:

• the insurance plan authorizes RTF

• there is secondary insurance (medical assistance)

• the behavioral health MCO authorizes RTF

How long will I wait for an admission decision?

Typically, our staff can make a determination within several business days. Working with Medicaid for approval may take longer. Our staff has relationships with many county case management/mental health agencies, who understand the level of care we offer and can assist with the process. The time-frame may be impacted by incomplete submission of referral information and scheduling conflicts beyond our control.

What are some diagnoses that make a child appropriate for CHOR?

We accept children with a wide range of mental health diagnoses including mood and anxiety disorders.  Common diagnoses include ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, attachment disorder, and depression.  Depending on functional abilities, some youth may not be appropriate.

How can I stay connected with my child while in treatment?

Family therapy is a vital part of our treatment program. Parents may visit the campus, call to speak with their child and participate in family leaves. Parents work with the assigned clinicians and case managers to schedule family therapy, calls, visits, and leave.

What can I bring or send my child while in treatment?

We provide a parent handbook, which details what children can have while on campus. Please check with your child’s clinician or case manager if you have questions.

How are Direct Care Staff trained?

New Employee Development is a two-week process inclusive of the classroom and direct experience. Included in the training are modules covering the Sanctuary Model of Care, First Aid/CPR, Medication Administration, SCM training, and CASSP principles. There are also regular re-certifications.

How do you ensure my child will stay on track with school?

We understand that school can be a huge stressor for many of our residents. We work closely with each child’s teachers and parents to find the best curriculum and setting to keep them on track and follow all IEP’s.  Our teachers work alongside other staff to ensure each child receives the attention and support needed to succeed academically. For more information click here.

Is the CHOR campus locked?

Our 5-acre campus resembles a private school or small college campus.  Most buildings, except for Administration, our residential dorms are not locked (they are alarmed), however, the doors are locked from the outside to prevent entry without a key or permission. Our staff members accompany children as they walk to and from the dorms, school, gym, and clinical offices. Our residents regularly participate in community activities in the local Reading area. Please click here to read more about community activities.

Does my child have to participate in religious services?

There is spiritual/faith-based participation consent that we include in the admission packet, from which parents/children can choose if participating in religious services is permitted.  We offer on-grounds bible study and take kids to community churches, mosques, and other meeting places.

What is the average length of stay?

• It depends on each program.

What are the expectations about family involvement?

Family is an essential member of the child’s treatment team. We embrace robust family involvement, including regular phone contact and visitation. The family is expected to participate weekly in family therapy with their child and the child’s clinician and monthly treatment meetings.

How often does my child attend therapy?

Our Clinicians, Case Managers, and Milieu Supervisors have offices in the dorms to provide access and routine engagement with youth. There is one individual session per week, one family therapy session per week, three clinical groups per week, and one allied therapy group per week (in addition, there are two case management groups, and they meet biweekly with the case manager for life skills consultations).

What are the program’s philosophies about consequences and discipline?

The Children’s Home of Reading is a Sanctuary-informed agency and is a blueprint for clinical and organizational change that promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community. This is our way of empowering ourselves to care for others by ensuring the safety, support, and well-being of our employees, children, families, and communities while we embrace loss and inspire hope. Seven sanctuary commitments are woven into our programming:

• Nonviolence

• Emotional Intelligence

• Democracy

• Open Communication

• Social Responsibility

• Growth and Change

• Social Learning

We use a point-based behavioral system to focus on healthy pro-social engagement to support youth’s therapeutic goals.

What are Client Rights?

It is the policy of The Children’s Home of Reading to respect and inform each client and their families about client rights while receiving services through the agency’s programs. Clients/families will be informed of these rights in a manner that they can understand.

Residential Client Rights

Privacy Practices