Getting a local school district to pay the cost of an Residential Treatment Center (RTC) won't happen instantly. A case has to be made, and certain time lines observed. Unless you have an already cooperative district, it would probably pay to have the help of an advocate, or even an education attorney.
Full Answer
Can a school district pay for an out of district placement?
School districts. Although rare, it is possible for a school district to pay for an out-of-district placement if parents can prove this is the least restrictive option and no in-district option is suitable to meet the needs of the child. Private pay. Parents may pay privately for residential care.
How does a residential treatment center for children work?
Most residential treatment centers for children have a small, fully functioning school that operates within the treatment program. This school must follow all the same guidelines as any other school, such as following your child’s IEP.
How is residential treatment for mental illness funded?
There are several ways residential treatment is funded: Insurance. Because private insurance will eventually run out, children who are privately insured will need to apply for Medicaid. With a mental health diagnosis, a child can be placed in a residential setting if he meets certain strict criteria.
What is necessary for a child to receive a long-term residential placement?
The following may be what is necessary for a child to receive a long-term residential placement: Short-term hospitalization is not enough to stabilize the child’s mental health The exception to this would be a facility where you privately pay.
What are the grants for mental health?
While there are some grants available for mental health services, such as these SAMHSA grants and NIMH funding grants, typically these grants are for organizations who provide mental health care to the community, not individuals.
Can a school district pay for out of district placement?
Although rare, it is possible for a school district to pay for an out-of-district placement if parents can prove this is the least restrictive option and no in-district option is suitable to meet the needs of the child.
Can you relinquish parental rights?
Depending on the state, relinquishment is not easy to obtain. Often another adoptive family needs to be arranged before a judge will grant relinquishment.
Can you get a subsidy for adoption?
If your child was adopted from foster care, you might receive an adoption subsidy. Part of these subsidy funds can be used to pay for a child’s care. If the funds are insufficent to pay for needed services (as they often are), you can request that the funds be re-examined. Some states also have additional funding for higher-level services for special needs children who are adopted from foster care.
Does Blue Cross cover residential care?
Insurance companies (such as Blue Cross, Aetna, Cinga, and many others) typically cover a portion of the cost of residential treatment. This may mean that families are required to pay a deductible and then a percentage of the cost of care thereafter.
Start With What You Have
We recommend that you first look at the assets you have right in front of you. If you have wealth and you can utilize that wealth to pay for a therapeutic program, begin the process of letting it go now so that it will be easier for you to do so when it comes time.
Move Outward, Look to Your Close Friends and Family
We talk to so many parents who are great parents but feel lost as to how to help their child. Many families harbor great shame about the fact that their teenager is struggling, and so they are not willing to ask for help from others. This is a humbling experience for many, so we encourage you to embrace this process.
Still Need Help? Ask Your Local Community
If your assets and your family’s help are still not enough, you can then move toward your local community to ask for help. Write a letter of support and ask your friends if they know anyone who might be interested in helping. You will be surprised at the resources you may find in the process.
Apply for a Behavioral Health Loan
If you have exhausted all of the above options, your last resort may be applying for a behavioral health loan.
Do You Have Health Insurance?
If your insurance covers mental and behavioral health, some programs can bill insurance for Out of Network Benefits, which will cover the cost of therapy only. We encourage you to look at our article titled, "Can My Health Insurance Policy Help Me Pay for Residential or Therapeutic Boarding School?".
Does Your Child Have an IEP?
If your child has an IEP States are required by law to provide funding if a case can be made that the school setting will not be enough to meet their IEP. See wrightslaw.com for more information.
Was Your Child Adopted?
The Adoptive Families Coalition welcomes and helps families with post-adoption challenges. They offer a unique plan to assist in meeting the high cost of therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers, and wilderness therapy programs.
How is residential treatment funded?
Because private insurance will eventually run out, children who are privately insured will need to apply for Medicaid. With a mental health diagnosis, a child can be placed in a residential setting if he meets certain strict criteria. Court systems.
What does it mean when a child is placed in residential treatment?
When a child is placed in residential treatment through the state office of mental health, this means a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder is in place and it’s been determined that the child needs the highest level of care.
What is the highest level of care for children?
Residential treatment is the highest level of care and so reserved for children who are most in need. Mental health placements typically have a higher success rate while placements through the juvenile justice system typically have poor success rates and high recidivism rates.
What is residential treatment?
Residential treatment is when a child lives outside of the home situation 24/7 and lives in a controlled facility environment. Typically a child who needs this level of support has extreme behavior issues such as rage, aggression, acting out sexually, violence, crime, or very serious mental health issues.
Can a child leave a residential treatment center without permission?
Residential facilities are often locked, meaning the child cannot leave without permission, but this is not always true. Children attend school on or near the campus. Most residential treatment centers for children have a small, fully functioning school that operates within the treatment program.
Does TRP end parent-child relationship?
Depending on the system in your state, you might consider voluntary foster care placement or even TRP, which ends the parent-child relationship legally. In some states, these steps are required in order to get the necessary funding for residential treatment, but the parent-child relationship remains in place.
Can a school district pay for out of district placement?
School districts. Although rare, it is possible for a school district to pay for an out-of-district placement if parents can prove this is the least restrictive option and no in-district option is suitable to meet the needs of the child. Private pay. Parents may pay privately for residential care.
How is residential treatment funded?
Because private insurance will eventually run out, children who are privately insured will need to apply for Medicaid. With a mental health diagnosis, a child can be placed in a residential setting if he meets certain strict criteria. Court systems.
What does it mean when a child is placed in residential treatment?
When a child is placed in residential treatment through the state office of mental health, this means a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder is in place and it’s been determined that the child needs the highest level of care.
What is the highest level of care for children?
Residential treatment is the highest level of care and so reserved for children who are most in need. Mental health placements typically have a higher success rate while placements through the juvenile justice system typically have poor success rates and high recidivism rates.
What is residential treatment?
Residential treatment is when a child lives outside of the home situation 24/7 and lives in a controlled facility environment. Typically a child who needs this level of support has extreme behavior issues such as rage, aggression, acting out sexually, violence, crime, or very serious mental health issues.
Can you adopt a child in a residential facility?
No one gives birth or adopts a child with the hope that he or she will need residential treatment someday. Coming to the conclusion that your child needs care in a facility is an incredibly difficult, painful process for any parent. These decisions are not made lightly.
Can a school district pay for out of district placement?
School districts. Although rare, it is possible for a school district to pay for an out-of-district placement if parents can prove this is the least restrictive option and no in-district option is suitable to meet the needs of the child. Private pay. Parents may pay privately for residential care.
Is residential treatment good for children?
The truth is that residential treatment has poor success rates. Children do better in families and within the community. The goal is always to keep the family together and residential treatment is used as a last resort. Residential treatment is the highest level of care and so reserved for children who are most in need.