Q: What is the admissions process for the Residential Treatment Center (RTC)?
A: The admission process begins when a parent, provider or facility makes a referral to our Access Center. Included with the referral is our application, copy of youth's insurance card and the following information (as applicable):
- Most recent psychiatric and/or psychological evaluation
- Medical records from any inpatient hospitalization (admission note/history and physical/discharge summary)
- Discharge summary from any treatment program or out-of-home placement (IOP, day treatment, wilderness camp, group home, therapeutic group home, PRTF)
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or IQ assessment, if applicable
- School behavioral reports/critical incident reports
- Documentation of current medications
- Pertinent or most recent clinical progress notes from treatment team (counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, in-home team, etc.)
- Any other documentation that would show youth's safety risk to self and/or others
- Parents are welcome to write a letter documenting concerns displayed in the home
- Court documentation, such as divorce decree/parent plan/custody paperwork
We can also request records on a patient's behalf with a Release of Information.
Our medical director reviews all referrals to determine if the youth is accepted based on medical necessity and fit for our program.
If accepted, the youth is placed on our wait list (time frame varies based on age, gender and bed availability).
Our access team will work with guardians to complete all necessary documentation for placement in our facility.
Q: What does a typical day look like?
A: During the week, children and adolescents will attend school from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., participate in school-based activities, eat meals with the behavioral health technicians and other youth, complete chores and engage in free time to complete therapeutic tasks or cooperatively play with other youth. Behavioral health technicians and supervisors continuously monitor youth behaviors, all while consistently teaching daily skills. Weekends are also structured and can include a variety of activities, such as movie nights, arts/crafts and physical activity in our gym and outdoor playground. We have a motivation system which allows youth to earn privileges and advance through a 3-tiered system based on the nationally recognized Boys Town Psycho-Educational Treatment Model (PEM).
Q: How do I know my child will be safe?
A: The safety of all children and adolescents is our number one priority. In our fully secure facility, the RTC has numerous practices in place to monitor and ensure the safety of all youth. Our facility is locked with direct care staff working with youth 24 hours a day. Our staff utilize an emergency management system to quickly and clearly alert staff of any concerns and our on-site security department conducts regular checks. We have low youth-to-staff ratios with awake night staff for safety and monitoring.
Q: How do I get started?
A: To get started, please contact our Access Center at (531) 355-5210 or
fill out an application.
Q: What will happen on admission day?
A: On the day of admission, the child and legal guardian will meet with our admission coordinator, nursing staff and clinical therapist to discuss the reason for placement and components of our program. We value your input in setting goals for both your child and your family. These meetings typically last two hours. Then youth will be assessed by a psychiatrist during the first week of treatment to determine plan/course for medication.
Q: What is my role as a parent/guardian?
A: You will be working with the child's or adolescent's treatment team to help support their treatment plan. This plan lays out the best course of action to help your child and provide stabilization vital to their success. We encourage you to actively participate in family therapy as well as encourage your youth in their daily behavioral goals and individual treatment. Our Common Sense Parenting® program is offered free of charge and highly encouraged while your child is in treatment.
Q: What type of treatment will my child receive?
A: Treatment plans are specific to each child's or adolescent's behavioral, physical and mental health needs, and are directed by a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist who works with primary care physicians and licensed mental health providers to develop individualized treatment plans. All youth in our facility have an assigned therapist who sees them twice weekly for individual therapy and facilitates family therapy on a weekly basis. Therapists utilize a variety of modalities to meet treatment needs and address referral concerns. Youth will participate in group therapy on the unit three times per week. They will also have an assigned psychiatrist who will see them weekly regarding medication management. All youth receive a physical within the first two weeks of treatment. More than 40 hours of psycho-educational treatment is provided weekly. Treatment includes skills to increase social development, academic success and independent living skills.
Q: What is the cost of treatment?
A: Residential treatment is funded via insurance. We are contracted with commercial insurance companies and NE/IA Medicaid. The cost of treatment will be subject to the deductible and out-of-pocket costs associated with your insurance plan. Please contact member services through your insurance company to identify specific plan amounts.
