ADMISSIONS
The most important part of the admissions process is gathering as much accurate and useful information as possible. This information is crucial for the treatment team to assess the appropriateness of a referral and make a good decision about whether we think we can help a particular student. Common issues for our students include poor school performance, family conflicts, poor peer relationships, depression, childhood trauma, attention difficulties, sexual issues, and poor decision making, coping and social skills.
The following process is used to determine which referrals are appropriate for admission.
- Inquiries regarding placement at RTM are directed to the Therapist or Director who will do an initial screening. This is generally a phone contact.
- Any referral who seems appropriate after the initial screening is requested to send us a recent (within the last year) psychological evaluation, social summary (if available), school records pertaining to behavior and performance, and any other relevant materials such as previous placement reports.
- Phone contact will be made with the parents to gain their perspective on the child’s issues and possible placement.
- Previous service providers are contacted for their perspective of the student’s issues and prognosis.
- The Admissions Team reviews all the information received and makes the decision of whether or not we believe placement at RTM would be beneficial for the student.
- The Therapist or Director will call the referral source to inform them of our decision. If the student has been accepted a time and date will be set for an intake and a packet of admission materials will be sent to the appropriate individuals. This packet of information contains important forms that need to be filled out before a student can be admitted into the program.
RTM can be a helpful program for many boys, so our licensed staff members review each referral independently.
Qualities which are generally inappropriate include:
- History of violent episodes that have required physical or medical restraints.
- Developmental limitations that make it difficult to learn from therapy groups.
- Being under 12 years of age.
- Having a psychiatric condition that has not been stabilized by medication.
- A need for substance detoxification.
- A major medical problem that has not been stabilized.