We're writing to address some commonly asked questions regarding what qualifies a child for residential treatment. We hope you find this to be helpful for review before submitting an application. So, without further ado: Residential treatment is typically reserved for children and adolescents who require a higher level of care and intervention than what can be provided through outpatient services or less intensive interventions. Here are the most common factors that might qualify a child for residential treatment:

• Severity of Mental Health or Behavioral Issues: This includes children who exhibit severe mental health disorders, behavioral problems, or emotional disturbances may qualify for residential treatment. At Youth Home, we most commonly treat disorders such as severe depression, anxiety disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, reactive attachment disorder, trauma, ptsd, and/or adhd.

• A History of Hospitalization: Children who have a history of frequent psychiatric hospitalizations or emergency room visits due to their mental health or behavioral issues may qualify for residential treatment. Residential programs can provide more extended and intensive care to address underlying issues.

• QBHP Services: Well documented reports from regular visits with a Qualified Behavioral Health Professional strengthens a child's chance of being considered as meeting the need for residential treatment.

• Ineffectiveness of Outpatient Treatment: Residential treatment is often considered when outpatient therapy or less intensive interventions have proven ineffective in addressing the child's issues. If a child's condition continues to worsen despite consistent efforts in outpatient care, residential treatment may be necessary.

• Co-Occurring Disorders: Children who have co-occurring disorders, such as substance abuse along with mental health issues, may require residential treatment. These programs can provide integrated care to address both issues simultaneously.

• Lack of Supportive Home Environment: A child's home environment plays a significant role in their well-being. If a child comes from an unstable, abusive, or otherwise unsupportive home, residential treatment can offer a safe and structured environment away from these negative influences.

• Functional Impairment: A child's mental health or behavioral issues may lead to functional impairment in various areas of life, such as school, social relationships, and family dynamics. If these impairments are severe and persistent, residential treatment may be considered to help the child develop essential life skills and coping strategies.

• Age and IQ: We accept youth ages 12-17 in our intensive residential treatment program. Patients should be intellectually capable of benefiting from the program (Full-Scale IQ = 70 or above).

• Medical Necessity: Insurance providers and healthcare professionals may evaluate the medical necessity of residential treatment based on the child's specific diagnosis and treatment needs. Insurance coverage and medical necessity criteria may vary by region and provider.

Other Considerations

Because we want to provide the highest quality of care possible, we also have a standard for behaviors that would deem a child  NOT a good fit for Youth Home. This is not personal at all, but rather our attempt to protect our youth and staff and continue to be a premier treatment center.

• Safety Concerns: Safety is of the utmost priority to us at Youth Home in terms of keeping our clients and staff safe. So if a child poses a danger to others due to their behavior, have a history of committing assault - either physical or sexual - or threaten to commit acts of violence, they may not be considered a good fit for our program.

• Age and IQ: Youth who are younger than 12 or older than 17 are not a best fit for our program, but we do know of a number of programs that can benefit those ages. Feel free to reach out to us for ideas. Clients should be intellectually capable of benefiting from the program, so clients at or below an IQ of 70 may not be considered for this program.

The decision to admit a child to residential treatment is made by our team of mental health professionals, as well as the qualifying insurance company you apply through.

A Note on Insurance:

We accept TRICARE East (Humana Military) & West (Health Net Federal Services), as well as Arkansas Medicaid PASSE. For other insurances, call before you apply to make sure you qualify!

A Note on Applications:

To be accepted, you really must prioritize filling out ALL required documents as noted on our Intensive Residential Treatment page as completely as possible. Having recent and well documented attempts with QBHP, Acute Level Care, and Outpatient Therapy really helps.

Reach out to your current or most recent provider before applying and make sure they understand why you are applying and the importance of getting all required documents sent as quickly as possible. We want the best for you and your family, and are only able to submit applications that are completely filled out. 

Final Tip:

If your application has been accepted, be prepared and prioritize your admission date. Due to the nature of our services, admissions are not very flexible, so if a date has been set for your child to come in - make sure you show up! And of course, if you have any concerns: fears, hesitations, sadness, frustration - we expect them all and know that this process can be stressful - give us a call. We are here for you and more than happy to talk.

If you've read this and believe your child or client may be a good fit, fill out the online forms at: