ADMISSIONS:

The Admissions process gives potential students, and their families, the best possible chance of a positive treatment experience at Germaine Lawrence.

Diagnostic Interview:

After the referral materials have been reviewed, candidates for admission are invited for an interview with our Director of Admissions. Adults planning on participating in treatment and a representative from the funding/referral agency are also expected to attend.

The admissions interview is an exchange of information between the Director of Admissions, prospective students, their families, other treatment providers, and funding agents. The purpose of the interview is to determine whether or not placement in a Germaine Lawrence program would be appropriate. Information about Germaine Lawrence, as well as a tour of the campus and the specific program being considered, is provided to all interview participants. Therapeutic, medical, and educational information, as well as visitation policies and family therapy information are explained.

The most critical piece of the admissions interview is the development of a treatment contract between the student and participating family.

The Director of Admissions will meet individually with the student, any involved family, and, finally, the treatment providers/funders that have attended the interview.

During each conversation, interviewees are asked:

• why treatment is being sought,
• the plan for the student after her treatment at GL,
• how progress will be measured, and
• each party's role is in supporting/facilitating the student's/family's treatment.

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The treatment contract is the culmination of the information gathered from these conversations. All interview participants are then brought back together and the contract is reviewed. This may be the first time that everyone's perceptions of the work to be done is presented. The purpose of this initial contract is not necessarily to achieve consensus, but rather, to provide a framework for treatment while at Germaine Lawrence.

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Admissions Decisions:

The Director of Admissions reviews the information from the interview with senior administrators at Germaine Lawrence and then decides whether or not the student will be offered placement.

Typically, a decision is made within 24-48 hours of the admissions interview. This decision is communicated to the contact person, generally the caseworker/funder, and they're asked to respond within a specified length of time about whether or not they'd like to accept the placement. If an opening is available, a date for admission will be set at this time. If an opening is not currently available, the student will scheduled for the next available bed.

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Day of Admission:

Transitions in general tend to be difficult for the girls that come to Germaine Lawrence. Beginning long-term treatment can also be a stressful and anxiety-producing experience for close family and friends. All staff make every effort to assist the student and her family in feeling comfortable during the admissions process and throughout the residents' stay.

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Intake Meeting:

On the day of admission to Germaine Lawrence, the Director of Admissions will introduce the student, her family, and the funder to the treatment team at the Intake Meeting. The treatment team includes:

• the Program Director,
• the individual/family Treatment Coordinator, and
• the program's Residential Director.

During this Intake Meeting, the treatment team reviews what to expect in the first 45-day assessment period. The first family visit, individual and family therapy appointments, and Treatment Planning meetings are scheduled and other administrative tasks are completed. The family will be given important phone numbers, including the treatment team members', the crisis center's and the dorm's. The meeting in general takes approximately 30-40 minutes.

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After the Intake Meeting:

After the meeting, the family is given an opportunity to say goodbye, and then the student is brought to the dorm or her classroom where she immediately meets with staff and fellow students. Family members are encouraged to be supportive to the student when saying goodbye, and also to be brief. Our goal is not to isolate girls from their families, but to ensure the transition promotes a feeling of safety and security for the student. We have found that long, drawn-out goodbyes typically are detrimental to the girls at the beginning of treatment.

Families are encouraged to call and speak with the student each day, as well as to speak with staff on shift about the student's progress.

For more information:

Nike Balogun
Director of Admissions
18 Claremont Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476
781-648-6200 ext. 127

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REFERRALS:

A variety of sources refer girls to Germaine Lawrence, including state and local agencies, private practitioners, schools, courts, educational consultants, hospitals and family members.

If a parent or concerned family member is considering referring a girl, they are encouraged to call Nike Balogun, the Director of Admissions, at 781-648-6200 ext. 127, for assistance in navigating the admissions process.

A referral is a packet of information that describes the treatment desired and any information that supports this request.

A complete referral includes:

• A description of the problem for which the girl needs treatment;
  Family history;
• Any discharge summaries or treatment plans from past placements (if applicable);
• Medical history, including immunization records, the date of the last physical/dental exam, and insurance information;
• Any educational or neuropsychological testing results;
• Educational information including Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), transcripts, MCAS scores, and the names, numbers, and addresses of contact people at the schools;
• A letter of intent to fund by each funding source, including the name, address, and telephone number of the person responsible for billing; and
• A copy of the student's birth certificate.

The more complete the referral, the more quickly the student may be placed. The materials are reviewed by the Director of Admissions to determine whether or not:

• The student can be safe in our program,
• The student is likely to benefit from our services, and
• There is an opening available in an appropriate program.

Typically, people are anxious to provide the girls they are referring with the services they need as quickly as possible. Providing information in a timely manner will facilitate that process.

Please also remember that an interview is not a guarantee of admission to any Germaine Lawrence program. We have multiple referrals for each opening and are not able to accept all candidates.

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