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What type of child does Tamarack Center treat?Though the type of child treated varies, there are some common characteristics that a child presents that are admitted into Tamarack Center's residential program. These include: being between that ages of twelve and seventeen; having a psychiatric diagnosis; exhibiting behaviors that require 24-hour supervision; and in need of more intensive treatment as opposed to out-patient therapy. How does my child get admitted to Tamarack Center?Before a child is admitted into Tamarack Center, the first step is to evaluate the appropriateness of the placement. For Washington State referred children, this is accomplished through the child's RSN and state CLIP committees. For private referrals, this is accomplished by a Tamarack Center staff review of the child's past treatment (i.e., prior psychological evaluation, past hospitalization records, etc.). Once the appropriatness of the admission is reviewed and approved, insurance/funding information is gathered and examined to inform parents of their coverage. When private or insurance funding approval is received, arrangements are made with parents/guardians to coordinate the admission date and time depending on bed availability. Tamarack Center assigns a Family Specialist to each admission. This staff member works with the family to coordinate the admission and answer any preadmission questions. How long will my child remain at Tamarack Center?A child's length of stay at Tamarack Center can vary depending on the severity of their problems. Our program evaluation data has shown that for our private referrals, the average length of stay is 2 1/2 months. For our state CLIP referrals, the average length of stay is nine months. How involved are the parents or guardians in a child's treatment?Parent/guardian involvement is extremely important and essential in Tamarack Center's programming. Family members participate in weekly therapy sessions and work with their Family Specialist in arranging convenient telephone times, visits and off-campus therapeutic passes. Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m. is Family Night, when all parents/guardians are invited to come to Tamarack Center and spend time with their child. One weekend a month, Tamarack Center presents its Family Matters program. This program invites all current and past parents/guardians to attend and participate in a group recreational activity, family-style meal and a support group. If you would like more information or have further questions, please feel free to contact us. |
