Frequently Asked Questions

Being a parent of a child or adolescent can definitely be a challenge. This is especially true when the child struggles with mental and behavioral health issues. If your child is in crisis, we know you have many questions, and we can help.

HillsidesCares offers the highest caliber of mental health treatment for children and adolescents. Our program is designed for individuals experiencing mild to acute stress from symptoms related to emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. Often, our clients experience problem behaviors that may threaten their health and safety. Our HillsidesCares team can provide the tools and resources to help children and adolescents develop the skills they need to be content and successful in their lives.

While we have prepared a list of commonly asked questions below, we encourage you to reach out to HillsidesCares at 323.641.4842 at any time. We can answer additional questions or help you start the intake process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Levels of Care Do You Provide?

HillsidesCares offers a full continuum of care for behavioral health treatment. Our adolescent clients are assessed and given tailored treatment plans designed to meet their specific treatment and recovery goals. In many cases, clients may step down from one level of care to a less intensive one as they progress along their treatment plan. We offer the following levels of care:

• Residential treatment program
• Partial hospitalization program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Outpatient program
• Aftercare program

What Staff Members Provide Treatment?

The multidisciplinary treatment team at HillsidesCares consists of several highly qualified staff members trained specifically in child and adolescent mental health. Our mental health staff is on campus each day of the week, including weekends. These staff members include:

• A psychiatrist
• A mental health clinician
• A behavioral specialist
• A dedicated case manager
• A licensed vocational nurse
• A crisis response specialist
• Various recreational and support staff

How Will Family Members Be Involved in the Treatment Process?

Family involvement is a core component of the treatment program at HillsidesCares. Parents are strongly encouraged to participate in family therapy, which typically occurs one time per week. However, the family, child, and therapist ultimately decide the frequency of sessions. Families are also invited to participate in multi-family therapy groups and family events on campus, such as viewing our talent show or visiting during holidays. Also, parents will receive regular phone or virtual check-ins and ongoing support from their therapist regarding updates about treatment progress. In the instance of a crisis, parents are notified immediately, no matter the time of day or night.

How Many Other Children Will Be in the Programs?

One of the common frequently asked questions our team hears is asking about the number of other children and adolescents in the programs. HillsidesCares treats children and adolescents in groups of ten in our cottages. Our residents live on a 17-acre campus and are spread across five separate cottages based on age.

What Are the Sleeping Arrangements?

Each client room is private. Each cottage has a personal wardrobe, a shared bathroom, a small kitchen, and a common area for TV and games.

What Is a Typical Length of Stay at HillsidesCares?

The typical length of stay in our residential program is between 3 and 5 weeks. Treatment can run longer in instances where additional support is needed to safely transition a child home or to a lower level of care.

Do You Accept Insurance?

HillsidesCares works with many different insurance carriers to cover the cost of treatment. Learn more by contacting our admissions department at 323.641.4842 so one of our representatives can pre-verify your insurance benefits information. Keep in mind that we also accommodate self-payment plans.

What Insurance Providers Do You Accept?

HillsidesCares works with many major insurance providers, including the following:

• Anthem Blue Cross
• Blue Shield of California
• Carelon Behavioral Health
• Evernorth Behavioral Health
• Kaiser Permanente
• Magellan
• Optum

If My Insurance Won’t Pay for Treatment, What Are My Options?

At HillsidesCares, our team works with many different insurance carriers to cover the cost of treatment. If your insurance is out of contract, don’t worry. Our admissions team will work with your carrier to arrange for a single case agreement. If your insurance will not cover the cost of treatment, we accommodate self-payment plans. However, our admissions team will exhaust all options with your insurance carrier before discussing self-payment.

Do You Accept Clients Transitioning Out of a Hospital?

Yes, it is very common for us to transition clients from a hospital to our residential program. Typically, a client will only spend a couple of days in a hospital setting to manage the immediate, short-term risks associated with mental or emotional health issues. HillsidesCares can act as the next step after hospitalization. We specialize in providing longer-term and sustained support that a child or adolescent needs to start the recovery process.

What Should My Child Bring to HillsidesCares?

All items brought to HillsidesCares will be carefully inventoried at intake and discharge. Some of the items that are allowed to be brought to HillsidesCares include:

• Bring enough clothes to last a week. Residents at HillsidesCares will have the ability to wash their belongings, and parents can always bring other articles of clothing when they visit.
• You may also wish to pack toiletries. HillsidesCares provides toiletries, but many adolescents like to bring their own brand.
• Residents are also welcome to bring personal items such as photos and reading materials.
• Although HillsidesCares will provide all linens, pillows, and towels, some clients may prefer to bring their own.
• Cell phones are allowed on a case-by-case basis. The electronics policy is reviewed with the family before admission to treatment at HillsidesCares.

Some of the items that are prohibited at HillsidesCares include:

• High-value electronics
• Aerosols
• Glass
• Weapons of any kind, including knives
• Illegal drugs or alcohol

May I Visit My Child During Treatment?

Families are encouraged to visit their children on campus throughout treatment. However, visitation hours are determined on a case-by-case basis. We do not have predetermined visitation hours that every client must adhere to. When clinically safe, parents may have off-campus passes with their children to enjoy community activities together, like going to lunch or going for a walk. Virtual visits are also available.

Will My Child Keep Up with Schoolwork?

Yes, but only when the child is ready. The priority is achieving psychological stability with the client first. Then, when they are ready to focus on their studies, our team provides behavioral and mental health support to allow clients to focus on schoolwork and achieve their educational goals.

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