Frequently Asked Questions

HillsidesCares offers a full continuum of care for behavioral health treatment. Our 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 level as they progress along their treatment plan. We offer the following levels of care:

• Residential treatment program
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Aftercare program

Our admissions intake process is clear and straightforward, designed to get your child or adolescent enrolled with as little difficulty as possible.

1. Call HillsidesCares: Our mental health admissions team can help you schedule a tour to visit the campus and learn more about our programs and services.
2. Verify insurance: Our intake team will verify your insurance benefits to determine the best payment options for your family.
3. Complete referral screening: While your insurance benefits are verified, our intake team will conduct a referral screening to determine the best treatment options for your child or adolescent.
4. Complete paperwork: Our intake team will help you complete any necessary paperwork to begin services.
5. Meet the team: Once you have completed the intake process, you will meet the HillsidesCares team.

HillsidesCares offers primary mental health treatment for children and adolescents ages 6-17. We do not accept adult clients. 

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. 

HillsidesCares works with many different insurance carriers to cover the cost of treatment. Learn more by contacting our admissions department at 323.641.4842.

Our team can pre-verify your insurance benefits information. Keep in mind that we also accommodate self-payment plans. 

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

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

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. 

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

For emergency situations, our 24/7 nursing team will be available to assess any concerns, and families will be notified to discuss next steps.

After the initial intake assessment, HillsidesCares devises a personalized treatment plan to address your child’s therapeutic needs and recovery goals. We use proven, evidence-based therapies and holistic approaches to address mental health conditions in youth. The specific combination of therapies used depends on the client’s unique treatment plan, but may include the following:

• Psychotherapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Medication-assisted therapy (MAT)
• Motivational interviewing (MI)
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Equine therapy
• Mindfulness meditation therapy
• PTSD treatment
• Trauma therapy

HillsidesCares treats children and adolescents in groups of up to ten in our residential cottages, and in our IOP and PHP group cohorts. For our residential program, our residents live in our on-site cottages for the duration of their treatment. 

Our campus includes residential mixed gender cottages divided by age. Each cottage includes shared amenities, including a small kitchen, shared bathroom, and a common area for TV and games during recreation time. 

For all three levels of care, the length of stay varies by the presenting symptoms, treatment plan, and authorization process with the health plan to establish medical necessity. Treatment can run longer if additional support is needed to safely transition a child home or to a lower level of care. 

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. Parents will also receive regular phone or virtual check-ins and ongoing support from their therapist regarding updates about treatment progress.

In the case of a crisis, parents are immediately notified, no matter the time of day or night.

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 items prohibited at HillsidesCares include:

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

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. 

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 can work with the family to help support the educational plan that is agreed upon by the client’s school district of origin (e.g. independent studies, home hospital, packets, virtual learning, etc.). 

It is recommended that when clients graduate from either residential, PHP, or IOP, that they continue with supportive treatment and aftercare.

The treatment team will help clients and families identify services upon discharge and will provide aftercare check-in calls for a month post-discharge to follow up on treatment goals.