How to Pay for Treatment

About Us

Hope Renews was founded by parents of teens with severe emotional distress in residential treatment programs. Having had children in these programs we learned firsthand two things. First, that this kind of intensive intervention can be life saving. And second, we learned that it comes with a substantial price tag.

It has been our belief that this kind of care should not be the exclusive province of the wealthy. So we created a foundation to specifically address financial issues – through loans and grants directly to families, through the dissemination of information of resources that might be available to help pay for treatment, and through a forum of supportive voices to connect families facing this challenge.

Hope Renews has survived the critical first five years in operation. While our grant and loan program is focused on just one program, Vista Adolescent Treatment Center, the information in this website should be of use to the much broader universe of families struggling to pay for a child in treatment. More...

How Much Is Treatment?

There is no other way to say it: residential treatment is expensive. Parents have to navigate a maze of funding options that are confusing and frustrating.

We have been through it. We hope we can make your job easier by sharing our experiences. More...

How Do I Pay for It?

Paying for treatment is a challenge to low- and middle-income families. But it is not impossible.

It takes a parent that is educated, dedicated, and thinks outside the box. It will require planning, locating resources, talking to programs, juggling tasks, all while you are trying to take care of your family. But if you approach this fight, armed with knowledge and support, you are more likely to get your child the help he needs. More...

Where the Money Comes From

There is no other way to say it. Residential treatment is expensive. It can last for months or years. And paying for it is not easy.

But it is not impossible. It takes a parent that is educated, dedicated, and thinks outside the box. It will require planning, locating resources, talking to programs, juggling tasks, all while you are trying to take care of your family. But if approach this fight, armed with knowledge and support, you are more likely to get your child the help he needs.

Seven Sources

We have identified seven principal ways that treatment is funded. In the sections below, we give more information on each option.

Personal Finances. In this category we include personal wealth; that is, the family pays out of his or her own income; borrowing against family assets be they assets in a home or pension or 401K or other equities; or other loans (such as credit card debt).
Extended Family. Many families who don’t have the personal wealth to pay for a child’s treatment will often go to a parent or sibling for assistance.
School Districts. Public schools are obligated to provide teens with access to an appropriate education. If a child cannot be educated through his local community, schools must make provisions for other options. This is done through an Individual Education Plan developed with the high school counselor.
Mental Health. Some community and state mental health funds may contribute to treating a child with serious emotional needs.
Insurance. Some insurance policies pay for some portion of mental health services. The coverage varies from plan to plan and policy to policy.
Loans. Plenty of families take out loans to pay for treatment.
Resources for Low-Income Families. Some children have had their treatment costs supplemented by religious organizations, Indian tribes, fraternal orders, and private philanthropy. Some programs themselves may comp a child whose family has run out of services but who needs a short amount of time left in the program to successfully complete his or her treatment.

Next: Personal Finances

What are your experiences? Let us know below. Or join our Community Forum.

Comments

Where does money come from

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 12:47.

I think this is a valid part of the process and thank you for putting it out there. As we all know, parents are often pre-occupied with the crisis and can't see through to the other factors involved. It is important to realize (for the parents seeking help) there is no easy solution, but ideas and resources help relieve the "what the hell do I do now" symdrome.

I am sure there are plenty of foundations out there with resources and the willingness to help. The hurdle becomes the application process....how does one go through the process of applying and "qualifying" for funds when you are trying to save a child's life.

One possibility might be some sort of clearing house that acts as the "go between" the family and the foundation. The clearing house knows the foundation requirements and matches them to the family needs. This works either with dedicated volunteers or funding (or both).

So, I think what you are offerring here is a fantastic start...I know it would have been helpful to me as I did my research. That being said, the missing link is a way for parents to gain access when on a limited time budget (because of the obvious distraction).

One other observation...I looked into a short term loan to get my child into treatment with the idea that once he was safe, I could devote my energy to trying to come up with the resources to repay the loan. Perhaps the clearing house I mentioned above could provide the loans and assist with obtaining the grant to repay. Just a thought

I hope this helps

Comments

Foundations

Submitted by scargle on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 19:06.

Thanks for your comments.

It always surprises people to hear this: There are virtually no foundations that help pay for treatment.

This is what the Foundation Center says:

"Most forms of assistance for housing, medical bills, or personal debt will come from charitable organizations or government assistance programs, rather than grants from foundations. Foundation grants are generally awarded to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Those that give grants to individuals typically do so to help pay for education or to support artistic or research projects.

We realize that you may need the funds urgently. However, researching the few foundations that provide emergency funding to individuals takes time. More immediate resources for funding may be in your area, including government agencies, local organizations, and gifts or loans from generous individuals. You might also contact your elected officials to ask about government-sponsored or other programs for which you may be eligible."

Comments

Thanks to Hope Renews Donors!

Submitted by cathygilson on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 12:00.

This was received recently from a mom whose family Hope Renews has supported with your donations!

Dear Hope Renews Donors,

How does one say thank you for another chance at life? A family in crisis with a troubled teenager can quickly exhaust patience, hope, and financial resources. With two troubled teenagers, the speed of depletion of emotional and financial resources is doubled.

My husband volunteered for a hazardous duty assignment in Iraq to finance the treatment for our son. With our son away in treatment, our daughter’s difficulties were brought to the surface.

If it were not for your generous donations, we would not have been able to provide the same quality of care for our daughter that our son has received. Thanks to your selflessness, she has been provided an opportunity to become a healthy and whole young adult. Truly our hopes for her future have been renewed.

We will never be able to repay your kindness. However, our daughter already speaks of one day utilizing the tools that she has developed to assist other struggling teenagers. Your life-changing gift will continue to touch our family and others for years to come.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sincerely,

The Parents of a Hope Renews Scholarship Recipient

Comments

seeking for help

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/04/2010 - 13:54.

I am single mother of four children. My husband who was MD passed away 2004 with cancer then all the trouble start I have one daughter and three boys. My second child been taking Oxycontin and Percocet since four years which i recently found out he been in institution for three times and he want to get better but i did not know from where to get help my best friend found out some friend who been through this experience right now my son is in one of the institution i am thinking for your program please help me to make a right decision. thank you

Comments

Dear Concerned Mother

Submitted by scargle on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 08:34.

Dear Concerned Mother,

First, we are so saddened to read about the loss of your husband and the father of your dear children. We are also sad to read that one of your sons has been taking Oxycontin and Percocet for four years. Please help us understand the latter part of your message: You state that your boy has been in an institution three times and is in treatment now.

We are confused about what decision you want us to help you with. Please clarify how we can "help you make a right decision." We will help you if we can.

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Newsletter 2010

The Hope Renews Newsletter for 2010 (that is, a real, hold in your hands, line your bird cage, burn after reading, made from paper document) is in the final production phases.

The topic is ADVICE:

from therapists to parents,
from kids to therapists and parents and
from parents to therapists.

You won't want to miss it, so please send us your mailing address and we will make sure you to get a copy -- in the mail.

The Editors

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