Bonita House Policies & Procedures

Admission Procedures

Admission Procedures

Admission Procedures

Policy Statement

Bonita House ensures a comprehensive and appropriate admission process that identifies individuals who can benefit from our residential treatment services while maintaining program safety and therapeutic milieu.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirements

  • Youth Programs: Ages 12-17
  • Adult Programs: Ages 18 and above
  • Transitional Age Youth (TAY): Ages 18-24

Clinical Requirements

  • Documented mental health diagnosis
  • Medical stability for residential setting
  • Ability to participate in programming
  • No active medical conditions requiring hospital-level care

Referral Process

Step 1: Initial Referral

  • Referrals accepted from:
    • County behavioral health departments
    • Probation departments
    • School districts
    • Private insurance providers
    • Self-referrals (private pay)

Step 2: Pre-Screening

  • Review of referral documentation
  • Initial phone screening
  • Insurance verification
  • Preliminary eligibility determination

Step 3: Comprehensive Assessment

  • Clinical assessment interview
  • Review of medical records
  • Psychiatric evaluation if indicated
  • Risk assessment

Required Documentation

Clinical Documentation

  • Current psychological evaluation (within 6 months)
  • Psychiatric evaluation (if applicable)
  • Medical clearance
  • Medication list
  • Treatment history

Administrative Documentation

  • Consent for treatment
  • Authorization for placement
  • Insurance information
  • Emergency contact information
  • Legal documentation (if applicable)

Admission Timeline

  • Day 1-2: Initial screening and documentation review
  • Day 3-4: Comprehensive assessment
  • Day 5: Admission decision and notification
  • Day 6-7: Intake and orientation (if approved)

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals may be excluded from admission if they:

  • Require medical detoxification
  • Have acute medical conditions requiring hospital care
  • Pose imminent danger to self or others beyond program capacity
  • Require a higher level of care
  • Cannot participate in group programming

Appeals Process

If admission is denied, applicants may:

  1. Request written explanation of denial
  2. Submit additional documentation
  3. Request reconsideration within 30 days
  4. Appeal to Clinical Director

Emergency Admissions

For urgent placements:

  • 24-hour crisis hotline available
  • Expedited assessment process
  • Temporary placement pending full assessment
  • Coordination with crisis response teams