Admissions

1. A child may be admitted to a psychiatric residential treatment facility for children if: a. The child has been diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist as suffering from a mental illness or emotional disturbance; b. The child's situation meets the definition of serious risk of harm; and c. A less restrictive setting cannot meet the immediate treatment need. 2. The facility shall provide a short-term, intense, focused mental health treatment program to promote successful return of the child to the community with specific outcomes of the mental health services to include the child returning to the family or another less restrictive community living situation as soon as clinically possible. 3. Every facility shall have specific admission policies that describe which professional staff have admission authority. Admissions must occur emergently and planned. Diagnostic assessment and plan of care must document immediate need for inpatient psychiatric residential services. 4. A tier 1 mental health professional must complete an assessment of a child upon admission to a facility. 5. The facility shall grant or deny admission within three business days of receipt of a completed application. 6. If admission is denied, the facility shall indicate the reason in writing to the individual or referral source making the application for placement, including recommendations for services and supports available to the child and family. 7. No child may be denied admission to a facility on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, or national origin.