The Wild Program Trail!

In the last decade or so I’ve gotten the opportunity to tour 100s of programs across the country which is an essential component to being a good Treatment Consultant. If I’m going to refer to a program, I like to see the place, kick the bedroom doors a bit, and hear the staff speak about their passion. You also want to be dressed in a way that will allow you to get around in a variety of environments; ladies leave the high heels in the car. Here are a few things that help you get a real view of what’s going on inside an RTC, Therapeutic School, or Transitional Living Program.

Get Outside

If you can, do an activity that isn't just dinner or walking around the grounds. Go outside and share a hike or a bike or a trip with folks. That’s when you really get to know who they are and how they are passionate about their work; as they should be.

Be Spontaneous

Making the most out of your travel or conference means that sometimes you learn about a program and what you hear is intriguing. Call the program up and see if they can take you right now. Many programs do a dog and pony show for ECs, see who they are when they didn’t know you were coming. With a good program, it shouldn’t be much of a difference.

Meet the Founder

If you can swing it, share a meal with the founder, or the ED, or CEO of the program. These folks, regardless of their level of involvement, set the tone for the culture of the organization. They offer a lot of insight into why a program exists and where it’s going. The fact that they will sit with you and share a conversation says a lot all by itself.

Take Notes

You should come away with some of these basic points: price point, average length of stay for each level of care, guiding principles or philosophy or practice model, details about insurance/billing, ideal client (age range, gender, primary treatment issue, etc.), staffing ratios (direct care, clinician, case management, doc, nurse, etc.), aftercare options, age of program, and occupancy. I’m sure we could add more if you want to get into the specifics of a certain area but if I come away know all these, I feel like I paid attention and asked good questions.

Eat their Food

If you can, have a meal at the program/facility/house. Good treatment goes along with a good diet; we all know it. You are what you eat. If you can’t eat the food, at least ask them about it and get a walk-through of the kitchen.

Say hello to Admissions

Admissions staff can make or break a program and can make or break a referral. If you can’t communicate with a program or successfully onboard a client due to a difficult admissions process you may be wasting your time and your client’s opportunity for a successful treatment experience. Get to know the admissions folks. Any treatment professional should know a good admissions team when s/he sees one.

See you all out on the pro trail!