Frequently Asked Questions

We know this is a difficult time, and we know you have questions. Below you’ll find straightforward answers about our program, who we serve, and what to expect. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, our admissions team is here to help.

Program Overview

What level of care do you provide?

Headwaters Behavioral Health is a licensed Children’s Residential Treatment Facility (CRTF) in Idaho. We serve adolescents ages 12–17 who need structured, 24/7 therapeutic support in a residential setting.

No, Headwaters is not an acute psychiatric hospital and does not provide emergency crisis stabilization services. Youth must be medically and psychiatrically stable to be admitted to our program. 

We are licensed for 15 co-ed residential treatment beds. Admissions are based on clinical appropriateness, safety, and bed availability.

Yes. We operate as a locked, non-secure residential treatment facility. This is designed to keep youth safe while maintaining a therapeutic, relational environment.

Admissions & Eligibility

Who is eligible for admission?

To be considered for admission, a youth must:

  • Be between 12 and 17 years old
  • Meet medical necessity criteria for residential-level treatment
  • Require 24-hour structured therapeutic support
  • Not require acute psychiatric hospitalization or medical detoxification
  • Be medically stable and able to safely participate in programming

All referrals undergo a structured pre-admission screening and review to determine clinical need, safety, treatment fit, and availability. Final admission approval is provided by our clinical and nursing teams.

All youth must have medical clearance from a qualified healthcare provider before entering our program. Required documentation typically includes a recent physical examination, current medication list, relevant medical and psychiatric history, and any laboratory or screening documentation requested by our team.

Youth who need acute medical care, detoxification, or hospital-level psychiatric stabilization will need to receive that care first before transitioning to residential treatment. 

We accept referrals from parents and legal guardians, the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare (including the YES Program), juvenile probation, psychiatric inpatient hospitals, emergency departments, and community providers.

Treatment Approach

What therapies do you offer?

Our program combines evidence-based and neuroscience-informed approaches in a structured therapeutic setting. Treatments include:

  • Individual, group, and family therapy
  • Trauma-focused interventions
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), including Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), when clinically appropriate
  • Emotional regulation training with HeartMath®
  • Nervous system regulation strategies, including polyvagal-informed education and somatic-based practices
  • Psychiatric medication management

Each youth receives an individualized plan of care developed by our treatment team, which are reviewed regularly to track progress and adjust as needed.

Headwaters’ care model is trauma-informed and relationship-centered, where we prioritize developing connection and trust with our patients. We provide a structured and predictable environment, and while our facility is locked for safety, we’ve intentionally designed it to feel therapeutic, not correctional. We integrate neuroscience into our work to help youth understand their nervous systems and learn strategies to regulate them effectively. From admission to discharge, we engage the whole family to support smoother transitions and better outcomes for our youths and their families.

Medication & Medical Services

Do you provide medication management?

Yes. Licensed psychiatric professionals provide medication management when clinically indicated, in collaboration with guardians and our treatment team.

Headwaters provides affirming, respectful, and individualized behavioral health services to all youth.

Idaho law (Idaho Code § 18-1506C) prohibits healthcare facilities from administering puberty blockers or hormone therapy for the purpose of gender transition to minors. These services are outside our scope. However, we do provide supportive behavioral health care to all youth in our program, within the bounds of state law.

Safety & Program Structure

Do you use restraint or seclusion?

Our program prioritizes de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and relational safety. We use the least restrictive interventions necessary to maintain safety and do not operate a seclusion-based treatment model.

Staff are trained to recognize early signs of distress and intervene through verbal support, co-regulation, and environmental adjustments. Physical intervention is used only as a last resort when safety is at immediate risk. We do not use seclusion as a treatment practice.

Length of stay varies based on each youth’s clinical needs, treatment progress, and authorization requirements. Residential treatment is designed to stabilize symptoms, build adaptive skills, and prepare youth to transition to a less restrictive setting.

To set all youth up for success when they leave Headwaters, we start discharge planning as soon as someone is admitted. These plans focus on building a safe transition to the least restrictive appropriate level of care, in coordination with families, community providers, and referral partners.

Headwaters Behavioral Health encourages open communication and welcomes feedback from youth, families, and legal guardians. Concerns may be shared directly with treatment team members or program leadership at any time.

We also maintain a formal grievance process to ensure concerns are documented, reviewed promptly, and appropriately addressed. Youth and families are informed of their rights and the grievance process upon admission.

Education & Family Involvement

Do youth attend school while in treatment?

Yes. Educational services are provided through ICON School District (Idaho Connects Online School) using a structured, state-approved virtual learning model. Youth complete online coursework during designated academic periods with supervised computer access and a supportive learning environment to maintain academic engagement and accountability.

When applicable, we collaborate with the youth’s home school district, IEP/504 teams, probation officers, and case managers to support credit continuity, accommodations, and transition planning.

Yes, family therapy and caregiver engagement are essential components of treatment. We collaborate closely with parents, guardians, and legal stakeholders to strengthen communication, reinforce skill development, and support a successful return home or transition to the next level of care.

Insurance & Accreditation

Are you currently contracted with insurance plans?

Headwaters Behavioral Health is currently licensed as a Children’s Residential Treatment Facility (CRTF) in Idaho and is actively pursuing Joint Commission accreditation as part of our preparation for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) designation upon accreditation completion.

We are actively finalizing contracts with Idaho Medicaid and select commercial insurance plans. Our admissions team can help you navigate available payment options based on your situation.

Regulatory Context

Headwaters Behavioral Health operates within Idaho’s residential care regulatory framework. The Idaho Legislature is currently considering proposals that may affect oversight, licensing requirements, facility documentation, and youth rights for residential care facilities. We are monitoring these developments closely and will update our practices if and as any new requirements take effect. 

Program Launch Notice

Headwaters Behavioral Health is currently accepting a limited number of admissions during our phased program launch while completing The Joint Commission accreditation and payer contracting. Bed availability may be limited during this initial phase.

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