Overview
LifeCourse Academy (LCA) is an alternative learning and therapeutic program developed and operated in conjunction with the Wake Public Schools System (WCPSS), as well as, the Wake Local Management Entity (LME).
The primary purpose of the Wake Juvenile Day Treatment Center (WJDTC) program component is to provide daily assessment, evaluation, therapeutic, and clinical support to adolescents who are experiencing serious emotional and/or behavioral challenges. The program works in collaboration with the family, program participant, therapeutic support staff, mental health workers, natural supports, educational representatives, and other clinical supports to provide mental health treatment in an attempt to improve the adolescent's life skills which are necessary for future success in home, school, and community settings. Treatment provided seeks to improve the adolescent's overall functioning and attempts to maximize the individual's potential for success in the least restrictive setting available that meets the adolescent's mental health needs. The goal is to identify the adolescent's strengths and pair them with their weaknesses in order to alleviate disturbances or delays in the developmental process, and to enhance family relationships, social interactions, and the ability to deal with everyday stresses. All programmatic efforts are designed to improve the adolescent's functioning by reducing psychiatric symptomology and assisting them with achieving self-sufficiency.
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General Structure
The WJDTC uses a multidisciplinary approach that combines comprehensive mental health and educational services. These critical services are an integral part and comprise the intensive milieu therapy provided. Additionally, an individualized clinical and educational plan is developed for each adolescent who has been previously identified as an Exceptional Student by the Wake County Public School System?s Department of Special Education Services. This can include an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or a Section 504 Plan in order to ensure compliance with the County?s guidelines. These plans are designed to meet emotional, social, behavioral and educational needs of the adolescent.
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Admission to the Program
Admission is based on criteria from two systems: the Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) and Wake County Human Services (WCHS). Consideration is given to each candidate based on the developmental, psychological, emotional and academic needs along with meeting clinical necessity for the service as determined by an appropriate licensed mental health professional. Once an adolescent has been identified as a candidate for day treatment services based on a mental health evaluation that assesses their strengths and needs, a referral to the program can be initiated. During this time, an authorization request must be submitted for approval to the adolescent's appropriate funding source which could include, WCHA Utilization Review Committee, Value Options (Medicaid), Health Choice or third party funding. In addition, self-pay would be an option based on a sliding fee scale set forth by the WCJDTC. If a referral is complete and includes all prerequisite documentation, then it will be forwarded to the Day Treatment Screening Committee for a comprehensive review to determine whether the adolescent is an appropriate candidate for the program. If approved, the Program Manager will initiate the enrollment process by conducting an intake meeting that includes the parent/guardian, adolescent, and lead agency provider. During the process, changes will be made to the Person-Centered Plan in order to include service delivery and add appropriate day treatment interventions that accommodate the specific needs of the adolescent. If placement is denied, then the referring mental health provider will be notified in writing regarding the reasons for the denial. Support in providing an alternative service strategy may occur in order to outline additional options available in the community that better suit the referred candidate's needs.
All complete referrals made to WJDTC will be considered for placement based on the following admission criteria:
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Exhibits a degree of emotional and behavioral disturbance which is significantly affecting his/her school, community and family or residential functioning.
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Diagnosis of a mental disorder as specified in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM IV) and substantiation of a functional deficit(s) as a result of the disorder.
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Must meet medical necessity for day treatment services as documented in a mental health assessment that states both the degree of disability and symptomatic clinical condition(s). This comprehensive assessment must be completed within one (1) year of initiating the referral to day treatment services and must include a social history and updated diagnosis.
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Active participation of the parents/guardians in the treatment process.
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Availability of a slot at the appropriate age/functional level of the adolescent.
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Must be currently enrolled as a Special Education Student in WCPSS, however, must not be currently serving a long-term suspension from WCPSS.
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Must have a home mental health agency to monitor the Person-Centered Plan process and streamline communication throughout all invested parties. The home agency must include first responder services.
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