For KEEPS Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are the children you serve?
For KEEPS accepts children ages 5 to 17. It is recommended that 5-year-old patients have already begun kindergarten.
How do I refer a child to For KEEPS?
Anyone can make a referral by calling our front desk at 732-565-5494, including: parents, schools, hospitals, doctor’s offices, case managers, etc. After a referral is initiated, it must be completed with a parent/guardian before an appointment will be scheduled.
How are services paid? Does For KEEPS accept insurance?
For KEEPS is a Medicaid provider. Services are billed directly to the child’s Medicaid insurance. School services are billed to the school district.
What services are provided at the For KEEPS program?
Children primarily participate in group therapy throughout the day. During the school year, they complete two hours of academic work each day. They also have an assigned therapist who will conduct a weekly individual session with the child. Parents/guardians will also participate in a weekly family meeting with both the therapist and psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will do an initial psychiatric evaluation at admission, continued evaluation while at program, and any medication management that is needed. Lunch is provided for all patients.
What is the average length of stay at For KEEPS?
Children attend program daily, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The average length of stay is 8 to 12 weeks. The length of stay will be discussed with the doctor and therapist at the weekly family meetings to determine when the child is ready to transition out of program.
How many children are in a group?
On average there are five to seven children per group with one to two staff members. The groups generally span a two-year age range to allow the children to speak about developmentally appropriate topics and do their academic work with other children on a similar grade level.
Is my child required to take medication if they attend the program?
No, your child is not required to take medication if they attend the For KEEPS program. Many of the children in our program do not take medication and benefit from the therapeutic and behavioral interventions in the program. If they are recommended for medication, that will be a conversation between the parent and the doctor during the weekly family meeting. If a child is on medication, the medication will be monitored by the program psychiatrist throughout their time at program.
How will my child do their school work while at program?
During the school year, children will receive two hours of academic instruction during their day. This is considered homebound instruction while they are at the program. Our program contracts with Brookfield Academy to have teachers on staff to work with the children. The child’s therapist and the teacher will remain in contact with your child’s assigned school to make sure they are completing the appropriate school work and provide academic updates. At times, parents may be asked to pick up books from the school to send in with their child.
Is transportation provided to and from the For KEEPS program?
Limited transportation is available for some patients depending on availability and their location. This is decided on a case by case basis and can be discussed at referral.
Are there any issues/diagnoses that would exclude my child from the program?
For KEEPS does not specialize in any substance abuse or eating disorder treatment. If these are primary issues for a child, we would recommend treatment at another facility that can provide the necessary focus of their treatment.
What is expected of parents while the child is in the For KEEPS program?
Parental involvement is a key component to the success of our program. We ask parents to be very involved in the treatment process from the referral up until the day of discharge. Parents will be required to participate in a family meeting with the therapist and psychiatrist weekly to be involved in their child’s treatment. We also ask that parents make sure they can be contacted regularly so that any unexpected issues can be discussed immediately. Some additional responsibilities may include applying interventions recommended by the therapist, picking up medications recommended by the doctor, and/or attending recommended meetings with the school.
What are the COVID-19 protocols in place?
The COVID-19 protocols include: daily health screenings for both patients and staff; universal masking; social distancing; hourly sanitizing of high touch areas (desks, doorknobs, etc.); increased hand hygiene; limited capacity; and telehealth services (when applicable). These protocols are subject to change as the public health emergency evolves.
Where is For KEEPS located?
For KEEPS is located in the Saint Peter’s Family Health Center at 123 How Lane, New Brunswick, NJ