FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General and Admission
Q – DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE? WHAT TYPE OF INSURANCE DO YOU ACCEPT?
A – Yes, your insurance may cover a portion of licensed, chemical dependency treatment and mental health services. We accept insurance for many providers; we may be out of network for some.
- Our Admissions team will request your insurance information and discuss your coverage and benefits with you.
- Our Admissions team can schedule a comprehensive assessment or Rule 25 assessment, if needed. All clients seeking help with substance use require an assessment.
- Clients will be billed for the services that insurance does not cover; our Admissions team will discuss in detail so there are never any surprises.
- Limited scholarships may be available, based on need. We offer a payment plan, and we also work with a treatment program lender, should you wish to apply for financing.
No, we do not accept insurance for our Therapeutic Boarding School/Behavioral Rehabilitation program.
- Limited scholarships may be available, based on need. We offer a payment plan and also work with a treatment program lender, should you wish to apply for financing.
Q – HOW MUCH DOES YOUR PROGRAM COST?
A – Our services at Lakeside Academy include general program costs, chemical dependency and mental health treatment services, behavioral therapy, plus room and board. There is no additional charge for client enrollment in the local Southwest Metro school district (Intermediate school district 288).
For licensed chemical dependency treatment and mental health services:
The cost of services for your son will depend on your son’s needs as assessed during a clinical evaluation, and in combination with a review of applicable healthcare insurance. Our goal is to minimize your out of pocket expenses, while ensuring your son receives the appropriate level of services and care. MN residents may qualify for additional funding support; our Admissions team will provide more information.
For therapeutic boarding school and behavioral health services:
Financial assistance may be available to MN residents based on need. Please contact our admissions team to discuss costs.
Health/Medical insurance does not cover tuition for residential behavioral programs. However, if supplemental mental health, drug treatment, or other medical services are required while your son is enrolled at Lakeside Academy, then personal insurance may cover a portion of costs.
Q – ARE THERE ANY SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?
A – Limited financial scholarships may be available, based on need, to cover a portion of program costs. Our Admissions team has more information.
Q – WHAT IS THE TYPICAL LENGTH OF STAY?
A – Our program is divided into 4 levels and takes between 6 and 12 months to complete, depending on the student’s engagement. Most complete in about 9 months. Our admissions team can provide more information about how student’s progress through the four levels.
Q – WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND A LONG-TERM PROGRAM?
A- Studies show that it often takes up to a full year for adolescents to let go of bad habits and create new healthy behaviors. When boys graduate from our program, most admit to us (and their parents) that “real changes” in their thinking and values started to take place after after they decided to engage — within 3-6 months at Lakeside Academy… and only then did they dig in to complete the program and make true and lasting changes.
Our program is made up of 4-levels and typically takes 6-12 months to complete depending on one’s engagement; most will complete in about 9 months.
Q – WHY A CHRISTIAN PROGRAM?
A – As a Christian Behavior and Recovery Center, we’ve used Christian principles to develop our program and curriculum, and we rely on those principles in all that we do. While at Lakeside Academy, we encourage each student to develop his own personal relationship with Christ.
Q – MY CHILD IS NOT A CHRISTIAN (HE IS MUSLIM, BUDDHIST, JEWISH, ETC.) – CAN HE STILL ATTEND LAKESIDE ACADEMY?
A – Yes, your son may attend Lakeside Academy regardless of faith or religion. However, we are a Christian Behavior and Recovery Center. If a Christian program is not what you are seeking, we may recommend our Minneapolis center for your son. There, he would be able to receive chemical treatment and mental health services in a secular (not faith-based) environment, if he so chooses.
Q – WHAT CAN I BRING?
A – See Packing List.
Q – DO YOU ALLOW SMOKING?
A – No, Lakeside Academy is a tobacco free environment. All cigarettes, e-cigs, vaping and chewing tobacco are prohibited.
Q – WILL YOU ACCEPT MY SON IF HE IS ON MEDICATIONS?
A – Yes, but there are some requirements. Medications should be discussed early in the application process. Students who come into the program on medication must come under the care of a local doctor. Many students have been able to reduce or completely eliminate their need for medications once their behavior stabilizes. Any medication changes will be handled through a licensed physician. It is understood that some students will need to stay on medications for the duration of the program.
Q – WHAT MEDICATIONS MAY MY SON TAKE WHILE AT LAKESIDE ACADEMY?
A – We do not admit residential clients who are taking prescription narcotics. (See Prohibited Medications list in the application.) Clients are allowed to take approved, prescribed non-narcotic medications. Our Admissions counselors can provide more information.
Q – DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE WILLING IN ORDER TO BE ADMITTED TO LAKESIDE ACADEMY?
A – We understand that a troubled teen boy may be reluctant to come to any program.
For a behaviorally-challenged boy with minor or no substance abuse issues, we require only that he is aware that he is coming to Lakeside Academy and that he walks in under his own power (i.e. he is not forcibly dragged into a building). We are not a lock-down facility or a crisis-care facility.
For a boy in need of licensed treatment for substance use disorder, we require that he is open to receiving treatment, as this will impact his outcome and ability to break any addiction.
Q – CAN STUDENTS EARN HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS WHILE THEY ARE AT LAKESIDE ACADEMY?
A – Yes, while at Lakeside Academy your son will be enrolled in the local Southwest Metro school district. Students have the ability to earn high school credits, which can allow them to graduate, or earned credits may be transferred to either private or public schools following the student’s completion of their program.
Q – HOW QUICKLY CAN MY SON COME IN?
A – If beds are available, the Admission process typically takes 2-14 days. An intake may take place as soon as your application and supplemental paperwork has been submitted, reviewed and accepted, and initial tuition and deposit fees are paid.
Our Intake process includes an assessment of:
– Type and level of care required
– Mental health status/mental health medications
– Medical conditions/prescribed medications
– Legal status, past and present
– Funding eligibility
Programs and Therapy
Q – HOW QUICKLY CAN MY SON COME IN?
A – If beds are available, the Admission process typically takes 2-14 days. An intake may take place as soon as your application and supplemental paperwork has been submitted, reviewed and accepted, and initial tuition and deposit fees are paid.
Our Intake process includes an assessment of:
– Type and level of care required
– Mental health status/mental health medications
– Medical conditions/prescribed medications
– Legal status, past and present
– Funding eligibility
Q – WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU OFFER?
A – Lakeside Academy is a Christian Behavior and Recovery Center for teen boys 14 to 18, who are heading down the wrong path due to substance use, anger management, and other behavioral issues.
Our core program is a 4-level behavior rehabilitation program, with additional licensed chemical dependency treatment and mental health services provided to each student based on assessed need and his individual treatment plan. The program typically takes 12 months to complete, although some complete it in as few as 9 months.
The treatment approach we provide each student is based on an individual clinical assessment, a collaborative working relationship, and an empirical cognitive-behavioral treatment model that addresses the whole person (physical, emotional and spiritual needs). Our Admissions counselors can provide more detail based upon your son’s specific situation.
While at Lakeside Academy, all students are enrolled into the local public school district, Southwest Metro, and attend public school classes right at our campus.
Q – WHAT TYPE OF COUNSELING DO YOU OFFER?
A – We provide licensed chemical dependency treatment, mental health counseling, and cognitive-behavioral therapy — all based on the individual needs of each client. Counseling sessions typically include individual therapy as well as group sessions. Our treatment interventions are designed to help clients manage their thinking, improve behaviors, and recover from substance use, as necessary.
Academics
Q – IN WHAT TYPE OF SCHOOL WILL MY SON BE ENROLLED?
A – While at Lakeside Academy, your son will be enrolled in the local public school (Southwest Metro school district – Intermediate school district 288) and attend classes onsite at Lakeside Academy. He will participate in a mix of learning modalities including conventional (classroom) learning, online learning, and project-based learning opportunities.
Q – WHAT IS THE RATIO OF TEACHERS TO STUDENTS AT SOUTHWEST METRO SCHOOL WHILE AT LAKESIDE ACADEMY?
A – The ratio of teachers to students is typically 1:10 or less, but this ratio will fluctuate based on enrollment. In no case will the ratio exceed 1:15.
Q – WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR SOUTHWEST METRO SCHOOL DISTRICT?
A – For the 2020/2021 school year, Southwest Metro will follow the normal public school calendar, with classes scheduled 5 days/week. Due to COVID-19, classes are currently taking place online, with staff supervision.
There will be normal breaks for MEA, Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, and Spring Break; during these times, your students may be asked to complete a special project or to pursue other project-based learning. Once your son is enrolled, specific dates and schedules will be provided to you.
Q – HOW CAN I CONTACT MY SON’S TEACHER?
A – Once your son is enrolled, his teachers will provide their cell phone numbers, and email addresses. In addition you will be encouraged to create a login/password on Cynergy, the parent communication site of Southwest Metro. Here, you may check your son’s attendance, view his grades and transcripts, etc.
Q – HOW CAN I SEE MY SON’S GRADES, ATTENDANCE, PROGRESS?
A – Once your son is enrolled into the onsite school, you will be encouraged to create a login/password on Cynergy, the parent communication site of Southwest Metro school district. Here, you may check your son’s attendance, view his grades and transcripts, etc. In addition, Southwest Metro sends our report cards quarterly.
Q – HOW DOES MY SON BECOME ENROLLED IN THE SOUTHWEST METRO SCHOOL DISTRICT?
A – 1. Please complete intake packet to become officially enrolled in SW Metro
2. SW Metro will contact the boy’s home district and pull in his records and history
3. Assessment: Each student will be assessed based on his current grade level, history, any existing IEPs along with his comprehension of reading, math, science, and social studies in accordance with Minnesota standards
4. A personalized learning plan will be created for each student, based on his assessment results.
Q – MY SON WAS ON AN IEP IN HIS HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT; HOW WILL THAT BE TRANSITIONED TO THE SOUTHWEST METRO SCHOOL DISTRICT?
A – Once your son is enrolled in the Southwest Metro school district, operated onsite at Lakeside Academy, our program staff will contact your son’s home school district to integrate his records and history, including any existing IEPs, into his academic plans.
Q – IS SOUTHWEST METRO A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL?
A – No, Southwest Metro is part of the local public school district. It is a secular program being administered onsite at our faith-based residential facility.
Q – AT WHAT PACE WILL MY SON’S EDUCATION BE ADMINISTERED? HE IS BEHIND AND NEEDS TO MAKE UP CLASSES OR CREDITS. HE IS AHEAD AND DESIRES TO STAY AHEAD.
A – Learning pace: The education for each student is highly personalized; the pace of the curriculum will be based on his abilities and on his personal learning plan, IEP, or 504 plan. Many students graduate high school while attending Lakeside Academy. When that occurs, they may begin to take college classes online.
Other
Q – DOES MN ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE OWN LAKESIDE ACADEMY?
A – Yes. Lakeside Academy is a program of Mn Adult & Teen Challenge (MnTC), a non-profit organization.
Q – WHAT LICENSES DO YOUR STAFF MEMBERS CARRY?
A – Our staff members have the following credentials:
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC)
• Licensed Mental Health Professionals (MHP)
• Licensed Minnesota Teachers
• Pastoral counselors are also licensed in the State of Minnesota
Q – WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT THAN OTHER RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES?
A – We are a Christian Behavior and Recovery Center, blessed with an incredible staff, and with an extraordinary location and facilities. We offer one of the lowest tuition levels in the industry, thanks to our generous donors. We provide licensed chemical dependency treatment, mental health counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy and character formation courses designed to help establish a strong foundation for long-term success. We accept most insurance which may cover a portion of CD and mental health services. Our students attend MN licensed public school, on-site at our facility, with a student to teacher ratio of 10:1. We offer project-based learning and a variety of outdoor activities throughout our 48-acre site.
Q – WHAT TYPE OF COUNSELING DO YOU OFFER?
A – We provide licensed chemical dependency treatment, mental health counseling, and cognitive-behavioral therapy — all based on the individual needs of each client. Counseling sessions typically include individual therapy as well as group sessions. Our treatment interventions are designed to help clients manage their thinking, improve behaviors, and recover from substance use, as necessary.
Q – WHAT TYPE OF TREATMENT DO YOU OFFER?
A – We provide licensed chemical dependency treatment, mental health counseling, and cognitive-behavior therapy. The treatment approach we provide each student is based on an individual clinical assessment, a collaborative working relationship, and an empirical cognitive-behavioral treatment model that addresses the whole person (physical, emotional and spiritual needs).