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Morning Star Boys’ Ranch has a contract with the Department of Social and Health Services and accepts referrals from Region 1 state offices facilitated by the Region 1 Group Care Coordinator. State fees are set forth in the DSHS contact.
The Ranch also accepts referrals directly from families who live in the Greater Spokane area, can commit to weekly visits with their son, and weekly participation in treatment activities. Private placements are evaluated on a case by case basis.
Listed below is the Admission Criteria for Morning Star. However, youth meeting admission criteria does not guarantee entry into the program. There is a very involved intake process that will help parents understand our program/services–allowing
them to make sure this is a good fit for their child and family. The intake process also provides our staff the necessary
information to determine if we have the skills/treatment and programs to meet the child and family needs.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
Due to the nature of our program, staffing capacities, facility location, and resident population, the following criteria will be carefully evaluated during the admissions process:
• Male child between the ages of 10 and 17 years old at intake. Preference may be given to those ages 14 years and younger.
• Both Private and State Behavioral Rehabilitation Services (BRS) referred youth will be considered for placement. However, priority will be given to State (BRS) referrals due to our contract with DSHS.
• Washington resident from the greater Spokane area or significant local resources with the intent of being discharged within this community due to the family-centered philosophy of our program. Morning Star does not generally accept out-of-state or out-of-area referrals.
• Family involvement and participation is expected in regular visitation as well as treatment. This will be more clearly defined for families of admitted youth during the orientation process.
• Emotional and/or behavioral problem(s) that prevent success in a less restrictive environment.
• Low risk of fire setting.
• Low risk of serious physical aggression.
• Low risk of serious sexualized behavior and/or sexual aggression. A “S.A.Y” (Sexually Aggressive Youth) evaluation may be requested to establish youth’s level of risk.
• Criminal history and/or pending charges may be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Children with severe and persistent mental health issues will be assessed to ensure a goodness of fit with our program goals and services.
• Residents must have the ability to benefit from cognitive and insight-oriented components of our program. This may be established by school placements, testing, and/or other standardized tests which indicate a Full-Scale IQ of 70 or greater. We are not equipped to serve the needs of youth with developmental disabilities.
• Absence of active abuse or addiction to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. Verified successful completion of appropriate treatment and sobriety at the time of admission may be considered.
• Score of 60 or less on the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). This will be assessed during the initial screening process with the Morning Star admissions team.
• Placement at Morning Star is voluntary. Therefore, the resident and support system must demonstrate motivation for change.
• Morning Star is a long-term program and does not typically provide crisis services, respite care, or immediate placement. The admissions process can take a significant amount of time, as outlined below. If emergent services are needed, appropriate referrals to other resources will be given.
• Need for structured residential setting to protect the safety of the child, others, and/or the community at large; less restrictive services have been exhausted and unsuccessful; transitional living setting in preparation for a more permanent placement is necessary; require placement for approximately 12 and 18 months (though the actual length of stay may vary significantly by individual circumstances).
Morning Star reserves the right to accept or deny any referral for placement based upon the agency’s assessment of goodness of fit. Admissions decisions will be made without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical handicap or disability that does not prevent a resident from benefiting of our program, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.
To ask questions about the program or check for openings please contact Brian Barbour, Senior Vice President-Programs at (509) 448-1099
or email him at: brian@morningstarboysranch.org
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