Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average length of stay?
Every individual’s length of stay is based on their needs. However, the average length of stay is approximately 12-18 months for residents who successfully complete the program. Successful residents typically complete all of our graduated levels of care.
What are the different levels of care?
We offer four levels of care: 24/7, Step-Down, Semi-Independent, and Supported Living. They are designed to be completed in order, but many residents move back and forth between them. All new residents start at the highest level of care: 24/7, residents live in a house that is staffed around the clock with direct care professionals. Residents are expected to participate in all group programming as well as their individual appointments therapists, psychiatrists, and other professionals. Medication administration is directly supervised by staff. Residents are also encouraged to pursue different kinds of Community Integration: paid employment, volunteer work, or furthering their education.
Once they have obtained 15-20 hours of consistent Community Integration activities, a resident becomes eligible to transition into the Step-Down level of care. Step-Down increases the resident’s independence while maintaining active 24/7 staff support. Residents in Step-Down may use a personal vehicle, have a key to the house, remain in their house without staff, self-administer medication, and create a modified daily schedule.
Once they have obtained 25-30 hours of consistent Community Integration activities, a resident becomes eligible for the Semi-Independent level of care. Residents in Semi-Independent move to our Fairview house, where no more than four residents live at a time. Staffing is provided during the day but this level of care has more independence built into the schedule, and the house is essentially run by residents. There is a staff member who lives in a connected apartment in case of emergencies during the night. At this level of care, residents are also paired with a staff member for 1:1 practice of independent living skills. Residents assume responsibility for many more aspects of their life, including picking up medications and grocery shopping (whereas in the other levels of care staff are responsible for obtaining medications and purchasing food in collaboration with the residents).
After the Semi-Independent level, residents may be offered the option to transition to Supported Living. In this level of care, residents obtain their own housing but continue to come to CVC for therapy, psychiatry, and other routine services (such as meeting with an Employment Specialist) on an as-needed basis. Supported Living is only available to residents who have transitioned through the other levels of care in the program and has a cap of six months in length.
Do you accept insurance?
We are in-network with CareFirst at this time, which includes the Federal Employee Plan.
What is the cost of treatment?
Some residents and families will be able to utilize insurance benefits to cover the cost of treatment. Our fees for 24/7 are between $14,000.00 – $15,000.00 per month; Step-Down is $9,700.00 per month; and Semi-Independent is $7,000.00 per month. Supported Living costs $2,500.00 per month. These fees do not include copays for medications or appointments with professionals outside of ClearView (for example, a primary care physician).
What is the admissions process?
The Admission process begins by contacting our Admissions Manager, Lauren Hirsch, either by phone (301-360-5727) or email (Lhirsch@cvcmail.org). Lauren works with the referring individual and the potential resident to obtain clinical records, typically requiring a release of information for their current and past providers. These records are reviewed by the Admissions Team, which is comprised of our Medical, Executive, Clinical, and Program Directors, along with our Admissions Manager and Psychiatrist. Many criteria are considered, and the team works diligently to ensure that ClearView is a good fit for the potential resident.
After the Admissions Team provides its recommendation, Lauren will contact the family to inform them of the outcome. Lauren then schedules an in-person meeting with the potential resident and family members that are directly involved in treatment. A final determination is made by the Admissions Team based on these meetings.
What is the average age of residents?
Our residents tend to be young adults, ranging in age from 18 to 30 years old. However, we have had many residents over the age of 30 successfully graduate from the program.
What is the living situation like?
We have five residences and all bedrooms are single occupancy; residents do not share bedrooms. We have two houses with private bathrooms and three houses with shared bathrooms. Residents that would need to share a bathroom would only need to share it with one other resident.
Do residents cohabitate?
ClearView is an inclusive and affirming community and serves residents of all genders, orientations, and identities. Residents of the opposite sex do cohabitate. However, all residents have their own bedrooms and either a private bathroom or a shared bathroom with one other resident specifically matched for privacy.
How do you choose which house the resident goes to?
The Admissions Team looks at a variety of factors when considering which residence would be most appropriate for a new resident. We first look at which residence has open availability, then consider the severity of the potential resident’s symptoms: we tend to reserve our on-campus houses for those individuals who have a greater clinical need. We also consider which residents are currently in the home as this helps to ensure that any new resident will be able to find a peer group within their home, which will help set them up for success.
What are your electronics (cell phones, computers, video games) policy?
At ClearView Communities we believe in making treatment as close to real-life as possible, which includes learning to appropriately balance one’s time using electronics. We do not restrict the use of electronic devices upon admission. However, if concerns arise, the Treatment Team will work with the resident to establish a plan and help them work on healthy use of electronics.
Can residents have visitors or go home for the holidays?
Yes. We want residents to still be involved in their lives back home with family. However, visitors and leaves of absence must always be coordinated ahead of time to ensure resident safety. The Clinical Director is the primary contact to arrange family visits.
When is a resident allowed to begin working on Community Integration (work, volunteer, or school)?
Residents are encouraged to start this as soon as they identify their Community Integration goal(s). We do not have a “readiness model”; instead, we provide immediate support for any resident that identifies Community Integration as part of their recovery. We also do not place residents into sheltered jobs: residents work collaboratively with our Employment Specialists to look for competitive employment in the Frederick community. Residents go through a similar process when looking for volunteer or educational opportunities. Our Specialists work with the resident to understand their interests, experiences, and goals so that Community Integration opportunities serve the resident’s long-term life goals. We continue to provided support after a resident has obtained a position or started a class to the extent that a resident allows us to do so.
Can residents have animals or therapy/support animals?
We do not allow residents to have animals.
How are meals prepared?
Breakfast and lunch are informal meals, which residents prepare individually. Dinner is a more formal meal, where we try to eat together as a house. Each resident is responsible for cooking dinner for everyone in the house one night per week. Staff assists in designing the meal and teaching cooking skills. Grocery lists are created collaboratively between residents and staff within the residence. We will not purchase sodas, energy drinks, or junk food for the house.
Can you have a TV in the bedroom?
TV’s are not permitted in the individual bedroom. There is one shared TV located in the common area of each house.
Is tobacco use permitted on campus?
Residents may smoke cigarettes in designated outdoor smoking areas. Smoking cessation is available to any resident that expresses an interest in quitting tobacco, even if they have tried and failed to quit in the past. Vapes and e-cigarettes are not permitted: their health risks have not been scientifically established and they are easily modified to carry illicit substances that interfere with treatment.
Can residents have a personal vehicle?
Initially, residents are not permitted to have their own vehicles. However, part of the program entails working towards independence, which includes gaining access to one’s car. Residents in Step-Down or Semi-Independent levels of care may, therefore, use a personal vehicle. ClearView does not maintain off-campus parking and residents must park their vehicles at their own risk.
