Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are a healthcare professional, a prospective client or family member, or if you are planning to attend one of our many events, we understand that you likely have some questions about Skyland Trail. If you have any questions aside from the ones you see listed below, you can call us at 404.315.8333.
- How much independence does a residential client have?
- Can my loved one have passes to visit with family/friends away from Skyland Trail?
- Can my loved one have visitors at the Residence?
- How are Visitor Lists determined? How many visitors can a client have?
- How often does the family hear from the Primary Counselor?
- What items are allowed in the rooms at the Residence?
- What items are not allowed?
- Should my loved one bring cash to the Residence?
- What will my loved one do when not at in treatment at the Health and Education Center?
- Can family members attend LEAP activities and outings?
- How will my loved one’s treatment change over time?
- Will my loved one’s treatment at Skyland Trail be finished at the end of 45 days?
- Will Skyland Trail transport clients to AA meetings or church services?
- Can clients have a car?
- How is medication administered?
- Is there an after-hours person on-call for emergency issues?
- What happens if my loved one needs to be hospitalized?
- Who do I talk to about non-emergency medication concerns?
- What happens if my loved one leaves the program AMA (Against Medical Advice)?
- What is covered by my initial payment and routine payments to Skyland Trail?
- What is not covered?
The "level" system is used for residential clients' rights and opportunities for independence. All residential clients are on "observation" status for the first three days. During this time a client participates in therapeutic groups and sessions at the Health and Education Center, but no other activities away from the Residence. A client becomes eligible to move from Observation to Level 1 after three days of no behavior that warrants greater supervision. Clients remain on Level 1 for at least three weeks. A change is a client's level typically is determined by the treatment team. Levels are explained in more detail in the Residential Handbook. If you have additional questions, ask your loved one's Primary Counselor.
Passes are available for therapeutic purposes after the client has been in the residential program for one week and is on Level 1. On Level 1 a client is eligible for four-hour passes away from the Residence.
Family can visit during visiting hours. Non-family visitors may visit if on the client's visitor list.
Family members are automatically included. A client meets with his/her Primary Counselor to identify non-family who would be appropriate visitors. The Primary Counselor checks with family to confirm that those on the visitor list would not jeopardize treatment. The number of visitors allowed is determined by the client's Primary Counselor.
Typically a client's Primary Counselor speaks with family twice a month unless there is a situation that requires more frequent contact.
Cell phones can be brought to the Residence, but we ask clients not to bring cell phones to the Health and Education Center. Each client is responsible for providing personal hygiene products such as shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant. Skyland Trail provides soap, toilet paper, towels and sheets, laundry detergent and other cleaning supplies. If there are other items your loved one wants to bring, ask the Admissions staff or Primary Counselor.
The following are not allowed: weapons, razors, other sharp or dangerous items, drugs (other than the ones prescribed and monitored by staff), alcohol, computers (including laptops) and space heaters.
Admissions staff will ask you about leaving an allowance for your loved one. Clients may choose to hold their own money or have it held in the Business Office, where they can access it Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. If you need to write a check, please make it payable to your loved one and the staff will take him/her to the bank to cash it. Families typically leave no more than $20 per week.
LEAP (Life Enrichment Adult Program) activities are organized to provide fun, purposeful social opportunities for clients in treatment at Skyland Trail. Clients may participate after the initial 3-day Observation period. LEAP activities occur on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:00-8:00 PM at the Health and Education Center and on Saturdays and Sundays, at varying times depending on the nature of the activity.
LEAP is for clients only. Family members should take note of the LEAP schedule so you can plan your visits with loved ones at other times.
The intensity level of care is evaluated by the treatment team for each client. A client doing well may move to a less intensive level of care at or sooner than 45 days into the program, with the expectation that decreasing the level of care is beneficial for recovery.
Probably not. The duration of treatment varies with each client; however the average length of treatment is six months. Clients doing well will transfer to less-intensive care in order to encourage independence and community re-integration.
Unfortunately we are unable to transport clients to these activities. If the client is approved for passes and transportation can be arranged with approved visitors (for example, an AA sponsor, a family member or a volunteer from the church), then staff will work to facilitate attendance. Your loved one can discuss this with the Primary Counselor. A worship service is held on Sundays at 11 AM in the library at Skyland Trail South.
Vehicles are not allowed while clients are at Skyland Trail South. When a client moves to Skyland Trail North, a car is allowed after 30 days.
Medication is self-administered, supervised by residential/nursing staff at the Residence. A client's adherence to medications is reported to the treatment team.
A clinical staff person is always on-call in case an emergency arises.
There are occasions when a client requires a level of support not offered at Skyland Trail. The staff may determine that a client needs hospitalization for his or her safety. If the client is willing to transfer to the hospital, transportation is provided by staff. If a client poses an imminent risk to self or others, or is unwilling to admit voluntarily to the hospital, a Skyland Trail licensed clinical social worker or the Medical Director will arrange for involuntary commitment to a local hospital. Transportation in these cases is coordinated with local law enforcement or medical transportation services. Family will be notified immediately.
For all non-emergency treatment questions, the best person to consult is your loved one's Primary Counselor. The Primary Counselor can raise any concerns with the treatment team.
For a client to be discharged AMA, he or she must complete the required paperwork for discharge. The Primary Counselor will attempt to work with the client to plan for community follow-up treatment, if desired. Fees paid during admission for the initial 45 days will not be refunded. Even if discharged AMA, the client is always welcome to return to Skyland Trail for treatment.
Initial and monthly charges for Residential Treatment cover room and board, therapeutic groups and individual work with a primary counselor, evening and weekend outings, and transportation to any appointments. The initial fees also cover the first History and Physical in the Primary Care Clinic.
After the initial Primary Care Clinic appointment, additional fees may be applied for Primary Care Clinic services including sick visits, injected medications, bloodwork or drug screens. Routine psychiatrist appointments are billed separately from the initial/monthly charges. Medications are not covered by initial/monthly charges and will be billed separately.
