BRIDGE CENTER OF SCHENECTADY, INC.

    Community-Based Substance Abuse Services     

BRIDGE CENTER OF SCHENECTADY, INC.

REFERRAL/ADMISSIONS POLICY

 

The Bridge Center Residential Program is an intensive residential environment, designed to provide 24-hour supervised clinical services to patients who require a structured, behaviorally oriented milieu. It is a long-term program (9 to 12 months) for those who have a chronic relapsing history and are unable to secure sobriety in a less restrictive treatment setting.

 

In order to make a referral for admission consideration, please provide a psychological or other clinical document  (discharge summary) that contains a diagnosis and background history of the individual. In addition, collateral information (i.e., medical reports, psychological evaluations) is requested. All of this information can be mailed, faxed or dropped off at the Bridge Center. All information provided should be as comprehensive and current as possible.

 

In addition to the clinical material, we find it useful for the prospective resident to have a tour of our facility and a face-to-face screening interview. This usually lasts about 2-3 hours. For those who are incarcerated or unable to make an on-site appointment, we conduct telephone or off-site screenings.

 

The Bridge Center understands that timing is critical to admission and attempts to complete the assessment and decision-making process within five working days.

 

Applicants are screened to determine demographic appropriateness according to the following guidelines. Patients must:

· be male, 17 years of age or older.

· be from NY state, with preference given to Schenectady County residents. Consideration will be given to those from bordering counties

· not present severe psychiatric symptoms requiring crisis services or with a diagnosis of major depression and/or thought disorders. Applicants who will have difficulty securing psychiatric services for necessary medications (I.e., prescription management) may be ineligible for admission

· be able to ambulate in a facility that is not handicapped accessible. Likewise, applicants who present with a significant medical problem requiring extensive medical care (I.e., uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled seizure disorders, et al) may be ineligible for admission

· not have recent history of assault, explosive, homicidal or suicidal behavior

· not have a history of pedophilia or fire-setting

· not present with cognitive disorders that will impinge on the ability to follow the prescribed course of treatment in a fast-paced group setting

· demonstrate reasonable motivation to participate in a highly structured therapeutic environment

 

Applicants will not be denied admission based solely on  any one or a combination of the following:

· prior treatment or referral source

· maintenance on methadone or other medication prescribed and monitored by a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner familiar with the patient’s condition

· history of contact with the criminal justice system

· HIV and AIDS status

· physical or mental disability

· lack of cooperation by significant others in the treatment process

 

If a prospective patient does not meet the eligibility criteria for admission, the applicant will be advised of local programs that are designed to meet their individual needs.

 

Please call (518) 346-1277 with questions or to confer about a prospective applicant’s  eligibility for admission.