Admission Guide
A step-by-step guide to enrolling your child in our behavioral health and education programs.
If you believe that our programs would benefit the health and life of your child, admission into our school may be appropriate. It is up to you, the parent or guardian, to start the admission process. Sometimes this can seem intimidating or overwhelming. We’ve provided this step-by-step guide to help you. Contact Us if you have any further questions or concerns.
STEP 1: START THE PROCESS AT YOUR CHILD’S CURRENT SCHOOL.
We suggest you request a meeting with someone from your child’s current school. The best staff to meet with would be a guidance counselor, principal, assistant principal, school psychologist, or social work staff.
When you meet, talk to them about the concerns you have for your child. Be specific. Don’t be afraid to ask what kind of concerns the staff may have about your child’s progress.
Discuss the possibility of getting an evaluation for your child. The current school will consider the concerns and the performance of your child. They’ll decide if an evaluation is appropriate.
STEP 2: GET AN EVALUATION AND REFERRAL FOR YOUR CHILD.
Once the decision is made for an evaluation, the school psychologist can ensure it’s completed. The evaluation will help determine mental status, IQ, emotional function, social history, and educational needs.
You may also work with: The NYC School Based Support Team (SBST) or Central Based Support Team (CBST). The committee that makes the referral will send the paperwork to us if they determine it is appropriate. You can call or email us if you want to make sure we received it.
However, rest assured that once we have it, we’ll move on to step 3.
STEP 3: LIFELINE CENTER STAFF WILL REVIEW THE PAPERWORK.
Once we receive the paperwork from the referring committee, our staff will make sure everything is in order. We’ll also check to see if the diagnosis falls within the scope of our treatment expertise.
STEP 4: YOU’LL RECEIVE AN INVITATION FOR A VISIT AND INTAKE SCREENING.
The Lifeline Center staff will contact you to schedule a time for your family to visit us. During your visit, we’ll do our own intake screening.
You’ll meet with our psychiatrist. They’ll gather some additional information from you, and spend some time speaking with your child.
STEP 5: GET A SNEAK PEEK INSIDE OUR PROGRAM AND JOIN A CLASS.
While you’re at Lifeline Center, you’ll experience our wonderful environment. You’ll have the chance to see the facility, check out the services we offer, and meet with some of our staff.
We want you to ask questions so that we can address all of your concerns. Your child will even have the chance to join a class at their grade level!
STEP 6: LIFELINE WILL MAKE A DECISION ON ADMISSION AND NOTIFY YOU.
After your visit, the staff who met with your child will meet with each other. They will determine if Lifeline Center is a good fit.
We’ll make the decision as soon as possible. It’s not uncommon for the decision to be made within 24-48 hours of the intake screening.
