Q.  what kind of crisis causes a family to consider enrolling their child/youth at Bethel?

A.  some of the more common reasons children/youth are enrolled at Bethel include:  family functioning issues that impact the ability to care for the children in the home; family illness; family conflict; teen pregnancy; divorce; loss of job or housing; abandonment; truancy; behaviors are unmanageable by the caregivers in the home; or other family crises. 

Q.  how do I make the decision as a parent to enroll my child in Bethel Bible Village?

A.  you should realize that when your child is enrolled in one of our programs, he or she will be living in one of our campus homes while they are enrolled. the actual enrollment period will vary with each family's situation. average enrollment term is 9-12 months. if you believe your child can best benefit from an out-of-home setting, and that your child meets the minimum requirements for enrollment (see admission guidelines), we encourage you to contact our admissions office to see if we have openings. if you have not yet sought appropriate services that allow your child to remain in your home, we encourage you to consider them. such other services could include individual and family counseling, parenting classes, anger management classes, special tutoring, etc.

Q.  what if we have not participated in any other type of services to help my child and family to address our issues?

A. we recommend you contact your local mental health center or school guidance counselor who can point you to community based resources to begin your family’s journey toward healing. our local 211 agency can assist with referrals at this link www.211.org

Q.   how is a child/youth enrolled at Bethel?

A.  the child’s guardian must make application for services, provide pertinent information, participate in a meeting with admissions staff and be able to articulate the goal of out of home placement. 

Q.  will I need to give up custody of my child to get help from Bethel?

A.  legal custody remains with the parent/guardian during the period of placement. the parent/guardian signs a placement agreement which allows Bethel staff to secure and provide services to a child while living here.  when a parent/guardian is ready to bring the child back into the home, they sign a discharge form to end the out of home placement. 

Q.  does Bethel accept insurance payment for services?

A.  Bethel strives to ensure our services are affordable to families. while we do not accept insurance payment, fees are assessed on a sliding scale based on family size and income. no child in need of care will be denied services based on inability to pay.

Q.  will I lose my state benefits, child support payment or Social Security payment if I place my child?

A.  Bethel Bible Village should become the assigned payee for Social Security payments to offset the cost of services to a child placed in our homes. once that is determined, the family will not be expected to provide additional payments for services. we have no jurisdiction over other benefits such as ‘Families First’, but we are required to notify DHS if a child is placed with us who receives Medicaid benefits in a family case. child support payments may be declared on the family income statement and used to determine the monthly fee on a sliding fee scale or assigned in the same manner as social security benefits.  

Q.  what happens to my child’s school placement when they come to Bethel?

A.  Bethel children have access to the following schools in the Hixson area: Big Ridge Elementary, Hixson Middle, Hixson High, and Sequoyah Vocational. student’s in grades 9-11 may attend the Bethel campus school. students age 16 and over may attend Hamilton County Adult High School. if a child is enrolled in a Hamilton County Magnet school, it is possible to work with the school district to ensure transportation is available to allow the child to stay in the program. the guardian will be required to fulfill magnet school obligations, such as volunteer hours. 

Q.  as a guardian, what would be required of me if I place my child with Bethel?

A.  guardians are required to participate in planning the child’s individual program, maintain contact with the child, the Bethel Case Manager, and the direct care staff during the period of the child’s enrollment, to provide financial support, and to cooperate with Bethel’s family intervention programs. our goal is to strengthen the family system through our services, recommendations and support. 

Q.  how long does a child/youth attend Bethel?

A.  the enrollment period depends on the child and the family’s need, so length of placement is determined during the first child and family team meeting. average enrollment period for most children/youth is 9-12 months.

Q.  what if I want to withdraw my child from the program early?

A.  because you are the legal guardian you may withdraw your child at any time during the process. early withdrawal is strongly discouraged. the most successful placement is the one that ends as planned by the treatment team, of which the guardian is a member. allowing a child to complete their program as planned reduces the likelihood that the child will need to access similar services in the future. 

Q.  what if I withdraw my child from the program then I realize they returned home too soon?

A.  families may reapply for services if the need still exists and the child is under age 18. the application will be evaluated based on the current issues of the family. a new plan will be developed and implemented for that stay.    

Q.  how long does it take to get through the admissions process?

A.  our goal is to move from application to placement within 7-10 days. guardians are responsible for completing the admission documents, gathering and submitting necessary information, returning all needed documents to the admission department and for participating in the admission meeting. any delay at any point prolongs the potential placement of the child. 

Q.  what is the next step if I plan to pursue Bethel’s placement services?

A.  download, complete, and submit the application as an email attachment at this link or submit the application by mail or in person to Office of Admissions, 3001 Hamill Road, Hixson TN  37343. One last option is to fax completed application to: ATTENTION Admissions Office, 423-842-5785. Someone will be in touch with you within 3 days in response to your application.

Q.  how do I get additional information about enrollment?

A.  contact David Shinn at this link.