FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a full continuum of all-inclusive residential mental health care. As residents move through this continuum, independent living skills are carefully practiced and slowly become the responsibility of the resident. 24/7 staff support is available throughout the entirety of our continuum of care.

When a resident first arrives they are expected to participate in group programming as well as their individual appointments with their psychiatrist, therapist, and other support staff. Medication administration is directly supervised by staff. Residents live in a house that is staffed around the clock with awake direct care professionals. Residents are also supported in pursuing Community Integration such as paid employment, volunteer work, or furthering their education.

Once a resident has obtained a minimum of 10-25 hours of consistent Community Integration and is actively participating in their clinical goals, there is a natural transition into a step-down level of care. At this stage in our continuum, there is still staff support available 24/7, and residents are given more independence. They may be able to use a personal vehicle, have more time in the community without staff present, remain in the house without staff present, self-administer medication, and create a modified daily schedule.

The next organic internal step in our continuum is our semi-independent level that continues to engage a resident’s independence while actively participating in their clinical goals. Staffing and milieu models have not changed, yet residents may opt to not rely on as often as in the other more intensive levels. This level often reflects what a resident’s daily life may resemble after discharge.

This continuum of care is designed to help residents move naturally and thoughtfully towards independence. However, residents often have to move back and forth throughout the continuum as clinically indicated. After successfully completing the semi-independent level of care, a resident may be offered the option to transition to Supported Living. This is not considered residential treatment as the resident would obtain their own housing. They would be able to continue to see their clinical team at ClearView Communities for a period of 6 months while they connect with other outpatient providers.

Our average length of stay is 12-18 months, though it varies based on an individual’s unique needs. We are a long-term residential program, so we ask that residents anticipate at least the average length of stay as they consider admission to ClearView Communities. Many residents stay at ClearView Communities longer than that as well as the become a part of the community through work/school and are active in the clinical program.

Please see the Admissions page for instructions on how to complete a referral for admission.  After a referral is completed, the Admissions Manager will reach out to you to discuss the next steps.  We will ask a potential resident to sign a release of information for any current or previous providers or hospitals where they have received care, so that we can begin to collect clinical records.  We will also conduct interviews with a potential resident and their support system to obtain further clinical information.  The Admissions Committee (which consists of the Executive Director, Medical Director, Psychiatrist, Clinical Director, Program Director, and Admissions Manager) then meets to review all information provided and make a final decision on admission.  This is a deliberate process to ensure that the most appropriate decision is made for all parties.  Please be advised we cannot accept urgent or emergent admissions due to this process.
We are in-network with Carefirst (Maryland’s product of Blue Cross Blue Shield) and the BCBS Federal Employee Program.  We are unable to work with other insurance companies, including any other form of Blue Cross Blue Shield

Our Residential Mental Health Treatment Program costs $22,500 per month. This all-inclusive self-pay cost includes room and board, all clinical and support services, fees for community activities, etc. Not included in these costs are copays for medications and laboratory fees, and any copays for providers outside of ClearView Communities (for example, a primary care physician or medical specialist).

The Supported Living program costs $5,500 per month and is approved on a case-by-case basis, following successful completion of the program.

*These rates are effective December 1, 2024, and will increase by 3% annually.

We generally serve younger adults, with an average age range of 18-35.  However, we have had many residents over the age of 35 successfully complete the program as well.
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.
We have five co-ed residences.  All bedrooms are single occupancy.  Two of our residences also have single bathrooms, and the other residences have shared bathrooms which are shared between two residents.  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.  There are also shared living spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens.  Please see the virtual tours provided on this page for a closer look at each of our residences.

The Admissions Committee 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 the residents currently in each home in order to try and maintain a peer group for residents.  This helps to navigate the transition to residential care for new residents.

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.  Residents are permitted to have their cell phones, laptops, and small electronic devices.  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.  We do not allow residents to have TV’s in their bedrooms.  There is a TV in the common area of each residence.

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.  Residents work collaboratively with our Employment and Educational Specialists to look for competitive employment, volunteer opportunities, or educational opportunities in the Frederick community.  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.

Animals are not permitted at ClearView Communities.

Breakfast and lunch are informal meals, which residents prepare individually.  Dinner is a more formal meal where residents are encouraged to eat together.  Each resident is responsible for cooking dinner one night per week.  Staff assists in designing the meal and teaching cooking skills.  Groceries are purchased by staff using a collaborative list between residents and staff.  We will not purchase sodas, energy drinks, or junk food for the house.

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.

The main difference between the two programs is the purpose of each. The diagnostic program has an intensive clinical focus to obtain a clear psychiatric diagnosis, whereas the residential program focuses more on community integration and psychosocial rehabilitation. The diagnostic program is also a time-limited, 30-day program; whereas the average length of stay for the residential program is 12-18 months.

Each participant of the diagnostic program will receive a comprehensive discharge plan which may or may not include the recommendation for long-term residential treatment at a treatment center such as ClearView. These recommendations will be made by the clinical team and will be reviewed with the family throughout discharge planning. It is a large time and financial commitment to attend the residential program at ClearView Communities, and will not be suited for each participant in the diagnostic program.

Each member of the diagnostic program will be living in one of our five residential homes. This means that they will cohabitate with other program members, as well as with residents of the residential program at ClearView Communities.

The cost of the diagnostic program is $30,000 for 30 days. This cost includes all clinical and residential services while in our program. There is also a $1,000 refundable security deposit that will be returned upon discharge, barring any property damage. We ask that the full amount be paid at the time of admission to the diagnostic program.

We will do everything we can to obtain reimbursement from your insurance company. The amount of reimbursement is solely dependent on your insurance provider. We cannot offer an estimate of what may be reimbursed, and we cannot guarantee any coverage or authorization from an insurance provider.

Each participant in the diagnostic program will receive a comprehensive discharge plan upon completion of the program. If they do not qualify for residential treatment at ClearView, we will provide the information for other residential programs that would efficiently meet their clinical needs. If a different level of care would be effective, information for these resources will be provided as well.

Our residents have the capacity to make positive changes in their lives.

Recovery From Mental Illness Is Possible.

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Our mission is to create a superior therapeutic residential experience for persons with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders. We offer a unique and comprehensive program for adults who are seeking recovery and independent living in the community.

MAIN CAMPUS
611 W. Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701

License No. MH-863 State of Maryland. ClearView Communities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.