Question 1

What is the age range of the students you work with?

Accepted Answer

Females ages 16-24, males ages 16-21.

Question 2

What is the cost of your program?

Accepted Answer

No applicant will be turned away due to inability to pay. Program cost is based on a sliding scale which starts at $300 per month for families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) up to $35,000 per year, and increases $25/month per $1000 AGI to $6,000 per month if AGI exceeds $263,000 per year. A family's AGI is only part of the story, so your tuition may be even lower. We will take your unique situation into consideration and work with you to create a financial agreement that does not cause undue hardship on your family. In situations of great need, 100% scholarships are available.

Question 3

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

We do not bill insurance. Some families have been successful submitting counseling session fees to insurance for reimbursement.

Question 4

Can my child be on medication?

Accepted Answer

We do not accept students on psychological medications. If your child is on medications and CER seems like a good fit, talk with one of our counselors and your doctor.

Question 5

Are you a lockdown facility?

Accepted Answer

No. It is a voluntary program. It is structured and supervised.

Question 6

Do you accept court-ordered placements?

Accepted Answer

Court-ordered placements are varied and can be complex, so we handle these on a case by case basis. Our counselors are ready to talk through details to learn if this is a good fit for your family. A student must be willing to participate in our program.

Question 7

What is the typical length of stay for a student?

Accepted Answer

It is a minimum of one year, and it varies based on need. Our counselors work with the student and parents or guardians to determine program completion. Average stay is about 14-18 months.

Question 8

My child hasn’t finished high school. Are they able to continue their education on site?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and they can receive their California State high school diploma and participate in a cap and gown graduation ceremony.

Question 9

When can my child arrive?

Accepted Answer

The program is continuous year-round, so students can arrive nearly any time of the year as long as there’s an opening.

Question 10

How long is the intake process?

Accepted Answer

It can be as fast as two weeks, depending on availability of beds and how quickly the application process is completed.

Question 11

Do you take emergency placements?

Accepted Answer

No. We do have a list of other programs we can refer you to. (These are not formal recommendations, as we have not visited these programs.)

Question 12

How often will I be able to visit my child?

Accepted Answer

After an initial period of orientation and settling into the program, visits can happen approximately every 4-6 weeks.

Question 13

Do students have access to their phones?

Accepted Answer

No. Access to electronics is very limited for therapeutic and safety reasons.

Question 14

Can I come tour the facility with my prospective student?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We strongly encourage you to schedule a tour and come see the property, facilities, and dorms, as well as meet people here. Relationships are a priority in this community, and a tour is a great way to experience the atmosphere and find out more. We would love to meet you.

Question 15

Do you accept students with a history of drug addiction?

Accepted Answer

Yes, although we are not a drug treatment facility and we ask students to go through a 30-day detox program prior to arrival.

Question 16

Does your program house both male and female students?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have both male dorms and female dorms, as we see the value in developing healthy and appropriate interactions between genders.

Frequently asked questions