Wayside Family Treatment Program is a long-term residential substance abuse and mental health treatment program for women at risk or involved with child protective services. This comprehensive family treatment program provides services for both mom and her children and the kids up to 11 live on site with their mother while she receives treatment services.
ABOUT WAYSIDE HOUSE, INC. – FAMILY TREATMENT CENTER
For more than half a century, Wayside House in Minneapolis, Minn. has provided holistic, gender-specific treatment for women seeking treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders. One of four agency programs, the Family Treatment Center, formerly known as Incarnation House, offers long-term residential care for women and their children up to age 11. As of 2016, 46 percent of facilities in the country offered services specifically for women. Detox is not available on-site, but clients can receive referrals to necessary and related services.
Wayside House provides lifelong support through its outpatient treatment, wellness services, supportive housing, and alumni program. A second residential center focused on treating co-occurring disorders and substance use disorders is located in St. Louis Park.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The admissions process at Wayside includes a psychiatric assessment and the development of an individualized plan of care. The facility’s website indicates that a typical residential stay may be 90 days or more, with intensive programming during the first month. During orientation, each client is connected with a peer mentor. Women do not work or attend school while participating in intensive treatment at the Family Treatment Center.
Treatment follows a stages of change model, applying a non-confrontational approach. Among the therapeutic practices used are motivational interviewing, which is used in 71 percent of facilities in the U.S. and dialectical behavior therapy, which is used in more than 20 percent of facilities. During the recovery process, residents attend 12-step meetings on- or off-site, attend parenting classes, and address trauma and mental health challenges through individual and group counseling sessions.
Available holistic treatment practices include yoga, meditation, and physical fitness activities. Play therapy is also offered for parents and children. The activities chosen for each client are based on the assessments as well as each client’s personal interests.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Wayside House’s treatment team consists of certified counselors and holistic health instructors. The facility is accredited by SAMSHA for its pregnant and parenting services since 2014, as well as the Minnesota Department of Human Services for its women-focused services since 2011. The sole individual polled by Best-rehabs.com on the level of staff training and experience gave this aspect of the facility a rating of four out of five stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Wayside House can accommodate up to 40 women. One amenity noted on the facility’s website is a provision for clients to have visits from small to medium-sized pet dogs. There are also facility amenities set up for the children of clients including living facilities.
Two alumni provided survey responses to Best-rehabs.com, with mixed opinions of accommodations. Both rated the quality of meals and nutrition four out of five stars, while opportunities for exercise and leisure activity as well as policies regarding telephone and internet use received lower ratings, ranging from one to three stars. The facility’s cleanliness and maintenance fared okay, with a three and a four out of five star rating from the respective alumni.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing, Best-rehabs.com has received feedback from two alumni of the Wayside Treatment Center. Although the alumni thought the program was effective, they felt that the exercise and leisure opportunities, holistic offerings, and connectivity could use improvement.
The alumni did not agree about the level of family participation offered. One gave this aspect of treatment a five-star rating, while others gave only three stars. One reviewer noted a need for more childcare services, but added: “Wayside family has saved my life and my childs.”
Additional alumni reviews of Wayside House services tended to reference the dual diagnosis program located in St. Louis Park. These included 21 perfect five-star ratings on the organization’s official Facebook page, which its staff can manage.[1] Former clients frequently reported long-term sobriety, reconciled family relationships, and success in educational and employment pursuits. One alum, Shia, mentioned that she was able to continue receiving care after graduating from the program.
On Google, Wayside Family Treatment Center earned a single five out of five star review to date.[2] The alum did not provide any written commentary.
FINANCING
Wayside Recovery accepts many major private insurance plans. The facility also accepts state-financed health insurance including Minnesota Consolidated Treatment Fund. Medicare is not accepted, and clients can apply for coverage through the Minnesota Consolidated Treatment Fund for financial assistance by completing a Rule 25 Assessment.
CONCLUSION
Wayside Recovery was recognized in the West Fargo Pioneer in an interview with two former clients. These clients noted that Wayside was the key to changing their lives and ending their opioid addiction. Minnesota faces a growing opioid epidemic, which led to the development of Wayside Recovery. It is noted that the need for women-focused treatment and the services of Wayside Recovery make a positive impact in the local community.
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