CLIP - Children's Long-term Inpatient Programs

Who pays for CLIP beds?
All children served in a CLIP Program are eligible for Medicaid funding while in residence. If the child has private insurance that covers psychiatric inpatient care, those benefits are also applied to the cost of the stay.

How do I apply?
The voluntary application process is a two-tiered activity that begins with a contact to the local RSN representative. If a local decision is made to proceed with a referral to CLIP, the RSN gathers all the application materials and contacts the CLIP Administration. The CLIP Administration is the final authority for making decisions about eligibility for admission.

For involuntary admissions, no application is needed as the process of involuntary detention by a County Designated Mental Health Professional (CDMHP) and the 180 day restrictive court order constitute certification of need for this level of care.

How long do children stay in a CLIP Program?
Each child's length of stay varies according to his/her individual needs and progress toward treatment goals. The average length of stay is 6-12 months.

Children are returned to their home community as soon as possible. The community partners, including family, DSHS caseworkers, therapists, schools, etc., are expected to collaborate with the CLIP Program to assure appropriate discharge resources are in place prior to discharge.

Can a child be admitted to a CLIP Program more than once?
Yes, as long as the child meets admission criteria.

How long do children have to wait for admission?
Once a child is eligible for admission as determined by the CLIP Administration, his/her name is placed on the statewide waiting list. The statewide waiting list is managed by the CLIP Administration. The child then waits for his/her bed to be available at the most appropriate CLIP Program. Wait times vary greatly and are dependent upon bed availability, family/community choice, geographic proximity, age, gender, presenting clinical needs, etc. Contact the CLIP Administration for current availability.

What if services are needed immediately?
A CLIP admission is not available as a crisis service. Nor are children admitted to a CLIP Program solely because they need a safe place to live.

A stay in a CLIP Program is a treatment episode that is planned in a collaborative way based upon the strengths and needs of the individual child and his/her family.

Crisis services designed to meet more immediate needs are available through each RSN.

What happens if the voluntary application is denied?
If a voluntary application is denied, the CLIP Administration makes specific recommendations for evaluation and/or treatment alternatives. Please note that children may be referred to the CLIP Administration more than once, even if an application has been denied in the past. Approximately 95% of all voluntary applications are approved, indicating that RSNs and their partners are referring only those children most in need of this kind of treatment.