Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Have questions about our programs, daily routines, or what to expect at Positive Leaps? Get quick answers to help you make the best choice for your child’s mental and behavioral health care.
Table of Contents
Program Details
What does a typical day for the Regular Day Treatment look like?
Children arrive between 7:00 am and 8:30 am. They will join their assigned classroom and have group sessions, individual sessions, and one-on-one therapy sessions. They will also have activities and playtime. For school-aged children, we will work with the students to ensure that any school-assigned work is completed during the day. Children will also have snack time, lunch, and naptime. Throughout the day, children will receive praise for consistent, positive behavior.
What does a typical day for the Intensive Outpatient program look like?
Children’s time of arrival varies depending on their class assignment. Children will have group sessions, individual sessions, and one-on-one therapy sessions. While here, children will receive praise for consistent, positive behavior.
What is the Intake Process at Positive Leaps?
At Positive Leaps, the intake process begins when a parent or legal guardian contacts us to inquire about our services. During this initial call, the intake coordinator collects all necessary referral information, including the child’s name, address, referring doctor, and insurance details. A phone screening is then completed to assess the child’s needs, and if appropriate, a tour is scheduled for our Regular Day Treatment or Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs. The intake coordinator verifies insurance benefits, emails the Benefits and Eligibility (B&E) documentation to the parent, and prepares a folder for the front office to ensure a smooth transition into care.
Do you treat Autistic children? What about ADHD?
Positive Leaps does not diagnose Autism Spectrum or Global Delays. However, we may accept children with Autism or Global Delays on a case-by-case basis.
We do accept children who have ADHD.
Does Positive Leaps provide transportation?
Although Positive Leaps does not provide transportation, we do help facilitate Medicaid transportation through the county of your residence.
Do you provide mental health medication?
Positive Leaps does not prescribe medications. However, we do administer medications prescribed by the child’s physician during the child’s time with Positive Leaps.
My child is a lot bigger (or smaller) than kids his/her age. How will he/she do in her classroom?
At Positive Leaps, we place children in classrooms by their chronological age (number of years), but we also take into account developmental (cognitive) and physical presentation. If a child is bigger or smaller than the same-age peers who would be in their age-appropriate classroom, your child may be placed in a more appropriate setting. If this happens, your therapist or day treatment staff will discuss the change with you.
Parent and Guardian Involvement
How am I, as a parent or legal guardian, involved in my child's care at Positive Leaps?
Parents have an active and critical role in their child’s success at Positive Leaps. Your involvement includes:
- Daily drop off and pick up times each day when you can discuss your child’s day with his/her direct care providers.
- Weekly counseling sessions with your child’s therapist and your child.
- Methods training with hands-on practice at Positive Leaps so that you can take the learning to your home.
- Drop-in visits during the day are welcome. Please just let us know you are coming!
Food, Supplies and Safety
What will my child eat while at Day Treatment?
Parents pack a small morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack each day for their child. Positive Leaps does not possess a catering license and does not cook or prepare food products.
Are there food requirements for my child?
Yes. Information about what the State of Ohio requires for a parent to pack in these meals is discussed during your tour or intake session.
My child has a significant food allergy / food intolerance. Will she or he be safe?
Yes. Since parents pack a small morning snack, a lunch, and an afternoon snack for their child to consume each day, the parents are in control of what food is accessible to their child. Awareness of food allergies and intolerances is discussed during the intake process. Staff are trained in emergency responses and medication administration.
Do other participants in Day Treatment bring food to share?
Yes, but any food product brought into Positive Leaps Day Treatment facility is required to be nut-free.
- If parents wish to bring food to share, please discuss this with the Day Treatment staff prior to bringing the item to ensure no allergies or concerns exist.
- If there is food to share, we will check to make sure your child can tolerate the product before it is shared. You may also request that no food offered by another parent (cupcakes for a birthday, for instance) be given to your child.
Daily Needs and Our Support
What supplies will my child need while at Positive Leaps?
If your child still naps, she/he will need a blanket and his comfort item (no pacifiers). Additionally, here is a list of required items:
- Complete change of clothing to keep in his cubby (locker).
- Box of facial tissues (to be replaced each month).
- Box of wipes.
- Package of disposable spoons or forks, and a package of Dixie cups.
- Food: Morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack each day, including a supply of milk.
- If your child is in diapers, then provide diapers and wipes.
- If your child is toilet training, then provide extra underwear and shorts/pants.
- School-aged children will need the basic school supplies including pencils and safety scissors.
My school-aged child needs to attend Positive Leaps. What do I do about his or her homework?
Your child’s school will be asked to provide your child’s schoolwork. The completed work is returned to the school. Frequently, parents are asked by the school to pick up and drop off work. Other schools prefer to mail it, fax it, or email the work. It is the school and parent’s responsibility to procure and return schoolwork.
Will my child be able to return to their previous school or Early Childhood Learning Center?
The decision to return to a previous school or Early Childhood Learning Center is determined by that school or Early Childhood Learning Center and you. Positive Leaps welcomes and encourages visits by your child’s teacher, principal, or school staff at any time. When it is time for your child to return to his classroom, your school is invited to attend a planning meeting, and we assist in the transition of your child back to his “home” school.
Insurance and Accreditation
How is my child's treatment paid for?
Your child’s services are billed to your child’s health insurance company. Positive Leaps is included in most private health insurance plans. Positive Leaps also accepts Medicaid, or Medicaid H.M.O.s, such as CareSource, Molina, Buckeye, WellCare, United Health Care Medicaid Program, etc. Click here to find our full list of accepted insurances. Positive Leaps determines benefits and payment between you and your insurance company.
Why does Positive Leaps look and feel like an Early Learning Center?
A familiar environment is an advantage to your child’s ability to learn and produces less anxiety. By design, many of the activities she/he might encounter at Positive Leaps mimic an early learning center. Children with problem behaviors often struggle with their behavior at daycare, preschool, or early grade school. Mimicking that environment enables our therapeutic staff to recognize the function of misbehavior and intervene effectively in “real time.” The skills your child is taught at Positive Leaps will easily carry over to their school or home environments.
What does it mean for Positive Leaps to be "accredited" by CARF?
It means that we have been inspected, approved, and certified to the same standards as if we were a facility in a hospital. CARF Accreditation assures consumers of healthcare services, third-party payers of those services, and community stakeholders that the Accredited entity provides quality healthcare services and operates responsibly as a business. Positive Leaps is accredited in Behavioral (Mental) Health, Children and Adolescents, Day Treatment, and Outpatient Counseling. Learn more at www.carf.org.