Frequently Asked Questions
We have included a variety of questions that are frequently asked about our programs. If you have other questions please feel free to write us at khiservicesinc.org@verizon.net
Q: Why do I have to pay a fee for my
child to be in the adolescent Step Ahead Program? My son was arrested
and screened by the county. Shouldn't the county be responsible for
payments?
A: KHI Services has a contract with Montgomery County to provide
Level I Outpatient Substance Abuse Counseling services. We are a
private, non-profit company that needs to pay for therapists,
support staff, the rent, heat and other costs. The county does pay a
portion of our costs but no where near what it costs to operate the
entire program.
We are required to charge a co-pay for those clients with health insurance, according to your policy. Our contract with the insurance companies require us to follow this policy. This is just as your health insurance company treats all other specialist provider.
Q: How long will my son really be in one of the Karma
programs?
A: Both of our residential programs offer a 6-9 month treatment
program. Some youth are willing to address the issues that brought
them to our program right away, and others are less willing to share
their problems. Hence, some
youth can finish the program in as little as 6 months while others
take longer. It is possible for a youth to be in the program up to 12
months. We prefer that the youth deals with his issues directly and
responsibly as quickly as possible, but each person develops at
their own pace.
Q: The judge told me I needed a 12-hour education course.
So why does your Adult Program therapist tell me I have to do a 26
week counseling course?
A: Judges are not trained in substance abuse/use counseling.
Therefore they rely on providers to determine the actual needs of
the person. Our state COMAR regulations require that we assess
people coming into our program to determine what people really need.
Our trained therapists conduct an assessment to determine the actual
level of need. Also, some people misinterpret a judge's comment
about a minimum of 12-hour educational program to be the maximum
expectation.
Q: What is the Wilderness Challenge
program? Is it like those camp programs I have heard about?
A:
Our Wilderness Challenge outdoor adventure program
provides an opportunity for the youth:
-
To learn to face fears, anxieties and
difficulties they may have working with others.
-
To place the youth in unfamiliar situations
forcing them to abandon habitual responses and help them discover new, positive resources for solving problems.
-
To improve their self-esteem and skills
through experiential opportunities they might otherwise not
have, such as whitewater rafting/canoeing, rock climbing,
caving, hiking and biking.
Boys participate in regularly scheduled Wilderness
Challenge events and at least one major annual trip, planned to
coincide with school breaks. Each Wilderness Challenge event is
evaluated by the staff that accompanies the youth and the youth share
a self assessment as well. This information is used to improve the
program for the next group that participates.
Related information
- Contact the Office Manager with your questions. She will forward them to the person who can best answer your question
- Another alternative is to email the CEO a question and he will forward it to the best person to answer your question.