Information for Parents and Guardians

CSTC welcomes parents and guardians and encourages them to be actively involved in their child's treatment. Each cottage has a master's-level social worker trained to help families understand the treatment program, support their involvement and plan throughout the child's stay, particularly how to prepare for a successful discharge. Family therapy is offered to every CSTC family. 

CSTC will provide each child with knowledge, tools, training, experience, and opportunities to learn about their challenges and how to minimize the adverse impact on their lives and the lives of others. Your child will not be "cured," but they should be noticeably better. Once your child returns home, your safety concerns should decrease.

For more resources, please visit Behavioral Health Community Resources.

Visiting information

We encourage our patients’ family members and guardians to visit and communicate with them; both play an important role in treatment. 

Visiting hours

On school days, we recommend visiting after school hours; visiting hours end daily at 8 p.m. Each visit is limited to 3 hours.

What to bring

All items (food, gifts, etc.) brought by any visitor must be approved before they are given to a patient. 

Items identified by CSTC as contraband are strictly prohibited and not allowed in the milieu areas, to include cell phones. If contraband is discovered, items must be returned to the visitor’s vehicle. CSTC will not store any personal effects. 

Visiting procedures

All visitors must be pre-authorized by CSTC, and adults must provide photo identification. 

  • Visitors under 18 years of age must have permission from their legal guardian and be monitored by an adult at all times. 
  • Visitors under 12 years old are not permitted in the intensive program areas on Orcas and San Juan Cottages. 

In addition, all CSTC visitors:

  • Are screened prior to entering a cottage.
  • Are required to sign in and sign out. 
  • May only interact with the patient they’re approved to visit. 
  • Are subject to search and being scanned with a metal detector.  Any visitors who do not adhere to rules and guidelines may have their visit ended.

Also, to keep our patients healthier, please refrain from visiting if you are feeling unwell. 

Parents/Legal Guardian Grievances

Parents and legal guardians are informed at the child’s admission of their right to report problems (complaints) and grievances, have them investigated, and resolved promptly. CSTC staff also provides contact information to parents/legal guardians who choose to report their grievance to an outside authority.

The opinions and any dissatisfaction expressed by parents/legal guardians will be treated with respect by all staff. A parent/legal guardian's decision to file a complaint or grievance will not interfere with the provision of quality care for a patient.

Policy 508 under patient rights and confidentiality

This policy provides the formal process for parents/legal guardians of patients at CSTC to resolve concerns and/or complaints. CSTC will ensure opportunities for parents/legal guardians to provide input regarding the care provided and encourages parents/legal guardians to resolve concerns and/or complaints informally whenever possible.

Parents/legal guardians are encouraged to discuss and resolve concerns and complaints with the program director. The program director will attempt to resolve the issue or provide information regarding the appropriate authority to address the complaint. Parents/legal guardians may also contact CSTC's chief executive officer for assistance. In the event that a parent/legal guardian would like to file a formal grievance rather than a complaint with their child’s program director, the following procedure should take place:

  • Complete the formal Parent/Legal Guardian Grievance Form.
  • The grievance form may be submitted to the CEO or designee via the CSTC General Information email. The CEO or designee will contact the parent/legal guardian within seven days of receiving the grievance to clarify the issue and discuss possible resolutions. 
  • Within a total of 14 days from the date of initial receipt, following a review of the issue, a written response will be sent to the grievant.  The response will include a summary of the investigation, the initial disposition of the grievance, and a statement that, if the grievant is dissatisfied with the decision, an appeal may be made.
  • All written responses to the grievant will include a signature line for the grievant to state their satisfaction with, or desire to appeal, the resolution of the grievance. If the grievant does not indicate an intention to appeal within 20 days of the date of the written response, CSTC will consider the matter resolved.
  • If the grievant chooses to appeal the decision, the CEO or designee will facilitate accessibility to the to the BHHA Assistant Secretary or designee.
  • Within 14 days, to the BHHA Assistant Secretary or designee will provide the grievant with a written response.
  • If the grievant chooses to appeal the decision, the CSTC CEO or designee or the to the BHHA Assistant Secretary or designee will assist the grievant to access the DSHS Fair Hearings Process.
  • A parent/legal guardian may choose to bypass the procedure for investigating and resolving grievances. The following is a list of some outside authorities that may be contacted:
    • Behavioral health agency ombudsman for their region,
    • Guardian ad Litem for their child,
    • Child Protective Services for Pierce County,
    • Disability Rights of Washington,
    • The Joint Commission

CSTC will promptly assist family members/guardians to initiate a grievance, providing them with a copy of the hospital’s grievance procedure.

The grievant may choose a person to support them through the grievance process. This support person could include the BHA representative, other family member, other advocate or personal support person.

Grievances must be put in writing, dated and signed by the grievant. If a grievance is submitted orally, a staff member will assist the grievant in preparing a written statement.

A staff person will not participate in accepting, investigating or deciding any grievance in which they are the object of the grievance.

Questions? Contact dshs-bha-cstcgeneralinformation@dshs.wa.gov

Family therapy

Family therapy is an important part of the treatment process at the Child Study and Treatment Center. Parents and guardians of CSTC patients can also join weekly dialectical behavior therapy groups. 

Additional resources include the Behavioral Health Advisory Council | Washington State Health Care Authority.

CSTC Mindfulness activities (audio recordings)

Educational programs for patients

CSTC youth attend school year-round on campus through educational programs offered by Clover Park School District. The hospital’s counselors work alongside teachers and para-educators to maintain a safe, therapeutic learning environment. The school district works with families and their home school districts to ensure a successful transition to the student's next school following discharge from the hospital.