Bremwood
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is residential treatment?
It is a structured and intensive rehabilitative environment that provides psychiatric treatment through individualized plans to help children and teens overcome emotional and behavioral disorders.
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What is PMIC?
PMIC stands for Psychiatric Medical Institute for Children. PMIC is the highest level of therapeutic, rehabilitative treatment available to Iowa children and is delivered with a focus on strengths and past successes.
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What is trauma-sensitive care?
It is a philosophy of care that recognizes trauma can come from experiencing or witnessing abuse, neglect, violence or other emotionally destructive experiences. Trauma-sensitive care allows survivors to explore healing in a meaningful manner without causing additional trauma.
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What are the cottages like where my teen will live?
We make our cottages as comfortable as possible while still maintaining a safe environment for children. Come see Bremwood for yourself! We would love to have you take a tour of our campus and find out more about our programs and facilities.
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How often will I get updates on my child?
We encourage you to call and visit your child or teen as often as you like. We do ask that you notify us of visits ahead of time. To keep a safe and secure environment for children, it’s important we know who is on our campus at all times. This also gives us time to plan your child’s schedule around your visit.

In addition to visits and calls, you may be required to participate in regular family therapy sessions. These sessions are especially important for our younger children. Your child’s treatment team will contact you regularly with updates on his or her care and progress.
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Will my teen be able to keep up with school?
Yes. In general, the youth in residential treatment attend public school just like other kids. For kids needing more individual attention, classrooms and teachers are available on campus in our Lied Education Building.
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Can my teenager still participant in public school activities, like sports or choir?
Yes. While our first priority is your teen’s treatment and care, we also believe that participation in extracurricular activities helps young people build character, learn teamwork and develop leadership skills.
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Why would I send my child to Bremwood?
If your child or teen has a severe emotional or behavioral disorder, he or she will need more specialized care than you can give. At Bremwood, we work to help kids to heal and lead safe, healthy and happy lives. We also provide additional specialized programs that some residential treatment facilities do not, such as spiritual life programming and recreational activities to help kids and teens grow in mind, body and spirit.
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Is there support after my child graduates from the program?
Yes! We can make a referral for in-home services for your child if appropriate. LSI has an LPHA on staff at many of our sites who can do an assessment for your child. If your family has Title 19 insurance, LSI can provide remedial services to your child if a need is determined.

Some of our Bremwood programs also have specific support structures in place for follow-up and tracking after your child’s discharge from a program.
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How does my teen get fed?
We have a cafeteria on campus that provides meals.
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Do we have to be Lutheran? Does my child have to participate in religious activities?
No. LSI serves all Iowans of all ages, genders, nationalities, religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations. Through the generosity of LSI donors, we are able to offer a spiritual life program with fun activities to address the needs of a child’s mind, body and spirit. Your child or teen is not required to participate in spiritual life program activities.
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How do you decide when the kids can leave?
The average length of stay is six to nine months. The length of time a teen spends in care can depend on the teen’s progress and also on whether or not the teen has an established permanency plan.

Teens are ready to leave when they have completed their treatment goals as determined by the teen’s treatment team.
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How do I know my teen is safe?
Along with each teen’s treatment, one of our top priorities at Bremwood is safety. Our staff members are each assigned to specific units, which helps them to establish positive relationships with the youth in their care and to maintain harmony and order within the group. All activities are highly structured and supervised.
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