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Is Alexander a nonprofit agency?

Yes, Alexander is a 501-c-3 North Carolina nonprofit corporation. Contributions to the agency are fully deductible.

Who supports Alexander financially?

Alexander is supported by fees for services paid out of pocket or through insurance plans, by Medicaid, fees paid by county departments of social services, grants from the juvenile justice system, corporations, foundations, and gifts from individuals.

What opportunities are there to get involved with the agency?

Alexander receives nearly $1 million in financial support from corporations, foundations and individuals. Additionally, thousands of dollars worth of gifts in kind are received each year, with many of those gifts going direction to the children we serve in the form of clothing, school supplies, recreational equipment and more. Many corporations also provide manpower and materials to keep our physical plant up to date, and others provide direct care services. Alexander supports an extensive volunteer program and volunteers currently work in a variety of roles from child mentors and lunch buddies, to office workers and fundraisers. To get involved, just call the main office number and tell the receptionist that you want to get involved.

What programs and services does Alexander Youth Network offer?

Alexander provides over a dozen programs falling into three main categories: outpatient, residential and community-based services. Clients in residential programs live in Alexander facilities while undergoing treatment. Residential programs include psychiatric residential treatment offered at Alexander's main campus on Thermal Road in Charlotte, and Alexander's shelter for runaways and children in crisis known as The Relatives. Non-residential, community-based programs include Community Support, Multi-systemic Therapy, Therapeutic, Intensive and Specialized Foster Care, and Day Treatment. Outpatient services include Diagnostic Assessment, Outpatient Therapy as well as psychological testing services.

How do children get into a program offered by Alexander?

Children are referred to programs by family, physicians, schools, county departments or social services, insurance plans, hospitals and North Carolina Area Mental Health programs.

What does it cost to receive services from Alexander?

Each service has its own fee schedule. Fees for most services are covered by private insurance plans or by Medicaid depending on your personal circumstances. Some programs are paid for by grants from departments of social services, the department of juvenile justice or other organizations and institutions. Alexander's Intake Department at 704.362.8470 can provide more details on fees and payment arrangements.

How long do children usually stay in a program?

The duration of stay in a program depends on the severity of the problem, the stipulations of the referring agency or insurance provider, and the nature of the program itself. Stay at The Relatives crisis shelter is limited to two weeks. A typical stay in psychiatric residential treatment might be four to six months; a child may stay in Therapeutic Foster Care for a year.

What does Severely Emotionally Disturbed mean?

The term refers to children who are not necessarily developmentally disabled, but due to a diagnosed mental problem are unable to function in normal social settings and to form normal family and peer relationships. Their emotional disturbance may cause them to be unsuccessful in school and cause them to lag behind peers scholastically. Emotional disturbances are also sometimes referred to as mental or behavioral problems. A SED can be anything from Attention Deficit Disorder to Psychosis. Most of the children treated at Alexander suffer from SEDs severe enough to significantly impair their ability to be successful in their daily endeavors. Treatment is usually geared toward solving the problems that are causing their illness, or helping clients develop skills to cope with more chronic problems so that they can enjoy their childhood and grow into successful young adults.

Are the children in Alexander's programs mentally ill?

Most children in Alexander's programs have a mental illness diagnosis. Some programs however work with children who are at-risk, meaning that due to social and environmental circumstances could develop problems unless there is intervention. The Relatives youth crisis shelter is one of those programs.

How do you apply for Day Treatment?

Alexander provides campus-based day treatment programs in Charlotte and Gastonia. The programs combine a therapeutic treatment program with an academic program to help children make improvements in both behavior and learning. Children are admitted through Alexander's Intake Department, and must have a mental health diagnosis in order to participate in the program.

Children admitted to Alexander's Day Treatment program operating in conjuction with Charlotte/Mecklenburg Schools at The Morgan School must show medical necessity and be approved by the school system for admission to the school.