Children's Long-term Inpatient Program (CLIP)

About CLIP

CLIP is a publicly funded program supported by federal and state Medicaid dollars. Most children and youth in CLIP received Medicaid funding during their stay. If a child has private insurance that covers inpatient psychiatric care, those benefits help cover the cost.

Children and youth ages 5-17 can apply for voluntarily admission. Youth ages 13-17 may be involuntarily committed under a 180-day Involuntary Treatment Court Act (ITA) court order.

Washington has four CLIP inpatient psychiatric facilities with a total of 109 funded beds. These structured programs provide assessment, treatment, and stabilization for children and youth with severe psychiatric disorders.

Each child received individualized treatment based on evidence-based practices. The goal is to build skills, improve functioning, and support a successful return to the community.

How to access CLIP

If you have private insurance, or fee-for-service (FFS)

Contact your Behavioral health-administrative service organization (BH-ASO).

If you are assigned a managed care health plan

Contact your managed care organization (MCO).

Your BH-ASO or MCO will connect you with someone who can answer your questions.

Who is eligible

CLIP serves children and youth diagnosed with severe psychiatric disorders. Many have a history of hospitalizations and complex challenges.

Children and youth admitted to CLIP may have:

• Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors.
• Aggressive or high-risk behaviors.
• Co-occurring medical or substance use disorders.
• Family or legal issues.
• Developmental disabilities alongside psychiatric conditions.

Admission pathways

Children or youth can enter CLIP through one of two ways:

• Voluntary admission (application process)
• Involuntary commitment (180-day ITA court order)

How to apply for voluntary admission

Admission criteria

A child must meet these requirements to qualify for voluntary CLIP admission:

• Be between ages of 5-17.
• Be a legal resident of Washington State.
• Have a diagnosed severe psychiatric disorder.
• Be at risk of harming themselves or others, or be gravely disabled.
• Have already tried community-based mental health services without success.

Voluntary admission process

1. Contact your local BH-ASO or MCO to begin the application process.
2. A local review committee will decide whether to refer the child or youth to CLIP.
3. If approved, the BH-ASO or MCO CLIP liaison gathers all necessary documents.
4. The CLIP administration office makes the final decision on admission.

For more details, visit the CLIP administration office website.

Involuntary commitment information

• To learn more about involuntary commitment, visit our Ricky's Law, Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) webpage.

CLIP facility locations

Washington has four CLIP inpatient facilities with a total of 109 beds.

• The state psychiatric hospital for children and youth, Child Study and Treatment Center (CSTC), in Lakewood. CSTC is under the authority of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
• Contracted community-based CLIP facilities:
  • Two Rivers Landing, Yakima
  • Tamarack Center, Spokane
  • Pearl Youth Residence, Tacoma

What CLIP is not

CLIP is not a long-term housing program. It provides short-term psychiatric treatment focused on stabilization and skill development. The goal is to help youth return to their homes, families, communities, or long-term supportive settings as soon as they are ready.

(Updated May 2025)