Admissions at Cedarcrest
Cedarcrest welcomes inquiries from families, physicians, discharge planners, nursing agencies, school districts, area agencies, and state agency representatives.
Referrals and inquiries about admissions should be directed to Cedarcrest’s Director of Programs or Director of Nursing. They will begin the admissions process by gathering some initial information about the child. Here is a quick overview of next steps:
- Additional information about the child, such as recent specialists’ notes, the child’s IEP, and reports from physicals is requested as needed.
- The child’s family is asked to visit Cedarcrest and meet with members of the care team in advance. Families are encouraged to share as much as possible about the child’s routine and care prior to admission to ensure a smooth transition. A pre-admission visit to meet the child is often arranged.
- The Admissions Team including our Director of Nursing, Director of Programs, Rehabilitation Manager, and Medical Director meet to discuss the child’s medical and programming needs. They collaboratively determine Cedarcrest’s ability to meet those needs.
- Once an admission is approved, Medicaid and/or private insurance is verified and prior authorization obtained. The family is then asked to complete an admissions packet.
- Prior to a planned admission, the child must have a physical with physician’s orders forwarded to Cedarcrest.
- Once a child joins us at Cedarcrest, we partner with the child’s local school district to ensure that a their education needs are being met.
While an admission is generally planned over a period of weeks, Cedarcrest is able to respond quickly to emergency admissions or hospital transitions.
Respite Stays
Our Short-Term Stay Program is a vital resource for families across New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine who need access to 24-hour skilled nursing care or specialized medical care for a child. In 2023, Cedarcrest provided 56 short-term stay visits in support of families needing intermittent care.
Cedarcrest encourages community-based care, but we understand that a family may need to have a child cared for outside of their home from time to time. Whether for post-operative rehabilitation, during interruptions in community-based services, or in response to a specific family need, we are here to provide short-term care ranging from a few days to several weeks.
Children visiting in our Short-Term Stay Program are integrated into the Center’s activities, participating with their peers in a range of recreation and leisure opportunities indoors and outside on our beautiful grounds.
Funding for short-term care is typically provided through Medicaid. While advance planning for short-term stays allows us time to get to know both child and family, we make every effort to respond when unexpected need arises.
Contact us for additional information about admissions.
“I would recommend Cedarcrest to other families because as much as we think we can do [as parents] there is nothing more important than taking a break. It’s great knowing that your child will be loved and cared for by amazing people!”
- Aaron’s Mom, Susan
Kristin Targett
MSW, Director of Programs
Kristin Targett has led the admissions and social service operations at Cedarcrest since 2009. Previously, she was the executive director of Samaritans and a social worker for the Visiting Nurses Association in Gardner, Massachusetts. She holds a master’s in social work from New York University and a bachelor’s in social work and education from Wheelock College. Kristin is a current participant in Leadership New Hampshire, alumna of Leadership Monadnock, and a member of the Keene Lions Club. Kristin resides with her two children in Keene, NH.
