Hope Renews
Los Angeles, CA

Hope Renews, a not-for-profit organization which serves parents of struggling teens, is excited to launch its new website, www.hoperenews.org.

The new site supports parents in three ways. First, it helps parents locate and secure funding for their child's treatment. Second, it gives parents an online community for exchanging ideas, resources and advice. Finally, it presents up-to-date news on issues about adolescent residential treatment.

"Parents with teens in trouble have told us over and over that they need guidance on securing funding from local school districts, insurance reimbursements and loan programs," says President Cathy Gilson. "They are frightened because their kids are in trouble. They have no idea how much treatment costs, or how to pay for it. This site addresses the needs of these families in crisis. It puts them in touch with other families, who are facing similar challenges."

The website provides specific, actionable instructions for hiring an educational consultant, understanding treatment program, dealing with recalcitrant insurance companies, and making the school counselor an ally. Users can add their own comments, to help keep the information fresh and up-to-date. It features news and blogs on family issues. And parents can get specific answers to their individual questions in the Community Forum.

Hope Renews is a 501(c)(3) corporation, dedicated to helping parents whose children need residential treatment for serious emotional disturbances. Since 2005, the company has provided more than $400,000 in grants and loans to help pay for extended treatment. It has supported parents with newsletters, parent conferences and one-on-one support. The company was founded and is run by parents of teens with severe emotional distress who attended residential treatment programs.