Elevating Treatment Operations: Strategies for Sustainable Census Management

Census Growth Strategy

Leveraging a sustainable client census in behavioral health is complex. There is not one but many opportunities that we explore to address the subtle yet significant challenges – the 'micro-tears' – that can impede the effectiveness of your forward-facing departments, including marketing, business development, admissions, and alumni relations.

Our approach goes beyond the superficial allure of a polished website or the singular focus on recruiting top-tier business development representatives.

We offer various services to help align your organization with building a sustainable census:

  • This package offers a comprehensive in-depth audit of all departments looking to evaluate the following:

    Leadership & Culture

    Internal & External Communication

    Current Resources & Tools

    Operational Workflow

    Data Gathering and Analysis

    METHODOLOGY:

    Staff Interviews (30- 45 minutes) with leadership including (Clinical/Medical/Admissions/Marketing/Executive Leadership)

    Alumni interviews

    Asset mapping (current resources and tools being used)

    Departmental engagement and communication strategies

    Client Discovery to Client Discharge (evaluate the client journey.

    Evaluate the digital marketing efforts (include website, social media and google ad campaigns (if applicable) and organic content)

    Evaluate business development team (time management/CRM understanding/”talk tracks”, strategic plans)

    Audit admissions calls and listen to admission opportunities.

    Evaluate current alumni efforts, engagement with alumni, and integration into the treatment program with current clients.

    OUTCOMES:

    At the conclusion of the audit process, organizational leadership will receive a comprehensive overview of findings with recommended next steps to repair and level up workflow and staff that will demonstrate census growth.

  • Assess current business development structure.

    Conduct an assessment of performance capacity for each BD rep, if applicable.

    Build a comprehensive BD Strategic Plan responsive to the KPI’s provided by leadership.

    Provide 1:1 or Group Coaching. (Refer to Business Development Coaching)

  • Audit of current website.

    Provide recommendations & next steps for brand engagement.

    Generate a brand message for both internal/external constituents.

    Build a Marketing Plan that aligns with the Business Development Strategic Plan to support BD efforts and grow organizational trust.

    Assist with case study/testimonials to grow trust and confidence in brand.

  • Assit with building alumni programs from hiring the “right”alumni professional to lead this department, to assessing the unique program needs of your alumni. Check out (Alumni & Recovery Support Services to learn more).

  • Admissions is an active member of the BD and Marketing teams. Their message and sales conversions are vital to the work of both BD and Marketing.

    This department often requires external assessments of call tracking and call quality to ensure the message is consistent.

    Additionally, BD/Marketing/Alumni and Admissions rely on each other to ensure referrals are documented, followed up, and responded to in a timely fashion.