Frequently Asked Questions

Individual therapy will be offered to each child by his or her assigned program therapist a minimum of two times a week. The program therapist will meet with the child one-on-one, working to establish a therapeutic alliance with the child and encourage problem-solving in a compassionate and supportive environment. In individual therapy, the therapist will complete a thorough psychosocial assessment of the child, help the child identify strengths and needs and help the child identify and work towards achieving his or her treatment goals.

Family therapy will be offered by the assigned program therapist on a weekly basis to each child residing with a family and/or foster family. The program therapist will work with each child and his or her family from a family systems perspective to improve positive family communication, positive family coping and to achieve identified treatment goals.

This is a discussion group lead by a program therapist that is designed to assist the children in identifying and resolving the problem(s) which precipitated the need for their hospitalization. These are problems which, if unaddressed, will likely contribute to the child having continued difficulty in less structured settings after discharge. This group encourages children to see that they have choices to make on a day to day basis which strongly influence their lives.

These groups are designed to provide children with the tools to more effectively deal with problematic behaviors and cope with negative emotions. These are structured groups which offer children concrete and realistic options to use when dealing with day to day interactions with others and with their own emotions. Examples may include learning how to manage anger, reduce stress and improve positive communication. Role-playing is often used to practice newly acquired skills.

This group utilizes mediums of art, music, play and sports to assist children in identifying and expressing issues. These activities are designed to create an outlet for relaxation and socialization while increasing awareness of appropriate leisure time activities.

Case management and discharge planning is a time to work with a therapist or discharge planner to determine what your needs will be as you transition from hospital care back into your community and home. This will include scheduling outpatient services as needed and seeking support services that are easily accessible to you.

The average length of stay in the acute unit is approximately 12 days.

  • 4 changes of clothes
    • No hoods or strings
    • Appropriate wording/designs
    • No shorts
    • No socks – we provide no slip socks/slippers
    • Bras cannot have underwire
  • Hygiene (No pump bottles, aerosol, glass)
    • Shampoo/Conditioner
    • Deodorant
    • Lotion
    • Toothbrush/toothpaste (no electric toothbrushes)
    • Hair Brush (No metal bristles)
    • No Make Up
    • No Hair Appliances (eg blow dryers, flat irons or curling irons)
  • 2 Paperback books
  • 1 Stuffed Animal: no bigger than a piece of paper, no ribbons or holes

  • Razors, makeup, nail polish or perfume
  • Electrical appliances, valuable items (e.g. jewelry, money)
  • Products with alcohol, belts or clothing with strings
  • Sharp objects, metal combs, tweezers, files or clippers
  • Glass items, clothes hangers
  • Mirrors spiral notebooks
  • Metal cans or aerosols
  • Weapons or potential weapons of any kind
  • Glue or inhalants
  • Medication not dispensed by nurses
  • Drug-related items or smoking materials (e.g. cigarettes, lighters)
  • CD’s, DVD’s or VHS tapes
  • Anything with batteries
  • Cell phones or cameras
  • Inappropriate books, magazines or photos

Phone Policy:
Parents may call the inpatient units at any time to ask questions or to check on their child. Due to the intensity of the program, patients are allowed to make and receive phone calls at designated phone times. In an effort to respect privacy and secure your child’s safety, upon admission, you will be asked to identify a code word. Staff will ask for this code for all incoming phone calls. In order to maintain an organized, therapeutic environment and to ensure all children have access to unit telephones, we try to limit calls to five minutes. If your individual needs are different than our schedule, please discuss this with the staff so that accommodations can be made.

Yes, our Assessment and Referral department is available 24 hours a day. Please call 217-585-1180 and ask to speak to our Assessment and Referral Department.

Admissions

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