The Acute Partial Hospitalization Program (APHP) is designed to provide a therapeutic community for children who find it difficult to function in school and community environments. It is utilized as an alternative to hospitalization for youth at risk for inpatient treatment or as ongoing support following a youth’s discharge from inpatient care or residential treatment. The focus of the program is to provide intensive multidisciplinary mental health care on an ambulatory basis while maintaining the client within his or her social support system.
Population Served
The program serves children ages 5 to 12 years old. Individuals entering the program suffer from moderate to profound acute psychiatric disorders that impair their ability for everyday social, vocational, and/or educational functioning.
Services Provided
The APHP services include: psychiatric evaluations, substance abuse screening, medication monitoring, individual, group, and family therapy, case management, tutorial services, behavioral modification and crisis management/intervention services, and assistance in setting up aftercare for the client upon discharge
Treatment Team
Individualized Treatment Plans are designed for each client by a multidisciplinary treatment team that includes the child and family members. Teams may be composed of, but are not limited to, the following: a consulting board certified psychiatrist, licensed/registered nurses (psychiatric specialty), master level clinicians, licensed social workers and youth care workers.
Staff-to-Client Ratio: 1:3
Admission Criteria
Admissions are handled by the Program Director. Intake interviews and client screening is handled by the program director and designated program staff. A psychiatric evaluation or addendum is performed within 48 hours of admission. APHP Admission Criteria includes:
- Validated principal DSM IV Axis I diagnosis
- Treatment at a lower level of care has been considered and deemed
inappropriate
- The structure of an acute partial hospitalization program is necessary
- Client has insufficient resources or skills necessary to maintain an
adequate functioning outside of the treatment program. This requires six
hours of treatment per day in order to stabilize or reverse the dysfunction.
- Client requires multidisciplinary treatment as a follow up to inpatient
hospitalization and/or residential treatment
- Client requires multidisciplinary treatment in order to prevent inpatient
hospitalization and/or residential treatment
Clients that may be excluded from admission include those that are actively suicidal with a plan, those whose level of violence or aggression cannot be maintained on an outpatient basis, or those whose psychosis or disorganized thinking cannot be managed safely in an outpatient setting.
The program is highly suited for youngsters in transition from more structured hospital or residential programs to community living.
To make a referral, please contact Natalie McHenry, Program Director at (610) 478-8266, ext. 394 or fax information to (610) 898-0795.
