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Children's Acute Partial Hospitalization Program

 

Short-term, intensive support for children and adolescents who need help stabilizing and moving forward 

When a child or teen is experiencing an emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric crisis, families need support they can trust. Our Children’s Acute Partial Hospitalization Program provides short-term, intensive care for children and adolescents ages 5–18 who need help stabilizing symptoms, building skills, and returning safely to everyday routines. 

We work closely with each child, family, school, and care team to help reduce the need for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization or residential placement whenever possible. 

We provide crisis stabilization in a structured, supportive setting where children and teens can receive therapy, psychiatric care, skill-building support, and help planning for the next step in their care. 

The program may be appropriate for children and youth stepping down from inpatient care, as well as those who need intensive support to help prevent hospitalization. Youth may receive services up to age 21 if they are still in school and have an IEP. 

This is not an alternative educational placement. It is a short-term therapeutic program focused on symptom stabilization, coping skills, family support, and coordination with the child’s existing school and care providers. 

 

What families can expect 

  • Psychiatric evaluation and medication management, when appropriate 
  • Individual, group, and family therapy to support both the child and the people who care for them 
  • One hour of education each day to help maintain connection with learning 
  • Staff trained in safe crisis management and supportive intervention 
  • Therapeutic support that may include applied behavior analysis strategies, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and social thinking skills training 

 

How to obtain services 

Families, schools, hospitals, and other providers may contact us to begin the referral process. The child or teen must have a mental health diagnosis from a Pennsylvania licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. We will talk with you about your child’s needs, answer questions about the program, and help determine whether this level of care may be the right fit. 

Once a referral is received, our team reviews the information provided and works with the family and referral source to coordinate next steps. If the program is appropriate, we help guide the admission process and support planning for the child’s care. 

To make a referral or learn more, please contact the Children’s Acute Partial Hospitalization Program (814) 833-0380 or visit barberni.org. 

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