Children's Acute Partial Hospitalization Building Opens

The Barber National Institute held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new Children’s Acute Partial Hospitalization facility opening at 4176 West Ridge Road, followed by refreshments and tours of the new facility that will provide therapies for children and teens with mental health challenges.

The Acute Partial Hospitalization program will be licensed to serve up to 40 youngsters with an intensive three-week program that combines individual, group and family therapy with medication management, social and coping skills development, and grade-appropriate education.  The goal of the program is to prevent placement in an institution or hospital, reduce recurring crises and help children make progress toward recovery.

The Barber National Institute program is unique in the therapeutic support it will provide to children with behavioral health challenges who are also diagnosed with autism or an intellectual disability.

“Helping children who have co-occurring diagnoses make real progress can be challenging because of the multiple issues that must be addressed at one time,” said John Moenk, M.Ed., program director.  “With the expertise and resources that the Barber National Institute has developed over the past 60 years, we are able to provide the specialized therapies that best serve all children and teens with behavioral challenges, even when autism or an intellectual disability is also diagnosed.”

The 8,000 square foot modern facility is tailored to provide a safe and nurturing environment and includes:

● Three unique classrooms designed to meet the needs of children ages 4-8, 9-13 and 14-18

● An autism classroom that features sensory adaptations such as filtered light and privacy glass

● Large ground floor recreation space that will offer recreational/exercise equipment

● A “specials” classroom for yoga, art and music therapies, etc.

● Psychiatrist and nursing office for medication management, intake meetings, etc.

● Deck and enclosed outdoor play area

Individualized treatment plans will be created for each child, and will include a strong family therapy component.   The treatment team will include master’s level therapists in addition to bachelor’s level classroom staff.

The program is open year round, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. beginning in mid-June.