Community Day Treatment (CDT)
Of Waukesha County

"CDT helps to put everything in perspective and helps us deal with it. They give us the support we need to deal with our situation." -- Parent view more testimonials

Contact Us

St. Aemilian-Lakeside's
Community Day Treatment

Ed Renner, Program Coordinator
262-790-5440
erenner@st-al.org

Fairview South School
3525 Bermuda Blvd
Brookfield, WI 53043



Overview

Community Day Treatment (CDT) is a collaboration among The Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services, The Waukesha County School District Cooperative and St. Aemilian-Lakeside, Inc.

Community Day Treatment (CDT) provides cost effective treatment to Waukesha County families and children aged 12-18 who are at risk of an out-of-home placement and are not succeeding in their current educational programming. Located in a Waukesha County public school, CDT's goal is to maintain family permanencyand to successfully transition students to their community schools or to a less-restrictive educational environment.

Since the program began in 1977:

• 90 percent of the students served by CDT went on to graduate from high school
• 85 percent of CDT students transitioned to a less restrictive educational setting
• 85 percent of clients have maintained family permanence
• 2007 surveys found 100 percent of clients and purchasers were satisfied with CDT services

Community Day Treatment is far less expensive than out-of-home placement. A 2008 survey indicated that CDT's cost per student is approximately:

• 85 percent less than residential treatment
• 76 percent less than group care
• 61 percent less than Treatment Foster Care

For more information about CDT, please call the CDT program coordinator at (262) 790-5440. To develop a similar program in your county or school district, please contact St. Aemilian-Lakeside's Division Director of Education Services at (414) 463-1880.


Therapy and Education

Community Day Treatment provides comprehensive education and treatment for children and families through an inter-disciplinary team, which includes:

• Masters level Child and Family Therapist (Program Coordinator)
• Registered Occupational Therapist
• Teacher licensed in Emotional and Learning Disabilities
• Special Education Teaching Assistants
• Other educational and therapeutic providers when necessary

CDT staff provides therapeutic and educational interventions that promote long-term family and community permanency for children. CDT involves the family, school and community systems in understanding, seeking and implementing constructive changes at school, at home, and in the community. The program incorporates:

• In-home family therapy, as well as individual and group therapy for the child
• A full academic program that keeps students on track toward earning their high school diploma
• Individualized education to adjust to how students learn, helping them develop learning skills
• Development of daily living skills and vocational training
• Community-based summer programming
• 24 hour crisis support for families
• CDT staff work in full collaboration with the student's other educational and therapeutic providers.
• Gradual transitions to less restrictive educational programs. Support and therapeutic assistance are provided to the child, family and school staff throughout transitions.

Referral Process

A student must be referred to CDT jointly by the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services and the Waukesha County School District Cooperative.

Prior to referral, a team of school personnel, county staff, and private providers (including the CDT coordinator) collaborate to determine how to best meet the needs of the child and family. To be eligible for CDT, the child's parent(s) must agree to participate in family therapy and other therapeutic programming.