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

Community Day Treatment
St. Aemilian-Lakeside
8901 West Capitol Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53222
(262) 790-5440




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 children aged 12-18 whose mental health, developmental, emotional and behavioral needs cannot be met by their families and home school district. Located in a Waukesha County public school, CDT's goal is to prevent out-of-home placement and to successfully transition its students back 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
• 2000-2003 surveys found 90 percent of clients and purchasers were satisfied with CDT services

Community Day Treatment is far less expensive than out-of-home placement. A 2001 survey indicated that CDT's cost per student is approximately:

• 80 percent less than residential treatment
• 66 percent less than group care
• 40 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 back to the student's community school. Support and therapeutic assistance are provided to the child, family and school 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 which provider would best meet the needs of the child and family. To be eligible for CDT, a student must be 12 to 17 years old with at least average intelligence and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). In addition, the child's parent(s) must agree to participate in family therapy and other therapeutic programming.