Community Day Treatment provides education and therapeutic services for children who are emotionally and behaviorally challenged and at risk of out-of-home placement. The program, held in Fairview School in the Elmbrook School District, is open to Waukesha County children and also provides assistance to the families. It aims to successfully transition students back to their community schools or a less restrictive educational environment.
The program provides structured academic, social and recreational activities for students as well as individual and group therapy for the child and in-home family therapy. It involves the family, school and community systems to implement constructive changes at school, home and in the community. The program incorporates:
- A full academic program to keep students on track toward earning a high school diploma
- Individualized education that adjusts to students’ needs and helps them transition back to less restrictive educational programs
- A high adult/student ratio, with about 10 students enrolled at a time
- Daily living skills and pre-vocational exploration
- Community and family-based summer programming
- 24-hour crisis support for families
- Collaboration with the student’s other educational and therapeutic providers
- Support and therapeutic assistance to the child, family and school staff throughout transitions
Community Day Treatment is far less expensive than out-of-home placement. A 2008 survey showed the per-student cost is about 85 percent less than residential treatment, 76 percent less than group care and 61 percent less than treatment foster care.
Inter-disciplinary team
Education and treatment are provided through an inter-disciplinary team that includes a master’s-level child and family therapist, a registered occupational therapist, a teacher licensed in emotional and learning disabilities and special education teaching assistants. Other educational and therapeutic providers are involved when necessary.
Highlights
Surveys conducted in 2009 found 100 percent of clients and purchasers satisfied with Community Day Treatment services. Since the program began in 1977:
- 90 percent of students graduated from high school
- 85 percent of students transitioned to a less restrictive educational setting
- 85 percent of clients have maintained family permanence
Referrals and contact information
A student must be referred jointly by the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services and the Waukesha County School District Cooperative.
Before referral, a team of school personnel, county staff and private providers (including the Community Day Treatment coordinator) collaborate to determine how to best meet the child’s and family’s needs. To be eligible, the child’s parent(s) must agree to participate in family therapy and other therapeutic programming.
For more information, call the program coordinator at 262-790-5440.
To develop a similar program in your county or school district, contact the St. Aemilian-Lakeside School Based Services coordinator at 262-305-0711.
