DAY TREATMENT/EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Description of Services
The Day Treatment Program provides Children's Mental Health Services for children/youth in community school classrooms. Interventions include assessment, treatment, and behavioural and academic programming. This program is conducted in three community school settings through a Memorandum of Agreement negotiated between the Children's Centre Thunder Bay and the Lakehead District School Board.

Referral Source
Referrals are received from parents, school officials, and other service providers. All referrals are processed by the Intake Department and reviewed by an Admission Review Committee. Inappropriate referrals are redirected to other community service providers.

Treatment Approaches
The types of treatment approaches for each child are dependent on the nature of the presenting needs and may include:

• Social Skills
  Activities may include modeling, role playing, instruction, experimental approaches and participation in a variety of activities to help children develop those social skills necessary to interact appropriately with others.
• Emotional Management
  Opportunities are provided to assist in the development of emotional regulation. Skills to manage emotions are taught regularly and are part of the overall treatment approach.
• Behaviour Management
  Clear expectations are identified in terms of acceptable behaviour for children in a classroom setting. Every effort is made to be consistent and clear in informing children of the expectations, routines, structure, and possible consequences for misbehaviour in the classroom context.
• Group Sessions
  Group sessions provide opportunities for students to learn about themselves and others and practice their skills in a structured forum.
• Individual Counseling
  Individual sessions provide opportunities for children to gain knowledge, skills and develop attitudes that will assist them in changing their behaviour and to function more successfully in their school setting.

Provision of Follow-up
Prior to discharge, a case conference is called with the receiving school system. Academic needs, social, emotional and behavioural recommendations will be made in order to ensure appropriate programming.