Article by Lynn Karst. Photos by Lynn Karst.
CentraCare’s Clara’s House, the partial hospitalization program for children and adolescents, is now accepting patients as young as three years old.
Centracare announced this service expansion during an open house featuring rows of roughly 65 chairs, all of which were occupied, with additional people standing along the walls. The event drew a significant crowd, and as the day progressed, more community members arrived to show their support and interest.
The open house served to clarify Clara’s House’s vital role in the community and the services they offer.
Throughout the day, staff and volunteers were on hand to answer questions and provide information. Attendees learned about the comprehensive mental health services available, and the unique approach Clara’s House takes in providing care.
Many people believe that kids and their parents spend the night at Clara’s House, but that’s not true. The children come for a few hours and then return home.
Clara’s House is dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of young children in a nurturing and supportive environment.
A primary goal for the open house was to raise awareness about the expanded services and the critical need for mental health support for young children.
“I hope that it raises awareness. I don’t know that we’ll get more need, but I think more people will know the resources in our community,” said Barbara Skodje-Mack, the Director of Child and Adolescent Outpatient Behavior Health.
Previously, Clara’s House was only able to provide treatment for children ages 5 to 18. However, with the expansion they will have the opportunity to care for children as young as 3.
There is no set date for when the added program will begin. The timing of children’s enrollment is the determining factor in this process.
Clara’s House must wait until they have at least four patients to ensure the program’s sustainability and effectiveness as a group treatment.
“We currently have three referrals, so we only need one more, then we’ll be able to start the programming,” said Skodje-Mack.
The need to intervene at such a young age is crucial because that is when our brain begins to develop. Nearly 90% of a person’s brain is developed by the ages of 3 and 5, making up the social, emotional, and cognitive parts of the brain.
Children who develop emotional regulation skills in their early stages are more likely to succeed in future expectations and goals.
Resources are available to parents referred to the program, including tours of the facility and transportation options, ensuring that families can access the necessary services with ease.
This gives parents the reassurance needed to feel comfortable sending their child to a mental health treatment center. There are therapists and other support staff on-site to assist parents with any questions or concerns they have.
The welcoming and comfortable space Clara’s House provides is important in making new families feel heard and taken care of.
Clara’s House is the only program in the Midwest equipped to treat 3-to-5-year-olds in a partial hospitalization setting. This means they offer a comprehensive intensive outpatient program that includes psychiatric services, complemented by additional support through occupational, art, and recreational therapy.
Being the only location in the Midwest with this type of programming, it’s important for Clara’s House to provide resources for families who live out of the area. One key thing they offer is transportation options to and from the facility.
Clara’s House is committed to providing specialized care tailored to the developmental needs of its youngest patients.
The open house was a resounding success, fostering a sense of community and support for Clara’s House and its mission to provide exceptional mental health care for children.
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