The Need Children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences are sometimes not able to successfully adjust in traditional child care programs due to emotional, behavioral, and/or developmental problems. The Day Treatment Program is highly successful in helping children who have problems such as aggressive or self-destructive behavior, low self esteem, speech and language delays, depression, social withdrawal, excessive fears and anxiety disorders, or attachment disorders.
The Program A therapeutic preschool program for children three to six years of age who have experienced abuse or neglect, witnessed domestic violence, or may be at risk. This program provides structure, stability, nurturance and behavior management in a therapeutic environment for children experiencing emotional and/or behavioral problems.
Services Provided
• Individual play therapy and group therapeutic interventions, which are behaviorally-specific to the treatment goals for the child and family and the needs identified by the referral source
• Time-limited, intensive approach with a focus on reintegrating the child into a regular day care/early childhood setting as soon as possible
• Daily services, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., with van transportation within or near-to St. Louis City limits
• In-home family therapy sessions and parenting support to include the family in the child’s treatment
• Linkages are provided for the child psychiatrist evaluation and treatment as needed
Staff A licensed clinical social worker is part of the preschool teaching team and provides the in-home therapy sessions. The staff to child ratio in the preschool is very high, enabling an individualized plan with each child.
Criteria for Referral Specifically for St. Louis City resident children ages three to six who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, and developmental problems, which may prevent them from adjusting to a traditional child day care setting and/or kindergarten. Oriented toward children who have experienced child abuse/neglect victimization who are residing within foster care, or are at risk for being placed into foster, residential, or psychiatric inpatient care.
Process of Referral To make a referral, contact our Intake Department via
email or by phone at (314) 534-9350. The Program Manager will then conduct an initial phone interview with the child's parent/guardian or referral source. Screening evaluations involving assessment interviews and developmental testing are provided at no charge at the Program site.
Program Partners The Therapeutic Preschool/Day Treatment collaborates with other service providers, including Parents as Teachers, St. Louis Public Library, early childhood education programs, and the Missouri Children's Division.