Community Based Acute Treatment Program

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The Community Based Acute Treatment Program at the Franciscan Hospital for Children is a short-term acute residential unit for children and adolescents experiencing behavioral and emotional problems. Treatment and stabilization is provided in a structured setting.

By simulating everyday community living in a safe, therapeutic environment, children can learn the skills and behaviors that will help when they return to their homes, schools and communities.

Patient Profile

Children and adolescent residents in this program range in age from four to fourteen. Typically, patients are referred as either a step down from a more intensive inpatient hospitalization or from the community as a diversion away from a hospitalization stay. Typical presenting diagnoses include mood disorders, attention deficit disorder, depression, psychosis, anxiety disorders and post traumatic stress disorder.

The Treatment Experience 

Children receive group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy and psychiatry medication sessions. There is also a classroom component to the program providing patients with 2.5 hours of schooling Monday-Friday. The average length of stay for a patient is 2-3 weeks but this varies due to the individual child’s needs and discharge placement planning. There is also a partial program component that is typically reserved for patients who require an additional level of support while transitioning to their next placement. Partial patients attend unit scheduling from 9am-4pm and receive the same level of intensive therapeutic treatment as residential patients.

While the unit is essentially self contained, based on safety and privilege level, patients are allowed on community passes with their families and caregivers. Several outdoor playgrounds and fields may also be used in the course of a child’s stay. Children may have the opportunity to go on field trips with staff members. Typical off-grounds activities include going to the movies, sporting events, educational events and museum exhibits. This provides children with the opportunity for positive and appropriate social and independent skill building while under the supervision of trained mental health staff members.

The unit operates on a staffing ratio of 3:1 with one staff member to every three children, except during the overnight shift when the staffing is eight children per staff member. Clinical staff and interns do not count toward the ratio. The staff and clinicians on the unit represent a variety of racial and cultural groups and clinical staff consist of social workers, psychologists, and Master’s level professionals in the field of psychology.

During twice weekly clinical rounds meetings, the clinical team, including nursing and psychiatry, gather to discuss in depth each patient on the unit including progress towards treatment goals, behavior on the unit, participation in therapeutic sessions and groups and future planning. Modifications to treatment plans are made as a result of the input from different members of the team.

Insurance and Licensing

We accept most major insurances, including MassHealth. The CBAT unit is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care. We also comply with all standards set forth by the Joint Commission.