Children's outpatient services offer individual, group and family treatment involving the child and family. Specialized treatment and support groups are available in some locations. Intensive groups for younger children are in place. A day treatment program for twelve to fifteen year olds, five afternoons a week is available. Group homes and other structured living facilities are used in many cases.
Some children do well with treatment along with family members in their own homes.
Children who are clients of the Mental Health Department are seriously mentally ill. Average treatment length is one and one-half years. The children addicted to alcohol or drugs are taken care of by the programs offered by the Department of Public Social Services. A new program using Enriched Foster Homes helps keep many children from being confined to mental hospitals or other institutions. Enriched foster care parents are trained to work with children suffering from mental illness.