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Child Partial
Hospitalization Program
Children ages five through twelve, with serious emotional disturbances, children transitioning from
inpatient to outpatient care, or children requiring intensive therapy and daily structure to avoid inpatient
hospitalization, will benefit from this program. Upon admission, an individualized treatment plan is
developed according to the child’s age, intellect, and emotional stage of development.
A multidisciplinary team including a medical staff member, a child psychologist, a registered nurse, a
clinical social worker, art therapist, and masters-level special education teacher all work together to
provide the highest quality care and treatment, ensuring maximum relief from psychiatric and
emotional symptoms.
At the Child Partial Hospitalization Program, the treatment process begins with an ongoing assessment.
Once the child, family, educators and involved health professionals have been interviewed, the child is
observed in a variety of structured and unstructured contexts. This rare opportunity for professionals to
view the child in natural settings, such as the lunchroom or the classroom, often provides crucial insights
facilitating the diagnostic process and thereby guides the course of treatment. Interventions are geared
towards enhancing the strengths of the individual, supporting the family in their ability to cope with the
child’s problem, and recommending educational and therapeutic supports to continue after the child’s
discharge in order to avoid relapse.
Each child has access to specialized behavioral treatment plans; psychopharmacology; exploration of
emotional issues through individual, play, and art therapies; copings skills groups aimed at enhancing
anger management, social skills, relaxation, and pro-social behaviors; and creative application of
compensatory strategies to cope with chronic psychiatric problems. Family sessions are aimed at
empowering parents and caretakers to create and apply behavioral treatment plans as well as to examine
system issues that may exacerbate the child’s psychiatric disorder. In some cases, discharge planning
includes assisting the family in accessing community resources and support services.
Education is a daily part of the lives of children. The Four Winds Hospital Learning Center functions as
both a source of continuing education throughout the child’s stay, and as a laboratory for assessment and
treatment of school-based behavioral issues. As such, the special education teacher and the therapist
communicate directly with the home-based school district regarding the plans, expectations, and
treatment goals needed to best meet both the academic and clinical needs of each student. The Child
Partial Hospitalization treatment team coordinates its efforts with outpatient providers and/or agencies
that may be currently involved in each case ensuring a continuum of care.
Program hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm weekdays. For more information please call 1-800-528-6624
ext. 2200.
Four Winds Westchester’s continuum of care also includes Outpatient Partial Hospitalization Programs for
Adolescents (ages 13-17) and Adults (18 and older).
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