Boys Town Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Unit 1-Year Anniversary
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Congratulations to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Center on Its 1-Year Anniversary!
This month marks the 1-year anniversary of the opening of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Center at Boys Town National Research Hospital – West. During the last year, the Inpatient Center has provided expert, life-saving services and care to 280 children and teens. Please join us in celebrating the truly remarkable work the entire staff has done to provide healing and hope to some very vulnerable kids who are in desperate need our help.
The Psychiatric Inpatient Center is the highest level of care in Boys Town's range of child-behavioral and mental health services and addresses a vital need for mental health services in the region. Children who come to the Inpatient Center are in crisis and present as a danger to themselves or others. Most patients are either suicidal or have attempted suicide, and all must be referred to the Inpatient Center by a doctor.
A Healing Environment at Boys Town
The 16-bed Psychiatric Inpatient Center provides the highest level of safety and care for children, ages 5 to 17, who need psychiatric hospitalization. It includes classrooms, a gymnasium, living spaces and recreational areas. While staying at the Inpatient Center, patients complete goal-setting exercises, attend school, participate in group activities and receive care and treatment from a multidisciplinary team of board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists, pediatricians and pediatric specialists, highly trained psychiatric nurses and social workers.
Healing Beyond the Psychiatric Inpatient Center
Upon leaving the Center, patients may be referred to one of Boys Town's lower levels of care, such as residential treatment, outpatient care, telehealth or in-home services to meet the behavioral and mental health needs of the child and family.
Most patients will return to their families and receive follow-up care at home. Follow-up care will begin within seven days of the patient's discharge to promote a strong community of care. Their social worker and teacher will also reach out and communicate as needed to ease the transition back to home.
Boys Town is proud of and grateful to all the hardworking, dedicated staff at the Psychiatric Inpatient Center. Over the last year, they have helped some of the most vulnerable children every day. The Inpatient Center has been a tremendous success, and we can't wait to see how it continues to grow and change the way America cares for children and families for years to come!
