Franciscan Children's Community Based Acute Treatment (CBAT)

The Community Based Acute Treatment (CBAT) is a voluntary, short-term, residential program that serves children ages 4-14 years old. The focus of CBAT is on regulating emotions, developing coping skills and achieving stability while helping children transition back to their homes and communities.

Patient Profile

We care for children and adolescents in crisis who are experiencing a wide range of symptoms.

Common diagnoses include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Depression
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Many families also come to CBAT to seek diagnostic clarification and develop treatment plans, recognizing that mental/behavioral health diagnoses can present uniquely for each child.

Treatment Journey

The average length of stay is 2-3 weeks. Upon admission, each child receives a comprehensive psychiatric assessment which helps the clinical team develop a personalized treatment plan. Treatment includes individual, group, family, and milieu therapy as well as medication management. CBAT also provides educational programming so children can keep up with their schoolwork during their stay.

The program’s 24-hour milieu therapy creates a structured and supportive environment that allows for education, practice and reinforcement of coping and self-regulation skills. Along with skills work, we also provide activities that are fun and engaging. By simulating everyday community living in a safe, therapeutic environment, children have the opportunity to learn the skills they need to help them maintain safety when they return to their homes, schools and communities.