Northwood Children's Services   

Celebrating 125 years of caring for children.

We are currently in need of foster care families. If you would be interested in becoming a foster family, or know of someone who might be interested, please contact Mel Winkler at 218-724-8815. 

Intensive Day Treatment Program

Intensive Day Treatment serves children with behavioral, emotional, or learning problems.  Day treatment addresses the needs of boys and girls who need more intense services than public schools provide, yet do not need out-of-home, 24-hour care.

Intensive Day Treatment allows students to receive special education, counseling, behavior management, and family services, yet return to their own homes each afternoon.  Northwood Children's Services offers two intensive day treatment programs, which are located on our West and Main Campus.

Services

Day treatment provides intensive mental health and special educational programs.  An individualized treatment plan is developed by a multi-disciplinary team made up of educational staff, Northwood staff, referring workers, the student, and family.  The team includes a mental health professional and mental health practitioners. 

Children are assigned a classroom, 8-12 students per class, staffed by a certified special education teacher and an educational assistant.  Students also receive intensive care management services along with three individual or group therapy hours a day from a Northwood mental health professional.  Educational and psychological testing are provided as well.

Each student is involved in a comprehensive program that is individualized to include special education, individual and group therapy, recreation, work experiences, creative arts, and life skills development.

Related services available for families include counseling, family therapy, and parent education.

Referral Process

The child must be aged 6 to 17 years, and have a clinical diagnosis from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).  Inquires by a mental health professional, local school district, county social worker, hospital, child care provider, or parents are welcome.  However, to formally begin day treatment, county social service involvement is recommended.

Staff

Teachers and educational assistants are employed by the school district.  In addition to mental health professionals and practitioners assigned to students, Northwood offers occupational and speech therapy as needed.  A psychiatrist and pediatrician are available for consultation.  A Registered Nurse provides emergency care and consultation to the students.  Parents or guardians are responsible for routine health care.

Program Information

Day treatment is a year-round program.  During the school year, transportation is provided by the home school district.  When public school is not in session, parents or guardians are responsible for transportation to the program and home.  

For more information about these programs, please contact:

LITTLE LEARNERS ENRICHMENT CENTER

Little Learners Enrichment Center is an early intervention program for toddlers and preschoolers.  The children enrolled are at-risk because of emotional, behavioral, or learning problems resulting from such things as premature birth, exposure to toxins, abuse, or neurological deficits.

The program follows an early childhood education model that emphasizes the acquisition of social, physical, and academic skills. The goal of the program is to teach the children skills that will enable them to eventually mainstream into regular education.

Services

An individualized treatment plan is developed by a treatment team supervised by a Northwood mental health professional.

Individual or group therapy occurs on a daily basis and may include cognitive/behavioral, play, and behavior modification.  Art, manipulatives, language math, music, physical activities and more are provided to encourage the child's mental, emotional, and physical development.

An important focus is on assisting the family in raising the child successfully in their own home.  Home-based family services are provided as needed to help ensure family preservation and support.

Referral Process

A child can be referred to the Little Learners by a mental health professional, local school district, county social worker, hospital, child care provider, or parents.  The child must be aged 16 months to 5 years, and have a clinical diagnosis from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

Staff

The program in overseen by Northwood's Clinical Director.  It is staffed by a teacher certified in Early Childhood Education and degreed counselors.  A licensed psychologist, a consulting psychiatrist, licensed social workers, and a state-certified dietetic technician provide services.

Program Information

A child may be enrolled for the school term which follows the public school year, the summer term, or both.

For more information about this program, please contact:

IN-HOME TREATMENT SERVICES

Northwood's In-Home Treatment Services include home-based programs designed to preserve and strengthen families in crisis and after care services to assist children and the families as they adjust after a child is discharged from residential or day treatment programs.

Services

Family outreach services are intensive, home-based programs offering counseling, education, and support for families.  Up to ten sessions are conducted in the home by professionally trained staff.  Depending on need, parents or other caregivers and siblings may be included.  The goal is to prevent the unnecessary removal of children from their homes.

After-care services are provided to help children and their families make the transition following residential or day treatment.  Professional staff assist in establishing appropriate behavior and serve as a support system.  The goal is to ensure successful reintegration into the home following treatment.

Referral Process

In-Home Treatment serves children age 16 months to 17 years, and their families, who have received treatment from Little Learners Enrichment Center, Intensive Day Treatment, or Residential Care.  Children who have not been previously involved in our programs may also be referred for in-home treatment services.

Staff

The program is overseen by Northwood's Community Services Director.  Skills building is provided by a mental health practitioner who is supervised by a mental health professional.  Psychotherapy services are provided by a qualified professional.

For more information about this program, please contact:

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