Sometimes, kids have behavior issues that keep them from being able to learn well in school. Sometimes, the size of the school is itself a problem. When these issues arise, the Joshua Center can provide the answer.
It is one of 10 psychiatric sites owned by Natchaug Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital in Mansfield. Natchaug belongs to Hartford Healthcare's Behavioral Health Network.
The Joshua Center's clinical day treatment programs, approved by the state Department of Education, "offer special education services to students whose social, emotional or behavioral health issues prevent them from functioning successfully in a regular school environment," according to the Center. "Each student has an individual academic and clinical treatment plan to address special needs and return them to their regular schools as soon as possible."
At the Center, kids are in small classes. Generally, there's a teacher and an assistant for 10 students. The school is licensed for kindergarten through 12th grade, though right now, it has only students from fifth through 12 grades.
The Center also offers a second program after school. This is an intensive psychiatric outpatient program for children and teens from 5 - 18 years of age.
Students in this program receive varying levels of intensive treatment weekly. The treatment might help them avoid hospitalization, or continue treatment following a stay in the hospital.
The Center's goal is to help students return to their schools, with an improved possibility of success.