(KNSI) – Clara’s House is turning 20 years old in grand fashion.
The facility serves children between the ages of five and 18 who are dealing with mental health issues. It helps over 300 patients per year, but that number will soon be much higher as the building is in the process of getting a 5,785-square-foot addition, focusing on pre-kindergarteners and toddlers.
The expansion will allow for the first early childhood partial hospitalization program in the entire Midwest. Director of Child and Adolescent Outpatient Behavioral Health Barbara Skodje-Mack believes earlier treatment will help prevent potential mental health problems.
“Recognizing that 90 percent of core brain development occurs within the first five years of life, this program aims to intervene early through evidence-based and trauma-informed interventions.”
Skodje-Mack also points out that the opportunity will allow specialists to educate parents on the unique challenges they have with their children. If they can teach the parents how to get ahead of some problems during the pivotal formative years of development, it will provide those children with a better foundation for the rest of their lives.
Clara’s House has an open house scheduled for January 27, 2025, to showcase the expansion.
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