PRTFs provide out-of-home residential psychiatric treatment to children and adolescents whose mental health needs cannot be effectively and safely met in a community setting. These programs are intended to provide active treatment in a structured therapeutic environment for children and youth with significant functional impairments resulting from an identified mental health diagnosis, substance use diagnosis, sexual abuse disorders, and/or mental health diagnosis with co-occurring disorder (i.e., substance related disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, head injury, sexual misuse disorders, or other disabilities which may require stabilization of mental health issues).
The residential treatment facility is expected to work actively with the family and other agencies to offer strengths-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed, medically appropriate treatment designed to meet the individual needs of the residents.
There are currently nine PRTFs in the State of Kansas.
A list of PRTFs in Kansas can be found in the Mental Health Resources Directory.
If you have questions or concerns pertaining to programs or services at a PRTF in Kansas, please contact Linda Buchheister, 785-296-4533, Children's Program Manager.
If you have questions or concerns pertaining to services at a PRTF in Kansas, please contact Behavioral Health Central Office at 785-296-4744.
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- What Is a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility?
Services Offered at a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility
Psychiatric residential treatment facilities can administer inpatient care to teenagers and children whose mental health needs are not met in other settings, such as school, home, or individual therapy. They provide a structured therapeutic environment, safe but intensive treatment, plans based around the child's needs, and treatment for chronic issues.
In addition, psychiatric residential treatment facilities offer:
- Assessments of the child’s social, emotional, medical, and educational needs
- Evidence-based support
- Psychiatric support from a child psychiatrist
- Programs that involve the child’s family or support network
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How a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility Differs from Other Residential Treatment
There are several factors that distinguish a psychiatric residential treatment facility from other forms of residential care.
For example, PRFTs:
- Are separate, non-hospital entities, while residential treatment centers (RTCs) may be associated with hospitals or other facilities.
- Only treat people under the age of 21, while RTCs may treat people of all ages.
- Only admit people who are eligible for Medicaid, while RTCs may treat individuals with other types of insurance.
- Provide intensive psychiatric care, while RTCs do not always provide intensive services.
- Are accredited by the Joint Commission, The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, The Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, and other accrediting organizations with comparable standards recognized by the state. Many RTCs do not have this level of accreditation.
Who Might Choose a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility?
As the intensive care services offered in psychiatric residential treatment facilities can be restrictive, they should only be used if other forms of treatment have not worked or if the alternative therapeutic setting is unsafe. PRTF programs are designed for young people with significant functional impairment due to substance use, sexual abuse, developmental issues, head injury, dual diagnosis, or other mental health diagnoses.
Only children who are unable to receive effective care in a safe family setting can be admitted to a PRTF program. This might include children who display severe sexual or violent behavior. There are a few common reasons a child might be admitted into a PRFT program. For instance, this might happen if treatment options in the child's community cannot meet their needs. Additionally, a child's condition might require psychiatric supervision in a residential treatment center. Finally, children may be admitted if the services offered at a PRFT are expected to improve their condition or prevent it from getting worse so that residential services are no longer needed.
How to Choose the Best Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility
Choosing a psychiatric residential treatment facility for your child may be challenging. However, there are steps you can take to find the best option:
- Ask if the program is licensed by the state or accredited by national agencies.
- Check online reviews posted by others who have used a particular facility.
- Look for programs located within a reasonable distance. If the best option is far away, checking if they have policies that allow for family visits can be helpful.
- Ensure that the program uses nonviolent methods of managing aggressive behaviors and encouraging positive skills.
- Check whether the program has experience treating issues similar to those of your child.
- Visit the facility and ask staff members any other questions you need answered. Ask how you can help monitor your child’s progress.
- Ask a trusted local therapist for their views about potential programs you have in mind.
References:
- Mh 12 102 residential treatment services (rtf) as a comprehensive service. (2012, April 2). PerformCare. Retrieved from //pa.performcare.org/pdf/providers/resources-information/policies/bhrs/040212-residential-treatment-services.pdf
- Psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs). (n.d.). Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Retrieved from //www.kdads.ks.gov:7028/commissions/behavioral-health/consumers-and-families/services-and-programs/prtfs
- Residential treatment programs. (2016). American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved from //www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Residential-Treatment-Programs-097.aspx
- What is a PRTF? (n.d.). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Retrieved from //www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/WhatisaPRTF.pdf
- Ziegler, D. (n.d.). Appropriate and effective use of psychiatric residential treatment services. Retrieved from //www.jaspermountain.org/appropriate_effective_prts.pdf
Last Update: 12-08-2017