YOUTH DAY TREATMENT
STRIDE PROGRAM
General Description of Program:
Located at the “Wasatch Child and Family Center”, 1165 East 300 North, Provo Utah. The program is designed to assist children ages 5 through 12 who are experiencing social skill deficiencies due to mental illness and are emotionally challenged.
The goal of each staff member in the program is to provide a positive environment where children can feel accepted, confident, and successful while at the same time gain social skills in areas such as anger management, compliance, honesty, and getting along with others. The program hours are from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday thru Thursday and 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday, except holidays. Following the program, the children are transported to a drop off point near their home. The Stride program takes place 5 days a week for 13 weeks. During the last 2 weeks of the program, the child will begin a transition from the Stride program by attending the program on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only.
Treatment Philosophy:
The Stride Partial Day Treatment program is designed to treat children in the least restrictive environment. Decisions are based on behavioral principles, emphasizing social skills and generalization of these skills through comprehensive discharge planning. Services consist of direct instruction, role-playing, and homework practice to teach social skills. These skills are reinforced during structured activities and individual therapy. Family therapy and parent education/support groups are also offered. Social and academic behaviors are monitored with a daily home and school note.
Parents are encouraged to transport their children. When this is not possible, the program does provide transportation. Local drop off and pick-up points are identified to allow parents easier access to the Stride vehicles. The children bring a report on their behavior from school and home, using a tracking sheet. This enables the school and parent to be involved in the program.
During program hours, the children receive time to work on homework from school, activity time, a lesson on specific social skills topic and a snack. Group therapy is provided once a week and individual therapy by prearrangements. The children’s parents are required to attend a parent educational group on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:15. Topics for the parent group include: building family strengths, working with community and schools, dealing with stress, divorce, understanding and discipline.
Our mental health services are voluntary and parental or legal guardian consent is required prior to formally initiating a referral. Referrals can be made by contacting Ryan Budge, LCSW at 801-821-5244 or wasatch.rbudge@state.ut.us.