RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) opened the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) on Friday, a new program for children in need of comprehensive mental health care.
On Friday, Sept. 5, VCU held a ribbon-cutting on the PHP, which offers new mental health care at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children on its Northside Campus, per a release from the university.
Designed for children ages 6 to 17, the 10-day program combines an inpatient psychiatric setting and traditional outpatient mental health care, and is primarily designed for those with significant behavioral, emotional or social distress. However, according to VCU, they must not pose an immediate safety risk.
“Our teams have poured into this program, bringing dedicated new providers on board, developing protocols and procedures, and preparing the safe, supportive space,” said Elias Neujahr, Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) president. “We are ready to welcome our first group of patients. That’s what this work has been about all along – the kids and families whose lives can be changed and improved.”…