Partial Hospitalization Program
The Children’s Mercy Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a day treatment program designed for children and teens experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges that interfere with daily life. The PHP serves patients who need more support than weekly outpatient visits can provide but less than 24-hour hospital care.
The PHP at Children’s Mercy is designed to support patients who have medical issues that need to be addressed in conjunction with a behavioral health need, as well as patients who may benefit from the PHP’s Complex Neurobehavioral Unit’s specialized care.
Key facts about the PHP:
- We serve patients 6 to 17 years of age.
- Our patients have behavioral or mental health symptoms that impact their safe participation in home, school or community settings.
- PHP patients have symptoms and behaviors that put them at significant risk of going to the emergency room or being hospitalized. PHP care is needed for them to leave the hospital or keep them out of the hospital.
- Patients attend the PHP during the day and return home at night to spend time with their family and practice new skills.
- Treatment typically lasts 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the patient’s needs.
Get help now
Call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room if your child is making suicidal threats or actions or poses a risk of harm to themselves or others.
If your child is feeling suicidal but not in a crisis right now: Call or text 988. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English and Spanish and is free and confidential.
Specialized outpatient pediatric behavioral health
What to expect at the PHP:
- Trauma-informed, family-centered care to support lasting change.
- A comprehensive assessment of your child’s strengths, emotional and physical health, behavior, how they think and learn, and how they interact with others.
- A customized treatment plan designed to help improve how your child functions at home, school and in the community. PHP patients receive individual therapy and (as appropriate) group therapy, school support and art/music therapy. Medication consultation and nutrition services are available when needed. PHP families receive family therapy and parent coaching.
- Individual attention with low patient-to-staff ratios. The PHP treats up to 24 patients at a time in an environment designed for their needs.
- A collaborative, team-based approach including therapists, nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, psychologists, board-certified behavior analysts, art and music therapists, teachers, dieticians, care coordinators and behavioral health support staff.
The PHP’s Complex Neurobehavioral Unit (CNBU)
Inside the PHP, the CNBU safely supports patients whose behaviors interfere with daily life and may pose a risk to themselves or others. Patients cared for in the CNBU have a range of behavioral, neurodevelopmental and/or medical needs, and our unit is designed to provide effective, safe care. CNBU treatment plans focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to understand behavior better and identify the best interventions. The CNBU combines tailored treatment plans, caregiver coaching and school coordination to help youth function better at home, at school and in the community.
Contact us
If you are the child’s provider: Visit the Children’s Mercy provider referral form, choose “Specialty, Developmental & Behavioral Sciences” and “Partial Hospitalization Program” as the reason for referral and complete the referral form.
If you are the child’s parent: Visit the Children’s Mercy parent referral form, complete the requested referral information, and at the bottom of the page, where it asks, “What service are you requesting or has been recommended for your child?” choose “Partial Hospitalization Program” and submit the form.
Find more behavioral health resources in our Mental Health Toolkit.
- Developmental and Behavioral Health Home
- Making an Appointment
- ADHD Services
- Autism Clinic
- Depression and Anxiety in Youth (DAY) Clinic
- DAY Clinic FAQ
- Developmental Delay Clinic
- Eating Disorders Center
- Educational Videos
- Integrated Psychology Services
- Learning Opportunities
- Mental Health Resources
- Outpatient Psychology Services
- Partial Hospitalization Program
- Psychiatry Services
- Salud Mental en Niños y Adolescentes
- Tourette Syndrome Center
- Mental Health Patient Family Advisory Council
- Developmental and Behavioral Health Research
- Meet the Team