A Place Where Kids With The Toughest Behaviors Are Welcome And Can Heal
A Place Where Kids With The Toughest Behaviors Are Welcome And Can Heal
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.Sign up for The 74 Newsletter
Ann’s three young boys had been through a lot already. Her marriage to their father was marked by violence, and a divorce was followed by multiple violations of a protective order, she said. While their father sat in prison in North Dakota, she moved the family to the Twin Cities.
But while the move gave them distance, it didn’t solve their problems, said Ann, who asked to be identified by her middle name to protect her children’s privacy. Her sons, especially the two youngest, suffered mental health issues including PTSD, ADHD and anxiety. Her middle son was diagnosed with disruptive mood dysregulation disordercharacterized by angry and sometimes violent outbursts.
“I had 13 police calls within a nine-month period to my house,” Ann said. When a police officer handed her a domestic violence information card, she knew things had to change.
a و to و by - تفاصيل مهمة
Ann’s middle son had been enrolled in public school in a suburb of St. Paul, but after being removed from his mainstream classroom due to his behaviors, he wasn’t receiving the support he needed academically or emotionally.
A social worker told her about Catholic Charities Children’s Day Treatmentlocated in Minneapolis Public Schools’ Wilder Complex and offering intensive supports to children in grades K-8 struggling with mental illness. Despite her nerves, Ann scheduled a visit.
In one of her first interactions, an intake person said, “‘Because you’re here looking for help, you’re advanced than most adults,’” Ann recalled. “I knew at that moment we were in the right place.”
A trauma-informed approachfor kids
Jessica Dreischmeier, Catholic Charities Children’s Day Treatment Program director, said that her program is a good match for children like Ann’s sons. Staff not only understand the impact that early childhood trauma can have on mental health, but the program’s trauma-informed approach helps them make progress with kids deemed unfixable by other schools.
her و in و for - تفاصيل مهمة
“I would say a majority of the youth that come here for treatment have experienced some type of trauma,” Dreischmeier said. “We know that those symptoms can manifest themselves in a number of ways, including depression, aggression, anxiety, ADHD — and we have deep experience working with those kinds of kids.”
With the right approach, she said, most kids can recover from mental illness.
“One day might be hard, but over time we get there with pretty much everybody — which is awesome.”
A long and loyal legacy
Catholic Charities Children’s Day Treatment was founded in 1968 as an extension of St. Joseph’s Home for Childrenfounded in 1869 as a residential shelter for orphans.
in و as و for - تفاصيل مهمة
The day treatment program was created to provide an alternative option for children at St. Joseph’s who needed extra mental health support.
St. Joseph’s Home closed in 2020, but the day treatment program continued. Enrollment is capped at 40 students who work with 17 full-time staff members.
Students come from around the metro area but enroll in Minneapolis Public Schools through a partnership with the district. Mental health services are billed through health insurance.
Many staff members have worked at the center for decades. Karen Johnson, a mental health practitioner who has been employed by the program for 24 years, said she feels a deep connection to the children in her care.
the و in و a - تفاصيل مهمة
“I should have retired five years ago,” Johnson said. “Each time I have that thought, another kid comes through the door, and I’m like, ‘Now I have to stay until they finish the program.’ Then another kid comes.”
A focus on parent connection and long-term successfor kids
According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, there are 37 licensed mental health day treatment programs for children in the state. Still, Dreischmeier said that Catholic Charities’ program remains in high demand.
“The need for mental health services for youth and children in Minnesota has been going up for a while,” she said, “but especially after Covid, it’s particularly evident.”
A typical day for students includes two three-hour blocks – one for academics and the other for mental health therapy and treatment.
for و and و the - تفاصيل مهمة
Mental health support is delivered in individual and group settings with a focus on parent and guardian involvement, Dreischmeier said. Families are taught how to build strong connections with their child and to reinforce strategies they’re practicing at school.
The kids work on setting goals for their life beyond the program. While students’ individual goals look different, the overall aim is a return to home life and a less restrictive school setting. “We’re hoping our intervention helps kids stay in their home and with their family and not have an out-of-home placement,” Dreischmeier said.
‘We’re not going to leave anybody behind.’
For parents like Ann, the transition to day treatment often comes amid deep distrust of past educational settings. Families arrive feeling guarded, Dreischmeier said. They wonder: “‘Are you going to perceive my child as a problem?’ ‘Will you only see them for the behaviors they are having when they are having a hard time, or will you see my whole child?’”
The kids often wonder the same thing, Johnson said. “A lot of these kids come here with no hope. They think, ‘People say I’m bad so I’m never going to be nothing.’ I try to change that narrative.”
to و the و kids - تفاصيل مهمة
Dreischmeier said that her staff remains undaunted even by the students’ most challenging behaviors.
“If something is hard, we’re going to all come together and work on it and talk about it,” she said. We’re going to move forward all together. We’re not going to leave anybody behind.”
Academically, the aim is not just to keep students on track, but to move them ahead. In traditional school settings with larger class sizes and fewer supports, children with serious mental health issues are often separated from their peers and fall behind.
Dreischmeier said things are run differently at Children’s Day Treatment, where the ratio of adults to students is much higher – often three adults to every six or seven students. “Students are really able to focus in and learn,” she said.
to و and و is - تفاصيل مهمة
On average, students participate in the program for a year to a year and a half, Dreischmeier said. Most then move back to their local community school. Some are recommended for further services, including residential and outpatient mental health programs.
Surprised by hope
After two years at Children’s Day Treatment, Ann’s middle son graduated last year. Though he struggled in the beginning, she said, he eventually settled in and found success.
“His graduation was the most incredible thing,” Ann recalled. “Staff said he’d emerged as a leader.
We did not know that about my son. To hear his peers get up and give their testimonies about him – there was not a dry eye in the room.”
in و the و he - تفاصيل مهمة
Today, he’s enrolled at a school in her home district – something she never thought possible – where he continues to receive special education support. Ann’s youngest son enrolled at Children’s Day Treatment in the fall. She’s optimistic: “I’m just grateful for people like them who want to help children like mine.”
This article first appeared on MinnPost and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Did you use this article in your work?
We’d love to hear how The 74’s reporting is helping educators, researchers, and policymakers.Tell us how
article و and و is - تفاصيل مهمة
Disclaimer: This news article has been republished exactly as it appeared on its original source, without any modification. We do not take any responsibility for its content, which remains solely the responsibility of the original publisher.
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '626037510879173'); // 626037510879173 fbq('track', 'PageView');{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateCreated":"2025-12-15T03:24:56+04:00","datePublished":"2025-12-15T03:24:56+04:00","dateModified":"2025-12-15T03:24:56+04:00","headline":"A Place Where Kids With the Toughest Behaviors Are Welcome and Can Heal","name":"A Place Where Kids With the Toughest Behaviors Are Welcome and Can Heal","keywords":[],"url":"https://uaetodaynews.com/a-place-where-kids-with-the-toughest-behaviors-are-welcome-and-can-heal-the-74/","description":"Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Annu2019s three young boys had been through a lot already. Her marriage to their father was marked by violence, and a","copyrightYear":"2025","articleSection":"Education","articleBody":"nnntttttnntttttnn n Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newslettern n n n Annu2019s three young boys had been through a lot already. Her marriage to their father was marked by violence, and a divorce was followed by multiple violations of a protective order, she said. While their father sat in prison in North Dakota, she moved the family to the Twin Cities.nBut while the move gave them distance, it didnu2019t solve their problems, said Ann, who asked to be identified by her middle name to protect her childrenu2019s privacy. Her sons, especially the two youngest, suffered mental health issues including PTSD, ADHD and anxiety. Her middle son was diagnosed with disruptive mood dysregulation disordercharacterized by angry and sometimes violent outbursts.nu201cI had 13 police calls within a nine-month period to my house,u201d Ann said. When a police officer handed her a domestic violence information card, she knew things had to change.nAnnu2019s middle son had been enrolled in public school in a suburb of St. Paul, but after being removed from his mainstream classroom due to his behaviors, he wasnu2019t receiving the support he needed academically or emotionally.nnA social worker told her about Catholic Charities Childrenu2019s Day Treatmentlocated in Minneapolis Public Schoolsu2019 Wilder Complex and offering intensive supports to children in grades K-8 struggling with mental illness. Despite her nerves, Ann scheduled a visit. In one of her first interactions, an intake person said, u201cu2018Because youu2019re here looking for help, youu2019re more advanced than most adults,u2019u201d Ann recalled. u201cI knew at that moment we were in the right place.u201dnA trauma-informed approach for kidsnnJessica Dreischmeier, Catholic Charities Childrenu2019s Day Treatment Program director, said that her program is a good match for children like Annu2019s sons. Staff not only understand the impact that early childhood trauma can have on mental health, but the programu2019s trauma-informed approach helps them make progress with kids deemed unfixable by other schools.nu201cI would say a majority of the youth that come here for treatment have experienced some type of trauma,u201d Dreischmeier said. u201cWe know that those symptoms can manifest themselves in a number of ways, including depression, aggression, anxiety, ADHD u2014u00a0and we have deep experience working with those kinds of kids.u201dnWith the right approach, she said, most kids can recover from mental illness.nu201cOne day might be hard, but over time we get there with pretty much everybody u2014u00a0which is awesome.u201dnA long and loyal legacynCatholic Charities Childrenu2019s Day Treatment was founded in 1968 as an extension of St. Josephu2019s Home for Childrenfounded in 1869 as a residential shelter for orphans. The day treatment program was created to provide an alternative option for children at St. Josephu2019s who needed extra mental health support.nnSt. Josephu2019s Home closed in 2020, but the day treatment program continued. Enrollment is capped at 40 students who work with 17 full-time staff members. Students come from around the metro area but enroll in Minneapolis Public Schools through a partnership with the district. Mental health services are billed through health insurance.nMany staff members have worked at the center for decades. Karen Johnson, a mental health practitioner who has been employed by the program for 24 years, said she feels a deep connection to the children in her care.nu201cI should have retired five years ago,u201d Johnson said. u201cEach time I have that thought, another kid comes through the door, andu00a0 Iu2019m like, u2018Now I have to stay until they finish the program.u2019 Then another kid comes.u201dnA focus on parent connection and long-term success for kidsnAccording to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, there are 37 licensed mental health day treatment programs for children in the state. Still, Dreischmeier said that Catholic Charitiesu2019 program remains in high demand.nu201cThe need for mental health services for youth and children in Minnesota has been going up for a while,u201d she said, u201cbut especially after Covid, itu2019s particularly evident.u201dnA typical day for students includes two three-hour blocks u2013 one for academics and the other for mental health therapy and treatment.nMental health support is delivered in individual and group settings with a focus on parent and guardian involvement, Dreischmeier said. Families are taught how to build strong connections with their child and to reinforce strategies theyu2019re practicing at school.nThe kids work on setting goals for their life beyond the program. While studentsu2019 individual goals look different, the overall aim is a return to home life and a less restrictive school setting. u201cWeu2019re hoping our intervention helps kids stay in their home and with their family and not have an out-of-home placement,u201d Dreischmeier said.nu2018Weu2019re not going to leave anybody behind.u2019nFor parents like Ann, the transition to day treatment often comes amid deep distrust of past educational settings. Families arrive feeling guarded, Dreischmeier said. They wonder: u201cu2018Are you going to perceive my child as a problem?u2019 u2018Will you only see them for the behaviors they are having when they are having a hard time, or will you see my whole child?u2019u201dnThe kids often wonder the same thing, Johnson said. u201cA lot of these kids come here with no hope. They think, u2018People say Iu2019m bad so Iu2019m never going to be nothing.u2019 I try to change that narrative.u201dnDreischmeier said that her staff remains undaunted even by the studentsu2019 most challenging behaviors.nu201cIf something is hard, weu2019re going to all come together and work on it and talk about it,u201d she said. Weu2019re going to move forward all together. Weu2019re not going to leave anybody behind.u201dnnAcademically, the aim is not just to keep students on track, but to move them ahead. In traditional school settings with larger class sizes and fewer supports, children with serious mental health issues are often separated from their peers and fall behind.nDreischmeier said things are run differently at Childrenu2019s Day Treatment, where the ratio of adults to students is much higher u2013 often three adults to every six or seven students. u201cStudents are really able to focus in and learn,u201d she said.nOn average, students participate in the program for a year to a year and a half, Dreischmeier said. Most then move back to their local community school. Some are recommended for further services, including residential and outpatient mental health programs.nSurprised by hopenAfter two years at Childrenu2019s Day Treatment, Annu2019s middle son graduatedu00a0 last year. Though he struggled in the beginning, she said, he eventually settled in and found success.nu201cHis graduation was the most incredible thing,u201d Ann recalled. u201cStaff said heu2019d emerged as a leader. We did not know that about my son. To hear his peers get up and give their testimonies about him u2013 there was not a dry eye in the room.u201dnToday, heu2019s enrolled at a school in her home district u2013 something she never thought possible u2013 where he continues to receive special education support. Annu2019s youngest son enrolled at Childrenu2019s Day Treatment in the fall. Sheu2019s optimistic: u201cIu2019m just grateful for people like them who want to help children like mine.u201dnThis article first appeared on MinnPost and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. nn n n n Did you use this article in your work? nWeu2019d love to hear how The 74u2019s reporting is helping educators, researchers, and policymakers. Tell us hown n n !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;n t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,n document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');n fbq('init', '626037510879173'); // 626037510879173n fbq('track', 'PageView');n rnrnrnrnrnDisclaimer: This news article has been republished exactly as it appeared on its original source, without any modification. rnWe do not take any responsibility for its content, which remains solely the responsibility of the original publisher.rnrnrnrnrnrnAuthor: Andy SteinerrnPublished on: 2025-12-14 21:30:00rnSource: www.the74million.orgrnrn","publisher":{"@id":"#Publisher","@type":"Organization","name":"uaetodaynews","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://uaetodaynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/images-e1759081190269.png"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/uaetodaynewscom","https://www.pinterest.com/uaetodaynews/","https://www.instagram.com/uaetoday_news_com/"]},"sourceOrganization":{"@id":"#Publisher"},"copyrightHolder":{"@id":"#Publisher"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://uaetodaynews.com/a-place-where-kids-with-the-toughest-behaviors-are-welcome-and-can-heal-the-74/","breadcrumb":{"@id":"#Breadcrumb"}},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"uaetodaynews","url":"https://uaetodaynews.com/author/arabsongmedia-net/"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://i0.wp.com/uaetodaynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/minneapolis-student-behavior-825x495.png?fit=825%2C495&ssl=1","width":1200,"height":495}}Disclaimer: This news article has been republished exactly as it appeared on its original source, without any modification. We do not take any responsibility for its content, which remains solely the responsibility of the original publisher.
Author: uaetodaynews
Published on: 2025-12-15 01:24:00
Source: uaetodaynews.com
