Children and teens engaging in activities outside of school hours are critical to their overall development. The need for quality after-school programming is particularly crucial in underserved communities where many families have limited access to services. Beyond Healthcare fills an essential need in Toledo, Ohio, with our therapeutic after-school program for children and teens aged 6-17.
Beyond Healthcare provides outpatient services for children and teens with mental health and behavioral issues and their families. Many of those we serve to participate in our day treatment programs after school or when school is on breaks. Call us at 833.698.0453 to learn more about the benefits of our after-school programs for children.
What Happens in a Therapeutic After-School Program?
School-aged children and teens spend 80% of their waking hours outside of school. Research indicates that one in five school-aged children is home alone during the after-school hours. Effective after-school programs provide a safe and supportive environment for children and teens and promote healthy development.
The therapeutic after-school program at Beyond Healthcare utilizes group therapy to assist children and teens in managing mental health issues and improving social skills. Groups are formed based on children’s ages and needs. Activities that we offer include, but are not limited to:
- Experiential therapies (art, music, games)
- Behavior modification
- Structured group therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Yoga and movement therapy
We foster healing of the mind, body, and spirit through our comprehensive approach that utilizes holistic, strengths-based, and evidence-based treatment modalities. Our after-school program runs Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm during the school year. We encourage participants to attend three to five days per week to entirely experience the program’s benefits.
The Benefits of a Therapeutic After-School Program
The main objective of a therapeutic after-school program is to help children and teens improve their social, emotional, and behavioral functioning by providing a structured routine of therapeutic activities. Group therapy and structured support help children and teens function more effectively at school, at home, and within the community.
Among the significant benefits of participation in a therapeutic after-school program are:
- Improved daily living skills
- Better management of emotions and behaviors
- Enhanced social and relationship skills
- Nutrition and physical activity
- Peer and community support
- Increased self-esteem
- Development of healthy habits
The benefits of therapeutic after-school programs are far-reaching. Working parents and the businesses that employ them benefit from less missed time at work and higher productivity levels. Adult supervision helps children feel safer and reduces risky behaviors such as smoking or drug abuse. Teens with mental health or behavioral issues who are unsupervised during the after-school hours are more likely to commit crimes, so after-school programs also contribute to lower crime rates.
Is a Therapeutic After-School Program Right for Your Child?
Therapeutic after-school programs benefit children and teens who have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, behavior disorder, or both, so long as they are not a risk to themselves or others. Further, this program is not suitable for children or teens who require 24-hour supervision.
To help determine whether or not your child can benefit from a therapeutic after-school program, consider the following:
- Has your child been given a mental health diagnosis?
- Does your child struggle with daily living activities?
- Can your child manage within a group setting?
- Have other mental health services been unsuccessful?
- Is your child experiencing difficulties at school?
- Does your child have adequate care during the after-school hours?
If your child has not received a mental health diagnosis, we can help. Through our assessment and diagnosis services, we can work with your child and you to understand their strengths and needs to develop the best course of treatment.
Contact Beyond Healthcare for Therapeutic After-School Programs
To learn more about how our therapeutic after-school program can benefit your child and family, reach out to the Beyond Healthcare team today. Use our online form or call 833.698.0453.
