ECU Horizons Day Treatment Program: A Case Report of Collaboration Between Community Mental Health Providers and an Academic Recreational Therapy Program

Authors

  • Thomas Skalko
  • Richard Williams
  • Gretchen Snethen
  • Nelson Cooper

Keywords:

Emotional and behavioral disorders, recreational therapy, therapeutic recreation, mental health day treatment, collaboration, youth, adolescents

Abstract

This case report introduces Project Horizons, a collaborative, self-supporting child mental health day treatment program operated by East Carolina University’s Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies-Recreational Therapy Program, the Pitt County (North Carolina) Mental Health Center, the Wilson-Green County (North Carolina) Mental Health Center, the Eastern North Carolina Behavioral Health, and approved local mental health providers. Project Horizons staff uses the recreational therapy treatment process to help youth and adolescents classified with severe emotional and behavior disorders gain knowledge, skills, and abilities for effective community living. This program can serve as a model for the formation of collaborative partnerships to deliver effective day treatment services while integrating recreational therapy professional preparation and intervention techniques for children and youth with emotional and behavior disorders.

Published

2008-04-21

Issue

Section

Theoretical and Philisophical Perspectives