Types of Programs & Services That Can Be Offered by Residential (24-hour) Child-Care Operations

What are child care services?

Child care services are services that meet a child’s basic need for shelter, nutrition, clothing, nurture, socialization and interpersonal skills, care for personal health and hygiene, supervision, education and service planning. All residential child-care operations provide child care services.

What are treatment services?

Treatment services are designed to treat and support children with emotional disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or primary medical needs.

What are the characteristics of children with primary medical needs?

Children with primary medical needs cannot live without mechanical supports or the services of others because of life-threatening conditions, including the inability to maintain an open airway without assistance, the necessity of a feeding tube, or multiple physical or sensory impairments. 

What is a residential treatment center?

A residential treatment center is a general residential operation that exclusively provides treatment services for children with emotional disorders.

What are emergency care services?

Emergency care services are short-term services to children who, at the time of admission, are in an emergency constituting an immediate danger to the physical health or safety of the child or the child’s offspring.

What are therapeutic camp services?

Therapeutic camp services are camping programs to enhance an operation’s treatment services with an experiential curriculum exclusively for a child 13 or older with an emotional disorder.

What is a transitional living program?

A transitional living program is a program that teaches basic life skills for children 14 and older. The goal is to prepare the child for living independently.

What are assessment services?

A program providing assessment services evaluates children to determine appropriate placement and obtain additional information to help with service planning.

What are respite care services?

Respite care is a service providing planned 24-hour relief to a child’s biological or foster parent for more than 72 hours.