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Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s ServicesPatricia Hillis-Clark, Psy.D. Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services supports children, adolescents and young adults – from birth to age 21 – with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Each year, nearly 2,000 children and adolescents receive specialized care, in the environment best suited to the unique challenges, they face, all with the goal of providing each individual with the academic, social, emotional and life skills needed to flourish in their homes, schools and communities.
Our services include:
We are proud to serve children and adults across the country. Individuals and families who are not located near our service areas are encouraged to contact an admissions specialist for help and information. To learn more about our positive impact on youth and families, view Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services’ Outcomes Report for Fiscal Year 2024. Education: Approved Private SchoolsReferrals and admissions
For children with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, please visit Devereux CARES. About Our Approved Private SchoolsDevereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services’ Approved Private Schools offer high quality, innovative special education programs that work in tandem with families and school districts to ensure students can return to their local schools and communities with the tools they need to succeed. Children, adolescents and young adults may come to Devereux as a day student, or as a part of residential treatment. Each student has an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), which outlines goals for skill development and the best strategies by which the student can reach his/her goals. A multi-disciplinary team, including the individual’s parent(s) or guardian, regularly reviews the plan to discuss challenges, progress and adjustments to goals as appropriate. The goal of our Approved Private Schools is to create individualized educational opportunities that enable each student to live as a positive, healthy and socially-connected individual in his or her community. Brandywine and Mapleton SchoolsDevereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services’ Brandywine and Mapleton Schools offer an education curriculum to children functioning at all grade levels. A multi-sensory educational strategy is used at all schools, employing traditional instruction, hands-on and independent learning, as well as technology, to individualize a student’s progress in all academic areas, particularly math and reading. The transition from school to career, and all of the necessary interrelated skills, are a main focus of the school program. Core Curriculum:
For more information/admissions: The Devereux School for Integrated LearningDevereux focuses on building upon the unique strengths of each student. Our school strives to offer a breadth of opportunities for students to express themselves and find personal levels of accomplishment through activities such as: Special Olympics, talent shows and school dances, student government, peer mentoring, service learning, community gardening, and employment education, both in the classroom and in the community. Core Curriculum:
For more information/admissions: Devereux Day AcademiesOur Devereux Day Academies offer special education programming for students who require a higher level of care than may be provided in their local schools. Learn more about our Devereux Day Academies. Title IX Policy and ProceduresWhat is Title IX?Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Sex discrimination includes sex-based harassment, discrimination on the basis of sex and retaliation related to complaints of sex discrimination. Sex-based harassment is unwelcome conduct, which includes both sexual harassment including, but not limited to, sexual assault, other forms of sexual violence and other sexual misconduct, and gender-based harassment. This applies to academic, educational, athletic and residential programs. What is Different? The new Title IX regulation holds schools accountable for failure to respond equitably and promptly to sexual misconduct incidents and ensures a more reliable adjudication process that is fair to all students. The Final Regulations specify how recipients (defined as schools, LEAs, postsecondary institutions) of federal financial assistance must respond to allegations of sexual harassment consistent with Title IX’s prohibition against sex discrimination. They further specify how recipients (defined as schools, LEAs, postsecondary institutions) of federal financial assistance must respond to allegations of sexual harassment consistent with Title IX’s prohibition against sex discrimination. Training Policy and Procedure Documents
Residential ProgramsDevereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services provides a rich, evolving continuum of 24-hour, out-of-home residential services for children and adolescents living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. A team of caring, talented staff is dedicated to helping each individual achieve social, emotional, behavioral and educational goals, and return home to their local communities. We offer several residential programs, each with their own focus. These programs are customized to serve the unique needs of children and adolescents. Common throughout all residential programs is the use of an evidence-based practice called Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS), which integrates all aspects of an individual’s care. Note: PBIS is a framework that helps schools and other organizations adopt evidence-based behavioral interventions to enhance the academic and social behavior outcomes for all individuals. Learn more about Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services’ residential programs.
Our residential programs provide each child, and their families, with the skills and resources needed to reach the greatest level of personal happiness and success. Our residential homes and cottages reflect a warm, home-like setting. This approach not only provides a safe, dignified environment for the children, but it also offers opportunities for experiential learning, where children can practice life skills needed as an adult, from cooking and cleaning, to positive communication, conflict resolution, cooperation and compromise. Children and adolescents served by our residential programs attend the educational program that best suits their needs. These options include: public schools, intermediate unit programs, the Brandywine or Mapleton Schools or Devereux CARES. Residential programsContact information/admissions: Contact our Admissions Specialist About Our Residential ProgramsAutism Intensive Residential Services Devereux’s Autism Intensive Residential Services employs evidence-based practices across a continuum of care. These practices include a foundation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) delivered in a treatment environment that is trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed. The continuum begins with a comprehensive, functional behavioral assessment in the family’s home, followed by intensive, clinical services for a period of three to six months on the Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services campus and concludes with discharge and after-care service planning. The team of professionals includes Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs), a clinical psychologist, a child psychiatrist, a special education teacher, nurses, a speech language therapist, a residential unit supervisor and direct care providers who are trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Individualized Positive Behavior Support. Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ID/ASD) Program Intellectual Disability and Mental Health (ID/MH) Program Diagnoses may include:
Behavioral Health Residential Treatment Program Program components/group therapies may include:
Community-based and Other Specialized ServicesDevereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services believes in the importance of supporting children living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences – and their families – within their own neighborhoods. Please look below to learn more about our community-based and other specialized services. Assessment ServicesAvailable to residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties Call: (610) 422-1490 At Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services’ Autism Assessment Center, our licensed professionals have extensive training and experience delivering evidence-based assessments interventions.
Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services – Acute CareDevereux Pennsylvania Children’s Behavioral Health Center (DCBHC)655 Sugartown Road Admission services are available 24/7 Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Behavioral Health Center (DCBHC) – the only free standing children’s psychiatric hospital in Chester County, Pennsylvania, – employs a team of acute care professionals dedicated to meeting the needs of children and adolescents, ages 5 to 18, and their families, in acute mental health crisis. Many of the individuals we serve are from southeast Pennsylvania, but DCBHC has served children and adolescents from other regions of Pennsylvania, as well as neighboring states. Our treatment team, which may include psychiatrists, clinical case managers, nurses, teachers, licensed psychologists and clinical social workers, along with the family and child, work together to create a safety, stabilization and treatment plan that focuses on a successful discharge of the child back to his or her community, or lesser level of care. The majority of children stay at DCBHC between three days and 21 days. The stay could be longer based on the presenting symptoms. Diagnoses may include: suicidal gestures and attempts, cutting and self-injurious behaviors, depression, aggression, psychosis, autism spectrum disorders and/or drug and alcohol issues. Treatment is individualized to your child’s needs, including trauma-informed care, DBT skills groups and extensive discharge planning to support successful transitions after an inpatient stay. Therapeutic approaches include:
Note: Learn more about the Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Behavioral Health Center View the Financial Assistance Policy and Application. View the Plain Language Summary of the Financial Assistance Policy. In accordance with Affordable Care Act requirements, view standard charges for Children’s Behavioral Health Services Center. Outpatient and Evidence-Based Services100 Deerfield Lane, Suite 100 Outpatient Services Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services’ Community-based Outpatient Services team provides behavioral health services for children, adolescents and young adults, ages 2 to 19, who are diagnosed with depression, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorder and poor impulse control. We offer individual therapy, as well as family therapy. Individual therapy identifies a child’s specific behavioral challenges and develops the use of skills to enhance the individual’s strengths through various forms of therapy. Family therapy focuses on improving and enhancing family communication and positive support through parent education and family system therapy. During therapy, parents and caregivers are provided with parenting strategies and techniques that enable them to provide the best support for their children. Other outpatient services offered at our Malvern, Pennsylvania, location include:
Blended Case Management Services (BCM) Family-Based Services Our Family-Based Services support children, adolescents and young adults, ages 2 to 21 – with significant behavioral and emotional challenges – to live successfully with their families in their own communities. This program incorporates families and caregivers in the treatment process to ensure a child’s positive involvement in their home, school or community – and to reduce the possibility of placement in residential treatment, psychiatric hospitals or foster placements. To reach this goal, clinicians visit children and families within their homes. Parents acquire effective management skills and approaches to improve the child’s well-being, while the child, adolescent or young adult learns skills to become successful in school, follow directions at home, develop and maintain positive relationships within the community, and reach expected emotional, social and academic achievements. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) DBT requires a six-month commitment; youth will participate in skills group therapy, individual therapy and family group sessions. Phone coaching is available 24/7 to promote real-life skills practice. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Student Assistance Program (SAP) The Student Assistance Program team is comprised of school staff (teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, school nurse, etc.) and agency staff, including a SAP Liaison from Devereux. The team is trained to identify students who are experiencing barriers to learning and success in school. These barriers may include, but are not limited to, attendance issues, academic difficulties, mental health concerns, substance use and grief. Youth Peer Support |
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