What Is Residential Treatment?

Residential Treatment Center (RTC) means a 24-hour residential program that provides 24-hour inpatient and highly structured level of care. RTC is used to stabilize a severely emotionally disturbed and/or psychiatrically unstable child in a short period, generally 3-6 months, within a restrictive and highly structured environment. This setting is appropriate only when least restrictive services have been attempted and have been unsuccessful.

Specialized Therapeutic Group Home (STGH) is an intensive, community-based, psychiatric, residential treatment service designed for children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe emotional disturbances. STGH is designed for youth who are ready for a step-down from a RTC or to avoid placement into a RTC.

Criteria:

• The child has an emotional disturbance as defined in Section 394.492(5), F.S., or a serious emotional disturbance as defined in Section 394.492(6), F.S.;
• The emotional disturbance or serious emotional disturbance requires treatment in a residential treatment center
• All available treatment that is less restrictive than residential treatment has been considered or is unavailable
• The treatment provided in the residential treatment center is reasonably likely to resolve the child’s presenting problems as identified by the licensed psychologist or psychiatrist
• The treatment facility is qualified by staff, program and equipment to give the care and treatment required by the child’s condition, age, and cognitive ability