DART Program
The Developmental Adolescent Residential Treatment (DART) Program serves children and adolescents who have a developmental disability as well as a serious emotional or behavioral problem. Our goal is to reduce mental/behavioral problems and develop more effective skills, enabling residents to return to living and functioning in their own community to the fullest extent possible. For families in need of temporary care, we also offer Respite Services.
DART offers a number of specialized services to resident, including:
- Behavior therapy
- Psychiatric services
- Individual and group therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Individualized educational programming
- Medical care
- Skill development
- Spiritual opportunities
The DART Program’s “whole person” philosophy places the individual's value as a person at the core of everything we do. Helping adolescents achieve the best possible quality of life is our top priority. We focus on teaching and on helping them to change, rather than simply to “manage”, behaviors. Our emphasis on unique abilities, not disabilities, empowers them to assume control of their lives and reach their greatest potential.
A minimum of four hours of residential treatment programming are provided each day. DART also has 24-hour on-call coverage for psychiatry, case management, nursing, staffing, operations, and administrative concerns.
Licensed as a secure Child Caring Institution, DART serves boys and girls between the ages of eight and 18.
Click here for a Full Program description
Respite Services
Caring for a personal with special needs can be a full-time endeavor. DART offers respite services for children with developmental disabilities, giving families the time they need to renew and refresh. These services are available to children and adolescents ages 8-18, for a 24-hour period up to a 7-day stay.
A respite stay includes:
- Room and board
- Medication monitoring
- Day programming, which may include in-house activities, community outings, playground, and full size gym
- Clinical consultation
- Behavioral tracking (when requested and feasible)
To initiate a respite referral, call one of the DART Case Managers Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at one of the following numbers: (616) 726-1975 or (616) 389-2720
If you do not receive a response within two hours of your call, please call the DART Program Director at (616) 292-8291.
If your loved one exhibits symptoms of autism or another neurodevelopmental disability, please contact your family care physician or the Center for Autism.
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