Acute Care When Your Child Needs It Most
When a child is experiencing a psychiatric crisis, whether thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or behaviors that put themselves or others at risk, our acute psychiatric inpatient program provides immediate safety and stabilization. We’re here when families need us most.
Our acute psychiatric inpatient program is designed for children and adolescents ages 5 to 17 who require immediate, intensive psychiatric care. This short-term program focuses on crisis stabilization, safety, and developing a plan for ongoing care.
Safety comes first. From the moment your child arrives, our team focuses on stabilization: constant supervision, a calm and structured environment, and immediate psychiatric evaluation. Once your child is stable, the work shifts to understanding what led to the crisis and what needs to change.
Care comes from the hospital’s full multidisciplinary team: psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed therapists, registered nurses, and behavioral health staff. An acute stay typically includes medication evaluation, individual and group therapy, family involvement, and around-the-clock nursing care.
Acute stays are short by design. The goal is to stabilize the crisis, then connect your child and family to the right ongoing care, whether that’s our standard inpatient program, outpatient therapy, or community-based services closer to home.
Our Walk-In Clinic is open 24/7 for psychiatric assessments, no appointment necessary. Call the Children’s Hospital at (270) 689-6800 or contact us online.
What to Expect
Everything starts at our 24/7 Walk-In Clinic. A trained provider will assess your child and determine whether acute inpatient care is needed. If it is, admission can happen right away, and our team will walk you through what to bring and what happens next.
You’ll be kept informed and involved throughout the stay. Before discharge, the team builds a safety plan and an aftercare plan with you, including follow-up appointments and connections to ongoing support.
Other Children’s Hospital Services
Inpatient Services
Intensive, round-the-clock psychiatric care for children and teens ages 4-17. Individualized treatment plans, on-site school, and family involvement throughout the healing process.
Individual Group Family Therapy
Individual therapy, group experiences, and family sessions tailored to each child’s needs. Licensed clinicians specializing in youth care help children and teens build coping skills and resilience.
Specialized Therapeutic Activities
Art, music, movement, and recreation designed to promote healing and self-expression. Our specialized activities help children build confidence, develop coping skills, and discover new strengths.
Medication Evaluation Management
Careful medication evaluation by child and adolescent psychiatrists. Family-involved decision-making, close monitoring, and clear discharge planning for the best possible outcomes.
Nursing Care Crisis Support
Registered nurses and behavioral health associates providing continuous, compassionate care and crisis support around the clock. Trained in pediatric psychiatric care and therapeutic intervention techniques.
Behavioral Intervention Services
Evidence-based behavioral intervention focused on understanding root causes and building healthier skills. Individualized behavioral plans, consistent reinforcement, and family education for lasting positive change.
Specialized Therapies
Targeted programs including the STATE Program for autism spectrum disorder, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based clinical approaches tailored to each child’s unique needs and diagnosis.
