A New Model of Care for New York State
The Children’s Specialty Hospital for Short-Term Assessment and Treatment of Complex Conditions
In a groundbreaking development for New York State, The Center for Discovery® will open a first of its kind Children’s Specialty Hospital that will transform the standard of care for children with complex conditions.
New York State does not currently have any short-term, inpatient assessment programs for children with complex developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders and medical frailties. As children with complex disabilities become adolescents, they may require additional support, both in classrooms and at home. Teachers and parents may find it more challenging to engage and support them, especially if they present challenging or maladaptive behaviors.
Recognizing these challenges, The Center is building a Children’s Specialty Hospital to provide a short-term, clinical assessment program with the goal of better diagnosing underlying problems that affect behavior and learning. Improved understanding of underlying physiological, medical, and mental health problems will lead to more targeted treatments and interventions, all to enable children and adolescents to remain at home, in school, and integrated in the community.
The Children’s Specialty Hospital will conduct comprehensive medical, behavioral, and clinical assessments over a maximum of six months. Staff will engage parents, caregivers, and school district personnel as partners in the process. The hospital, scheduled to open in fall of 2023, is expected to save New York State millions of dollars each year, with the goal of replicating this model throughout the state and the nation.
For more information about supporting the Children’s Specialty Hospital, please contact Michael Rosen, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Communications, at mrosen@tcfd.org.