Residential Treatment Programs for Young Children {Ages 5- 12 Years Old}

Are you seeking residential treatment for a child who is young? Programs can be difficult to find for elementary school children, but they do exist. Here is a listing of program by state that accept boys and girls who are ages 5-12 years old.

When Young Kids Need Treatment Outside of Their Home & Why It’s Hard to Find

Children do best within families in order to grow into mature and productive adults. The goal is always to keep a child within their family and community whenever possible.

However, the sad reality is that there are times when very young children need residential treatment in order to keep the child or family safe. Some children have extreme physical, emotional, medical, or mental health issues that make it impossible for them to live in a home environment.

While it’s not a decision to be taken lightly or one most parents ever want to face, there are times when residential treatment for a child is the best option for all involved.

Difficulty with Residential Treatment for Younger Kids

Finding residential treatment for young children can be especially difficult because many programs are geared toward pre-teens and teens. They might not have the facilities and staff available to meet the needs of a younger child. On-campus schools may not have teachers for younger grades.

Parents, social workers, school districts and judges need to be open to placing their child in a program that is far away or even out of state and in a few cases, outside of the country.

Consider hiring an advocate to help or click here to find funding for residential treatment.

While it may be tempting to try to convince a program to accept a younger child, keep in mind that this can present safety concerns. As much as staff do their best to supervise, younger children could become victims of teens and older children in the program.

A young child may be exposed to discussion about gangs, drugs, alcohol, sexual content, violence, or other topics that are not appropriate for a elementary schooler.

Below is a listing of programs that accept younger children. Do you know of a program to add? Email us or share it in the comments below.

Programs for younger children may be specialized. Note that some programs are for children with autism and some specifically accept children with medical conditions or Intellectual Disability (ID or lower IQ). Contact each program to learn more.

Residential Placements for Children Ages 5-12 Years Old – Listed by State

Program listings are for information purposes only are do not imply a recommendation.

These are residential treatment listings for 5 year olds, 6 year olds, 7 year olds, 8 year olds, 9 year olds, 10 year olds, 11 year olds, and 12 year olds. Check each listings to confirm the ages they accept.

Residential Treatment Programs for Young Children in Alabama

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) in Talledaga

The Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind is for males and females ages 3 to 21. They strive to create an atmosphere that will nurture the potential of each student while giving them fun, recreational activities & experiences.

At the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Residential School, students will experience daily contact with role models in their teachers and other staff who may also have vision or hearing loss.

Call  (256) 761-3259 for The Alabama Institute for the Blind, and (256) 761-3214 for The Alabama Institute for the Deaf or visit their website.

Daniel House in Birmingham

The Daniel House provides highly structured, intensive residential treatment programs for severely emotionally disturbed boys ages 6-14. These programs serve boys who have been unsuccessful in less restrictive environments.  Daniel House programs are nondiscriminatory programs serving children from across the state of Alabama.

For more information about Daniel House please call (205) 939-1088 or visit website.

Residential Treatment for Young Children in Arizona

Devereux Arizona in Scottsdale and Tucson

Devereux Arizona’s 24-hour Residential Treatment Center (RTC) and Therapeutic School is located in Scottsdale and can serve up to 52 children. Devereux serves youth ages 5 to 17 who are struggling with emotional, behavioral, and substance abuse issues.

Devereux Arizona also has an Assessment and Intervention Center (AIC) in Tucson which serves youth ages 9-17. Here they do comprehensive evaluations and provide intensive behavioral support in a structured environment for up to forty five days.

Devereux Arizona, also in Tucson, has a Brief Intervention Program (BIP) which is designed for youth with severe deficits in social, behavioral, psychiatric, and psychological functioning. This environment offers a high degree of supervision by a highly skilled staff.

For more information about Devereux Arizona Contact: (602) 283-1573 or visit their website.

Residential Treatment for Young Children in Arkansas

Methodist Family Health in Little Rock

Methodist Family Health has several residential treatment centers throughout the state of Arkansas. They have Psychiatric Residential Treatment Centers in Little Rock and Bono, and Therapeutic Group Homes in Fayetteville, Heber Springs, Helena-West, Little Rock, Magnolia, Searcy, and Springdale.

Each Therapeutic Group Home serves 6 to 8 boys and girls ages 12 to 18 and provides a stable environment in which residents can experience healthy family interactions and learn to manage their emotions and behaviors.

The Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center cares for boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in a group home setting. The program provides treatment of mental disorders diagnosed by a mental health professional.

For more information about Methodist Family Health call 501-661-0720 or visit their website.

Residential Treatment Programs for Young Children in Colorado

Devereux Colorado in Westminster

Devereux Colorado’s psychiatric residential treatment program serves boys and girls ages 9 to 17, with significant emotional and behavioral challenges.

They provide long-term, therapeutic and educational support for youth at their licensed psychiatric residential treatment facility in Westminster, Colorado. The individuals who enter into their care have not responded to treatment in lower levels of care, or have been unable to access the care they need.

Devereux Colorado also provides a short-term residential/hospital divert program for children and adolescents. Their Rapid Stabilization Unit stabilizes individuals with acute mental illness and behavioral health challenges. This is available to youth ages 7 to 19. 

To find out more information about Devereux Colorado Contact (800) 456-2536 or visit their website.

Residential Treatment Programs for Young Children in Florida

Devereux Florida in Orlando

Devereux Florida in Orlando offers three residential programs which include Residential Group Care, a Residential Treatment Center, and Devereux’s Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program (SIPP). They provide a professional therapeutic environment for children and adolescents with considerable emotional, behavioral and psychological disorders.

The SIPP and the Residential Treatment Center provide care for boys and girls ages 5-17. Devereux’s Residential Group Care serves boys ages 11-17 with behavioral issues.

For more information about Devereux Orlando contact (800) 338-3738 or visit their website.

La Amistad in Maitland and Winter Park

La Amistad Behavioral Health Services Adolescent Residential Treatment Program has campuses in both Maitland and Winter Park. They provide for boys and girls ages 12 through 17 or grades 6-12. They serve youth with bipolar disorder, behavioral issues, dual disorder/substance abuse, ADHD, trauma, sexual and physical abuse, anxiety, schizophrenia, and more.

Call 1-800-433-1122 or visit their website for more information.

Residential Treatment Programs for Young Children in Illinois

Allendale Association in Lake Villa

Allendale Association provides a 24/7 Therapeutic Residential Program that offers intensive help for youth with serious emotional and behavioral problems.

They serve autistic kids ages 5-10 in a residential setting and provide a therapeutic residential program that serves males as young as 5 years old and females as young as 12 years old. They also have a group home program that provides trauma-informed support to troubled kids in a home-like setting.

Contact Allendale through their website or by calling  847-245-6207.

O-School in Chicago

The O-School offers a highly specialized level of care for children and adolescents ages 5 to 21 with severe mental and emotional health challenges, or life disrupting issues related to being on the autism spectrum.

You can contact the O-School by calling 773-420-2900 or by visiting their website.

Residential Treatment for Young Children in Kansas

Lakemary Center in Paola

Lakemary Center is located south of Kansas City and offers a k-12 accredited school for boys and girls with special needs.

Lakemary also has a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility which provides 24/7 therapeutic treatment for children and young adults ages 6-21 with a dual diagnosis of an intellectual/developmental disability (such as Autism) and a psychiatric disorder.

Contact Lakemary Center by calling 913-557-4000 or visit their website.

Saint Francis Ministries in Salina

Saint Francis Residential Treatment is in central Kansas. Their residential care campus offers a rural, therapeutic environment that serves boys and girls ages 6-18 years old. They help youth overcome severe mental health and behavioral health struggles so they can return to their families and communities to lead healthier lives.

Saint Francis has a 42 bed Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility and two Qualified Residential Treatment Programs. Children who come to Saint Francis arrive may have experienced complex traumas that can manifest as self-harm, aggression towards others or to property, running away, substance abuse, inappropriate sexual behavior, and/or legal problems.

For more information about Saint Francis Ministries in Salina call 785-825-0541 or visit their website.

Residential Treatment Programs for Young Children in Maine

KidsPeace Graham Lake in Ellsworth

KidsPeace’s Graham Lake Campus is located on the shores of Graham Lake in Ellsworth, ME, providing 24-hour supervised care.

KidsPeace offers services to males and females ages 8 to 20 years old. The Therapeutic Residential Treatment Program provides highly-structured psychiatric care for youth requiring 24-hour clinical, residential and educational services and supervision. 

The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) program serves males and females 8-20 years old. Specialized care for children on the moderate end of the Autism Spectrum is offered in an highly structured environment.

KidsPeace Graham Lake can be reached by calling 207-667-0909 ext. 2312 or by visiting their website.

Residential Treatment Programs for Young Children in Massachusetts

Chamberlain International School in Middleboro

Chamberlain International School is a Therapeutic Boarding School for boys and girls age 11-22 with an intensive therapeutic program that also focuses on academic success.

Learning disabilities, mood disorders, personality disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, and Reactive Attachment Disorder are some of the issues Chamberlain works with using a variety of techniques by highly qualified therapists.

Call 508-947-7825 or visit their website for more information.

Devereux Massachusetts in Rutland

Devereux Massachusetts serves boys ages 9-21 in three campus units, and two residential care units. They provide a professional therapeutic environment for children, adolescents, and young adults with considerable emotional, behavioral and psychological disorders.

Once they leave the campus units, they can move to the residential care units where the main focus is on independent living and integrating back into their communities.

Call (508) 886-4746 or visit their website for more information.

Evergreen Center in Milford

The Evergreen Center provides day and residential treatment services to male and female children and young adults aged 6-22 with severe developmental disabilities. Evergreen’s typical students have been diagnosed with autism, developmental disabilities, physical handicaps or have been dually diagnosed.

Evergreen students live in residential neighborhoods in towns surrounding the educational facility, and travel to and from school.

Call 508-478-2631 or visit their website for more information.

Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton

The Judge Rotenberg Center is a day and residential school which serve children starting at age 5 through adult. They provide education for students with emotional, behavior, and/or psychiatric problems, as well as those with intellectual disabilities or those on the autism spectrum.

The Judge Rotenberg Center provides a highly structured educational and treatment program where students who have had little success in the past can succeed. The students reside in homes and apartments in the community, rather than dormitories.

 For more information call 781-828-2202 or visit their website.

May Institute in Randolph

May Institute is a nonprofit organization that serves children and adults with autism spectrum disorder as well as other developmental and neuro-behavioral disorders. They provide services to children, adolescents, and young adults, ages 3-22.

May Institute has several centers and schools listed below:

• Four Autism Schools located in Randolph, West Springfield, and Wilmington, Mass., as well as one school in Santa Cruz, California. Each school provides care for males and females ages 3-22.
• A Brain Injury School on a large campus in Norwood, Mass serving ages 5-22 with residential services available.
• Adult Services which include over 100 group homes and apartments, rehabilitation services, vocational training, and help in finding employment.

Call 800-778-7601 or visit their website for more information.

Stetson School in Barre

Stetson School is a Residential Treatment Program for boys ages 9-22 with problematic behaviors, complex developmental difficulties, autism spectrum disorders, chronic mental illness, severe trauma, histories of sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse.

Stetson has a specialized latency program which is a trauma-sensitive treatment environment for male youth, aged 9-13 with IQs of 55 and above who have been traumatized and have sexual behavioral issues.

For more information about Stetson School call 508-755-2340 or visit their website.

Boston Higashi School in Randolph

The Boston Higashi school’s mission is to help children and young adults ages 3-22 with Autism Spectrum Disorder learn to reach their full potential. They use the methodology of Daily Life Therapy which was developed by the late Dr. Kiyo Kitahara of Tokyo, Japan.

For more information about Boston Higashi School call 781-961-0800 or visit their website

Residential Treatment Programs for Young Children in New Hampshire

Legacy By Gersh in Greenfield

Legacy by Gersh is a school that offers autism services for students for Kindergarten through 12th grade, ages 5-18 years old. The school provides vocational training and residential services. Each campus is fully equipped to serve individuals on the autism spectrum at every stage in their life and development.

To find more information about Legacy by Gersh call 603-547-1894 or visit their website.

Spaulding Academy

Spaulding Academy & Family Services’ Residential Program offers a cottage-based nurturing community which fosters the philosophies of a family unit. They offer year-round, comprehensive special educational services for boys and girls with emotional and behavioral disorders in grades K-8, and students with neurobehavioral disorders from kindergarten (age 5) to age 21.

Spaulding Academy & Family Services serves grades K-12 with disabilities including autism, emotional handicap, intellectual disabilities, speech or language impairment, specific learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, and many more.

Contact Spaulding Academy by calling 603-286-8901 or by checking out their website.

Residential Programs for Young Children in Ohio

The Marsh Foundation in Van Wert

The Marsh Foundation offers four on-campus group homes for males ages 7 – 17. Three of the group homes are licensed to house up to 10 boys. One of these is dedicated to The Marsh’s program for male juvenile sex offenders. The homes are staffed 24-hours a day.

Call (419) 238-1695 or visit their website for more information.

Residential Programs for Young Children in Oklahoma

Cookson Hills in Kansas, OK

Cookson Hills is a children’s home in Northeast Oklahoma serving boys and girls ages 5-17 who are at risk. They have experienced homelessness, poor peer relationships, abuse, or neglect.

Cookson Hills offers a no-cost solution for kids who have experienced homelessness, poor peer relationships, abuse, or neglect.

Click here to read a parent review of Cookson Hills.

You can contact them at 918-948-6300 or by visiting their website.

Residential Programs for Young Children in Pennsylvania

Melmark in Berwyn

Melmark in Berwyn’s program offers residential services for students aged 5 to 21 years who have been formally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities. They help children whose behavior may include self-harm or harm to others.

Contact Melmark in Berwyn at 888-635-6275 or through their website for more information.

Milton Hershey School in Hershey

Milton Hershey School is a free boarding school for low-income families who desire an improved educational experience for their children. Note that this school placement is NOT for children with mental health or behavior problems. The school was founded by businessman and chocolatier Milton Hershey.

Students are accepted who are 4-15 years old.

Contact the Hershey School through their website.

Residential Programs for Young Children in Texas

Boy’s Ranch in Amarillo

Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch is a residential community open to at-risk children ages 5 to 18. The program is run entirely by donations and parents are not required to contribute to their child’s tuition. The Ranch accepts both boys and girls.

Contact Boys Ranch through their website or by calling 800-687-3722.

Click here to read parent reviews of Boys Ranch.

Residential Programs for Young Children in Wisconsin

Genesee Lake School in Oconomowoc

Genesee Lake School is an employee-owned company specializing in treatment for both males and females ages 7 to 21 who have been diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability are the primary diagnoses of the students who attend Genesee Lake School. Many of their students also have secondary or coexisting diagnoses for mental health needs.

For more information about Genesee Lake School call 262-569-5510 or visit their website

Residential Treatment for Young Children Outside of the United States

Youth of Vision in Academy in St. Catherine, Jamaica

The Youth of Vision Academy (YOVA) is a private Christian boarding school established to provide educational, therapeutic and behavioral services to children and young adolescents. The program accepts children starting at 8 years old.

Click here to read about one mom’s experience with sending her son to YOVA and the exact costs involved.

Contact YOVA through their website.

Use this list of treatment programs to find a program that is suitable for a young children. Do you have another program to include? Share about it in the comments below.