FOCUS

Family Outpatient Center of Unified Services (FOCUS)

Children Deserve a chance to CHANGE

Focus is a day treatment program operated jointly by the Des Moines Public Schools and Broadlawns Medical Center.  The program serves children in grades three through eight.  At FOCUS, a team of educators, psychologists, social workers and a recreational therapist provide a highly structured environment for learning and growth in a therapeutic/school setting.  FOCUS operates under the medical supervision of a psychiatrist to ensure proper clinical treatment and care.

Children Who Are Best Served by the FOCUS Program:

  • Children with unresolved history of behavioral and/or emotional problems.

  • Children who have active and consistent family support.

  • Children who do not engage in significant patterns of aggressive behavior that endangers themselves or others.

  • Children whose families actively participate in all areas of the program, therapeutically and educationally.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Educational

  • Low student/teacher ratio

  • Intensive social skills training

  • Individualized academic assessment upon entering the program

  • Individualized academic instruction

Therapy

  • Individual Therapy: one-on-one sessions with child and primary therapist

  • Family Therapy: sessions include the child, primary therapist, parents and any other significant people the family chooses to participate

  • Group Therapy: small group sessions with other chldren in the program and one or two therapists

  • Recreational Therapy: small group sessions with other children in the program and the recreational therapist working on improving motor and leisure skills

Admission Procedure:

Step 1:  A referral is made by the parent or any other professional working with the child.  Contact the Educational Unit Leader at 515.242.7795
Step 2:  An intake interview is scheduled iwth the Educational Leader to further inform parents about the program and for FOCUS coordinators to obtain more specific information about the child’s needs.
Step 3:  Families need to meet financial criteria established by Broadlawns to pay for therapy services (Title 19 coverage).
Step 4:  A psychiatric evaluation may be recommended to assess further clinical needs of the child.
Step 5:  The child is evaluated and staffed for special education services, if needed.

Educational Staff
Beth Walling – Unit leader

Middle School Staff
Michelle Hathoway

Jimmy Roberts

Michelle Simons

Elementary Staff:

Barb Montis

Karla O’Toole

Associates:

Jodi Cholvibul
Dana Burch
Carol Baker
Erin Stites
Paula Reszel
Laura Waugh