Thriving Mind has funded the first and only Short Term Residential (SRT) program for children and youth in the State of Florida.

The 16-bed SRT program, located at Citrus Health Network and funded through Thriving Mind, accepts referrals from both Thriving Mind and Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC). The 16 beds are divided between the two counties: eight for individuals from Miami­-Dade and eight for individuals from Broward.

Thriving Mind has expanded SRT services for our community for adults, and now is the only region in the state that has implemented an SRT for youth 17 and younger.

While working on House Bill 945 (after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting), SRT was identified as a gap in the Children’s System of Care.

SRT is used to treat youth who need continued crisis services and possibly divert from residential treatment. An SRT program is a state-supported acute care 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week residential alternative service, typically with lengths of stay of 90 days or less. It is an integrated part of a designated public receiving facility and receives state mental health funds.

SRT is available to youth 17 years of age or younger, who have a diagnosis of emotional disturbance or serious emotional disturbance. They are at risk of hospitalization, entering the child welfare system or incarceration because of mental health reasons. They may be acutely ill, needing supervision and support.

SRT provides intensive short-term treatment to individuals who are temporarily in need of a 24-hour-a-day structured therapeutic setting in a less restrictive setting than a Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Programs (SIPP) but need a longer-stay alternative to brief crisis hospitalization.

These services meet the needs of individuals who are experiencing an acute or immediately sub-acute crisis and who, in the absence of a suitable alternative, would require hospitalization.

This is the only SRT in Florida for youth.

The program is based at Citrus’ location at 4175 W. 20th Ave. in Hialeah. To reach Citrus, please call 305-825-0300.