Medical Day Treatment Teachers and Care Team

At Children’s Hospital Colorado, school is different. The Medical Day Treatment Program, a unique school and treatment program at Children’s Colorado, is designed to meet the needs of children coping with significant medical health needs. Here, children with long-lasting medical conditions have access to hospital experts and services to meet their medical, mental health and academic needs . 

Our accredited academic program employs paraprofessionals and certified teachers from Aurora Public Schools, along with healthcare professionals. All medical day treatment specialists undergo extensive background checks. 

Upon admission, each child and family is paired with a dedicated mental health professional, either a psychologist or behavioral health clinician (licensed clinical social worker). These specialists meet with children at least once a week to provide emotional support, help process challenges and build coping skills for managing stress and difficult experiences. They also play an important role in family care, joining monthly family meetings to share insights, discuss progress and provide guidance on supporting your child at home. 

Nurses 

Our nurses are onsite year-round during the academic year and summer programming to care for students’ health, maintain meal and medicine schedules, monitor health changes and report on progress.  

Teachers  

Our program’s lead educator is certified to teach K-12 in Colorado and Aurora Public Schools, and works during the traditional school year to oversee academics and a team of paraprofessionals. This team structure helps keep students in multiple grades on track academically.

Paraprofessionals 

With children from elementary through high school, curriculum runs wide so each classroom has vetted paraprofessionals who provide critical support for the teacher.  

Mental health experts  

Complex health issues — especially those that keep children from school and friends — can take an emotional toll. A dedicated team of mental health professionals works in tandem with the educators and nurses in the Medical Day Treatment Program to provide care onsite for students and their families.  

Child life specialists  

Child life specialists from Children’s Colorado provide engaging and fun activities to help students feel a sense of normalcy. They also help medical care more enjoyable for kids through many innovative techniques. 

Creative arts therapists  

Creative arts therapists use art, music, dance, movement and yoga as tools for communication, emotional release and healing in an open and supportive environment. 

Contact us 

For more information, or if you are a physician seeking to make a referral, please call 720-777-2900.