The Day Treatment Program serves 16 seriously disturbed (SED) youth from 12 to 17 years of age, who need more intensive treatment than weekly psychotherapy, but who do not require residential care or hospitalization. These children are referred to Contra Costa County Mental Health by the Mount Diablo Unified School District and the Contra Costa County Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA).

The program is a five-hour therapeutic treatment program, operating five days per week, 218 days per year. The anticipated length of placement is 9-12 months. The daily schedule includes academic classes, group therapy, creative culture and outdoor activities. Therapeutic treatment is individualized and may include milieu treatment, behavior management, individual, group and family treatment.

The Mount Diablo Unified School District provides teachers and aides for the academic portion of the program. FamiliesFirst provides mental health specialists, counselors, a licensed clinician, psychiatrist and program director.

Goals of the program include:

1. provide intensive therapeutic services to boys and girls to enhance community, family and social functioning;
   
2. to provide intensive treatment to children that allows them to remain in their community, thus reinforcing their bonds with family and community;
   
3. to provide the highest quality and cost-effective services to children  and families;
   
4. to provide children with the least restrictive placement setting in which their service needs are met;
   
5. to work collaboratively with other service providers;
   
6. to engage the families of children in services whenever possible;
7. to discharge children into a less restrictive environment whenever possible.