These are children who generally have never "fit in" in traditional school settings, and often have impulsive outbursts and histories of aggression or self-injury. Typically, they have suffered multiple placement failures, including psychiatric hospitalizations. Thus, the program emphasizes the following elements:

• Structure
• Skill-building
• Modeling appropriate coping skills
• DBT/Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Education through an on-site school
• Social skills training
• Preparation for transition to next level of care