The Child and Adolescent Inpatient Program (CAIP) gives young people support to cope, learn, and grow while getting mental health care. Families and caregivers can use this guide to learn what to expect and feel more confident helping their child.
Most rooms have a secure locker where you can store a small number of personal belongings. For the safety of all patients, your care team will check your belongings when you arrive and throughout your stay. This helps us remove items that could be dangerous to you or other patients.
When you stay on the CAIP unit, we encourage you to bring:
To create a safe space for all patients, WRHN has a scent-free policy. You also cannot bring any of these items onto the unit:
We may ask you to remove body piercings, including earrings and metal piercings, if they are a risk to your safety. WRHN cannot take responsibility for lost, broken, or stolen belongings.
Here is what an average day looks like on the CAIP unit:
The team working with you and your family includes:
We also focus on including your family or care partners in your care. They are often asked to attend family meetings. Our goal is to help them support you through your hospital stay, treatment, and after you go home.
We will work together with you and your family or care partners to set goals. Your care and treatment plan will include some of the following activities:
During your stay, there may be times when you can leave the unit. These opportunities can help you begin to return to regular activities. It will also help us see how you will do when you leave the hospital. Your doctor and care team will work with you to decide when you are ready for this step.
Leaving the unit is a chance for you to try out the skills and strategies you have learned with your family or care partners. We will ask you and your family to share a written plan for your time off the unit. We will also help you to set some reasonable goals that you can work on during this time.
When you return, we will ask you and your family to complete a pass evaluation. It will provide important information for your care team.
Meals are usually eaten in the dining and activity room at planned times. You are not allowed to share snacks, including chips or candy. You can keep nonperishable snacks in your room.
You can ask your family or care partners to clean your clothes at home, but we also have a washer and dryer on the unit. If you would like to wash your clothes, ask your care team.
Please ask a team member if you want to make a phone call. You can only call family members during your stay.
Our priority is the safety of patients, visitors, and our team. CAIP has many supports and procedures to keep everyone safe:
We can all contribute to a safe environment. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please let the care team know.
Patient privacy is important to us. Everything you say and do during your stay is confidential.
Cameras and electronic devices that take pictures are not allowed on the unit. This helps us ensure patient privacy.
During your stay, we will give you a number that acts as a privacy code. You can share it with people you want to know your general health information. When your family member calls, they tell the privacy code to the team. This lets us know you give us permission to share your health information with them.
Sometimes, people may not be able to have visitors. We suggest calling before you visit. You can also call to ask about visiting outside of regular hours. Our phone numbers are:
Care partners are an important part of the care team. A care partner can be a family member, friend, or other important person in the patient’s life.
We welcome questions from care partners. You can also help by sharing information you think is important. To speak with the care team, call 519-749-4300, ext. 2144 for 1G or ext. 5900 for 9A.
Patients may choose to give care partners their privacy code number. When you call, we will ask you for the patient’s name and this code. This lets us know we have permission to share the patient’s health information with you.
The family navigator is here to support families and care partners. They have personal experience supporting a loved one receiving mental health care. They can provide you with helpful information and resources.
There are also family education meetings, support groups and community resources available.
To learn more, please call 519-749-4300, ext. 5888.
Parents and guardians often feel many different emotions when their child comes home from the hospital. These feelings may include relief, stress, worry, or concern. Your child also may have similar fears and emotions.
Before your child goes home, we will review the following with you:
During their stay, your child will create a crisis safety plan. This plan helps your child recognize:
Please let us know your questions and concerns. We are here to help. The following suggestions can also help your child return home smoothly:
Review your child’s crisis safety plan. Put copies in places that are easy to see, such as on the fridge door.
If your child takes medicine, it is important to know:
If you have any concerns, please contact your child’s doctor.
Returning to school can be stressful for your child. They may worry about schoolwork they missed and what to say to their friends. We work with their school to create a re-entry plan to support them.
On their first day back at school, your child should check in with staff member chosen to support them. They should also bring a copy of their crisis or safety plan.
Make your home a safe environment. This may include removing, securing, or locking up the following items:
When you share your compliments and concerns, you help make care better. We value hearing from patients, families, care partners, and community members. Your feedback helps us understand what we are doing well and where we can improve.