Day Treatment Program

The Day Treatment Program offers an intensive, all-day model of care which includes 5 meals per day, 5 days per week (Monday through Friday), typically for 8 weeks.

All patients in this program are treated by a team that includes a gastroenterologist, psychologist, behavior analyst, speech language pathologist, registered dietitian, and behavior technicians.

Children get a really good jump start from the program, and this intensive, interdisciplinary approach is usually the optimal place to begin. The solid foundation that is laid allows children to continue to make excellent progress during outpatient follow-up appointments. This program allows for consistent practice of new oral-motor skills and feeding behaviors as well as close monitoring of nutrition and medical issues.

In the beginning of the Day Treatment Program, the treatment team works directly with each child to figure out what works best for them, and parents are welcome to observe, give input, and ask questions. After the team figures out what works best, parents join us in the treatment room and start feeding their child. While it is best for one of the child’s main caregivers to be present every day because progress and changes happen so fast, a parent or other caregiver is required to be with the child at least three days per week. This ensures that the child’s main support system learns along with the child, and the child can begin to eat at home with their family as soon as possible.

Your child might play, nap or do schoolwork in between meals. We offer private nap/break rooms for our patients, and we also have a larger lounge within our feeding clinic space that families can use to relax, play or connect with other families in the program. Additionally, patients and families are welcome to use MMI’s wonderful new outdoor playground. There are also a variety of shops and restaurants to explore during longer breaks located within walking distance in the Aksarben neighborhood.

Yes! Please contact our clinic coordinator, Melissa Nieman, and she can coordinate lodging with the Ronald McDonald House here in Omaha. She can also provide a list of extended stay hotels.

Contact Melissa: Email  | 402-559-7039

The Day Treatment Program runs Monday-Friday, and children have 5 meals per day in the program. Given this intensive schedule, children are not able to attend school in the classroom during this time. However, there are opportunities for virtual learning and/or homebound instruction services through your child’s school.

Please see more detailed information and FAQ’s in the virtual/homebound instruction section.

• What is virtual schooling?
  • With the transition to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, many school districts offer virtual learning classes. Your child will have breaks in between meals and could attend some virtual classes. Our clinic has guest Wi-Fi that you will be able to access while you are in the clinic.

• What is homebound instruction?
  • Homebound instruction is a free service provided to students who are unable to attend school due to a medical condition. Children participating in the Day Treatment Program would qualify for this method of instruction.

• What services would my child receive?
  • A teacher would come to your location to help your child or meet via electronic format (e.g., Zoom, Skype, FaceTime). Instruction is provided in your child’s current core classes.

• Who is eligible for homebound instruction?
  • Any child who is attending public school, has a health condition, and has been certified by a physician to be absent for an extended period of time.
  • The local school district is responsible for providing homebound instructional service when:
    • The child has been enrolled in a school district and assigned to an appropriate regular or special education program and is eligible to receive homebound services. For our Day Treatment Program specifically, these services would need to begin at the beginning of your child’s day treatment admission.
    • The child is unable to attend school because of illness or injury.
    • The child has been absent from school for one week.
    • Medical personnel have determined that the child is able to participate in instructional activities.

• My child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Does this provide eligibility for homebound services?
  • Yes, your child would be eligible to receive homebound instruction. You will need to coordinate instruction with your child’s individualized education team or multidisciplinary team to develop a homebound instruction plan.

• My child attends a private or parochial school. Does this provide eligibility for homebound services?
  • Unfortunately, no. You would need to contact the public school in your area to determine possible eligibility for homebound services. However, some private and parochial schools are happy to provide some services while children are absent for medical reasons, and we encourage you to ask your child’s school personnel for possible accommodations.

• My family lives far away and would be staying in the area during the 8-week program. How would my child receive homebound services?
  • Check with your local school district first as there may be virtual homebound services provided in your district. If not, there may be an option to temporarily transfer your child to a local school district to receive homebound services during their time in the Day Treatment Program.

• When would homebound services start?
  • We recommend working with your child’s school district to make arrangements for homebound services as soon as possible after you are notified that your child’s admission date will be coming soon. Notification of the school district needs to occur no later than 5 school days before you would like homebound instruction to start. You will need to contact your child’s school to determine the process for homebound services.

• How do I apply?
  • Some school districts request a formal letter to verify the reason for the medical absence and the dates your child will be absent. We would be happy to provide you with a letter from our team describing the need for homebound instruction.

Our clinic coordinator is happy to work with you and your insurance company regarding insurance coverage for day treatment services.