Children's Wisconsin is transforming its infrastructure and adding unique entry points to better serve kids when a mental health need is identified. This includes the first-of-its-kind pediatric effort to provide same-day care—the Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-In Clinic. The Walk-In Clinic provides care for kids ages 5-18 with urgent mental health issues with no appointment needed. Clinicians evaluate the child, provide a brief intervention, help coordinate care and ensure families are connected to additional resources or follow-up care.

Following the Waukesha holiday parade tragedy, Children’s hospital-based psychologists provided counseling to injured children, and created a mental health support line to address the trauma of the greater community. The support line was staffed by Children’s mental health experts who provided guidance for families on how to discuss the tragedy with their children and connect them to additional resources, if needed.

Children’s mental and behavioral health services extend beyond southeastern Wisconsin with care provided at locations across the state. In the Fox Valley area, Children’s is proud to be a partner of Catalpa Health, a pediatric outpatient mental health and wellness organization, to provide therapy, psychology and psychiatry services in clinics and schools. With extended times to receive therapy services, Catalpa set up group therapy to help assess children and ensure those with urgent needs receive the support they need. 

Children’s is helping ensure kids get the right care at the right time, no matter when their needs arise.