Pathway Family Services, Inc. Different Journeys. Endless Opportunities.

At Pathway Family Services, Inc., we believe the family is the most important piece to a child’s ability to thrive. Our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) works actively with families, child welfare agencies, hospitals, and community mental health centers, in collaborative partnership, to offer strengths-based, culturally competent and medically appropriate treatment. Our (PRTF) provides comprehensive mental health treatment to children and adolescents who, due to mental illness, substance abuse, or severe emotional disturbance, are in need of treatment that can most effectively be provided in a facility such as ours. PRTF programs are designed to provide short-term, intense, focused treatment that is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week and to promote a successful return to a youth’s family or to another less restrictive community living situation as soon as clinically possible.

Pathway Family Services, Inc.

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility 4101 SW Martin Drive Topeka, Kansas 66609

(785) 861-7147

Troy Hoppes, Director Brad Foster, Assistant Director

Our building was totally renovated to house Pathway Family Services’ programs. The Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) is approxi-mately 30,000 square feet and was opened in May, 2010. We know that this is a difficult time for youth and for their families, but we want to assure you that our knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process all along the way. It is our goal to pro-vide kids with the tools to live happy and productive lives.

Upon admittance to our PRTF, our experienced case coordinators meet new residents and spend time with them so that they can be evaluated for immediate care that they may need. Our on-site nursing staff will also do a non-invasive medical exam to assess the youth’s overall well-being and to review any medications they may currently be on. Our medical staff is prepared to make sure our residents are getting the very best care. Residents are also seen by our medical doctor every two weeks.

Pathway Family Services, Inc.’s PRTF is a Medicaid provider.

Staff work together on a daily basis to research and create the best plan possible for the kids in their care.

‘I believe our PRTF is successful

and stands out from others because ours is a project that has started from the ground up and has devel-oped into a successful program and facility. The foundation that has been put into place is due to the dedication and hard work of many, many people who believe in what they do and come to work ready to make a difference. I believe we have excellent leadership in all of the different disciplines and collabora-tively we have been able to reach collective decisions to steer the development in the right direction.’ Brad Foster, Assistant Director

Developing relationships between staff and the youth we serve is paramount. Group therapy and individual time with our residents creates a safe environment for them to work through problems and find the tools to help them succeed in life. Our caring therapists tailor therapeutic strategies to our resident’s individual needs. During our community meetings, both staff and kids meet for PRTF announcements, goals and communications.

Learn more about the different therapeutic strategies that we employ through our web site.

Our residential wings are divided by gender We have a total of 49 beds. The boys’ wing can house up to 29 while the girls’ wing can house up to 20.

Our rooms are designed with safety in mind as well as colors that are calming and homey. Each of our residents are provided a bed, chair and open shelving.

Each wing has a private rest-room/shower as well as a larger restroom with multiple showers/toilets. Laundry rooms are provided in each wing for youth to do their own laundry.

Because the youth we serve may be struggling with mental illness, substance abuse or severe emotional disturbance, their safety and security are of utmost importance to us. Our staff is trained and experienced in being alert to potential safety issues and how to create a secure environment for youth to grow and thrive through their treatment. Additional safety measures:

Windows are unbreakable, one-view plexus-glass. No blinds or curtains.

Screws and light bulbs cannot be removed without special tools.

Razors, hair dryers, tooth brushes are used only with supervision.

Doors must be unlocked to be used as fire exits, however, when doors are

pushed open, there is a 10-20 second delay before it opens. In that amount of

time, staff will be able to attend to any unauthorized exits.

Security cameras are in place where screens are viewed from each security

desk. The laundry room has clear window where it is in full view of the security

staff.

Although our Topeka TRAIL apartments and CPA licensed office share this

building, they each have separate doors. The PRTF is its own building.

While in our PRTF, a youth’s education can continue. Our experienced teachers provide an education program approved by the Kansas State Board of Edu-cation through our partnership with USD 437. Caring for their students is exemplified by the unique partnership we have with USD 437 where they provide off-site special education when needed as well as regular educa-tion experiences. This education program is free of charge and is meets the needs of each students.

Our kitchen staff work hard to provide healthy, creative meals for our residents. We have a full service kitchen and a large, spacious dining hall. Windows along one wall brings the outside in while inspirational posters decorate the walls much in the same way they do throughout the PRTF.

The dining hall becomes a multi-purpose room that is used daily. When not hosting group therapy, it becomes a place where residents can play ping pong, work out frustration on the punching bag and socialize with wing-mates and staff.

Our day rooms give our residents the opportunity to socialize with other wing-mates, watch televi-sion, read, or do homework in a living room like setting. When possible, our staff encourages our residents to take advantage of time outdoors…fresh air, sunshine, and exercise!

You will often find a staff member playing basketball with youth, fishing or spending time on the walking trail. An outside patio area provides a great space for cookouts and special outdoor

‘I work with a group of people who not only love their job, but love the

residents and their coworkers as well. We come into work some days

without having that needed cup of coffee and yet simply by connecting

with another coworker through a look, we are encouraged to make the

best of what is to come. We know each other sometimes better than we

know ourselves. I am confident that there could not be another facility to

have as many caring and experienced staff as we do. Our ability to work

with one another on a professional level and still respect each other on a

personal level is very rare and extremely valuable.’

Elizabeth Culbreth, Case Coordinator