The Denver Children’s Home in Denver, Colorado is a residential treatment facility for youth. They work with kids who have gone through issues like complex trauma, neglect, or abuse. They also support children who are living with mental illness. This could include young clients dealing with substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, self harm tendencies and more.
Denver Children’s Home is licensed as a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility that treats youth between the ages of nine and 18.
This residential program is designed to help young people heal and grow in a safe and supportive environment. The campus includes an accredited on-site school called The Bansbach Academy.
Denver Children’s Home boasts five dormitories that each have several common areas and bathrooms. They are staffed around the clock, even at night.
I like that every resident has a dedicated therapist that they see weekly for individual counseling sessions. If appropriate, family therapy is also available.
Their clinical team includes a psychiatrist and clinical psychologist. These experts will constantly assess each resident’s progress to tweak their care and support. The team works with the child’s full system including caseworkers, teachers, family and more.
After school and on the weekends, students will take part in a range of fun and creative activities. Sports, horticulture, music and arts and much more.
This campus boasts a fitness room with top equipment, a rose course, a playground, and a meditation garden.
Our Methodology
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
For those that don't require round-the-clock care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a short-term option that can be used as a step-down treatment or as an alternative to intensive hospitalization. PHP treatment requires up to 5 days a week of commitment where you'll receive 6 to 8 hours of support every day. While a partial hospitalization program typically requires a commute, telehealth may be available. PHP treatment costs can vary but are often covered by most insurance.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
The providers who specialize in the children's rehab space understand the specialized needs that this population faces. School-based and social services such as tutoring and family counseling are often central to treatment. Child programs may also address the needs of youth experiencing substance abuse in the home, including a parent's or sibling's addiction.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Dialectical behavior therapy is skills based and present oriented. You'll be asked to keep a diary of emotions and related behaviors and practice the skills you've been learning between sessions. The focus of skills development is on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Creative arts therapy can take place in individual or group sessions. It may include reading poetry, journaling, making videos, or scrapbooking. These expressive activities allow participants to tap into emotions and process challenges in ways other than talking about their problems.
Equine Therapy
Animal TherapyParticipating in experiential therapy in Colorado brings awareness to the emotions and thoughts that affect your behavior. As you engage in an interactive or creative activity, your therapist will help you reflect on and analyze these patterns and develop healthy coping strategies to use in the future.
Residential Setting 
Gym 
Meditation Room 
Art Activities 
Music Room 
Executive Director
COO & Finance Director
Residential Program Director
Medical Director
Clinical Director
Director of Community-Based Services
Rehab.com regularly reviews this listing for accuracy but changes may occur between updates. For the most up-to-date information, please contact Denver Children’s Home.
1501 Albion Street
Denver, CO 80220
Sponsored Helpline
This is the worst place you could send your kid to. Your kid will never recover for everything he will be made to endure there. They don't care about reforming the children, instead, they try to do everything they can to destroy their souls. I saw many children being misdiag ...
The people at Denver Children's Home are extraordinary. They care for children facing some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable with patience, professionalism, and genuine compassion. Their work is challenging, but they show up every day because they believe every child deserves hope and a chance to heal.
Every time I visit Denver Children's Home, I'm reminded how much healing can happen when children feel safe, supported, and loved. The staff meet kids where they are and help them build the skills and confidence they need to thrive. I'm proud to support this organization and grateful for everything they do for Colorado's children.
Its crazy reading all these comments from people who were there 40 years ago to people who were there very recently and seeing how much this place hasn't changed. When I was 12 years old (9 years ago) they had very weird rules such as u couldnt have conversations without a staff member hearing it (cuz they assume your talking ab sum bad) u can't talk about pretty much anything to anyone cuz somehow its triggering. If u had any cuts they would make u cover it. They made this girl wear soccer gloves bc she had a paper cut. Made me wear long sleeves during the summer bc of a minor cut. Made this kid wear sandles bc of an ingrown toe nail. They also have whats called "donors" which is a non profit group of people who would come in and play with us and make us food but for the kids they didn't like they would do anything in their power to get us in trouble so we either couldn't attend or make us watch everyone else have fun. For sum reason they really specifically hated me. My first day they accused me of having a phone which they used as an excuse to trash my room. Often times would plant contraband in my room to trash it and take me to the RC which is basically a small room where u are locked inside for hours without reason. Would always ALWAYS accuse me of something I didn't do without any type of evidence just so they can either isolate me or mess with my stuff. One time I went on the run and when I came back I decided to really straighten up and just completely not say or do anything to anybody bc if I did so they wouldn't have a reason to get me in trouble. I tried to be invisible. But even after 2 months of having a perfect score everyday I still got accused by my therapist of "planning something" so they decided to not move me up in the next level system. The only time I ever felt safe was during school. The teachers had no idea ab the mental abuse this place was putting us through. Honestly I blame this place for a lot of my evil thoughts and mental illness bc almost 10 years later I still feel like everybody doesnt like me for no reason. Why would u guys do this to me? I was only 12.
I was at this place for about a year and a halfish. I was there when I was 12 got out when I turned 13 and a half. I'm now 18. Only reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because the kids in my dorm were cool (even though most of them came and went) and some of the staff I got along with and most importantly the memories I made there were unlike any other place ive been to. I just gotta say it wasn't all that bad. Sure maybe the fist 6 months weren't the best but I learned to kinda just accept it. I was in constant trouble and the RC (recovery center) was a literal prison cell. They would keep you hours on end in there. But despite the staff having 0 idea what to do when we got pissed and the seemingly unfair punishments. It wasn't all that bad. I've been to worse places and tbh, DCH was like a home for me when I got used to it. Now with that being said, idk what the rules are now or what they do today but that place for me was definitely a big part of my life.
Back
Sharing your insights and experiences can help others learn more about this rehab center.
Written By: Mari Mendoza
BS
