CINCINNATI — It’s a growing challenge here in Ohio and across the country: finding child care for kids with developmental disabilities and mental illness. While the numbers have increased since the COVID crisis, there still aren’t enough places to help families in need.  

What You Need To Know

  • It's a New Day Behavioral Daycare helps kids with mental issues who aren't eligible for most day cares

  • The center was founded by two psychiatric nurses from Cincinnati Children's Hospital 

  • The center helps kids ages 5 to 12 in Evendale near Cincinnati

A psychiatric nurse practitioner from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital saw this problem and left her position to start a specialized day care to serve the need.

Lashun Scott founded It’s a New Day Behavioral Daycare in Evendale, a suburb north of Cincinnati.

“The problem that I saw in the hospital was we had a lot of kids that were dealing with mental illness. But a lot of families felt like that was just the go-to drop for any child of age or in the hospital in what is like was after it,” Scott said.

She said after the kids were discharged from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, that’s when the problems really began for their parents.

“I saw a lot of parents that were losing their jobs or having to call up for work or need to stay at home with the child just to make sure they're in a safe environment. And when you're dealing with a child with the illness, it's kind of hard to see your child anywhere,” Scott said.

Her solution was developing a treatment plan for kids from five to 12 years old that attend her center during the day. She recruited fellow nurse Tierra Perryman to join her.

“It's been a journey, but I love it,” Perryman said. “Just knowing I can change somebody's life for the better. It's one of those situations is to let kids know that you do have adults out there who are willing to listen.”

The center features specialized rooms where kids can express themselves through art or a quiet room to focus on homework and another where they can burn some energy. The center is designed to help kids with many different challenges, including anxiety, depression and ADHD.

“We have a fidget room where they can play with a lot of toys and gadgets to reset and cool down,” Scott said. “We have many options for them to play.”

Options are something most of their families don’t have - and Scott saw that growing up. 

“My family personally dealt with a child that was dealing with mental illness,” she said. “So we had a lot of difficulties. So that's my patient. Like, kids need this.”

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