Gabriela Miselem was at her wits’ end. Her first-grade son was struggling with aggressive behavior, physically attacking teachers and other kids at school. Despite therapy appointments, the behavior only worsened.
“I was so scared he was going to hurt someone,” says the 33-year-old from Greenfield. Then Miselem got the call that changed everything: STRONG Milwaukee Center , a local day treatment program for kids and adolescents, had an opening the following week.
Miselem’s son isn’t alone: Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional or behavioral health condition. “Kids’ mental health is in crisis, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Ronnie Jones, dean of students at Greater Holy Temple C