Children’s Crisis Respite Programs
Elmcrest’s Children’s Crisis Respite Programs in Syracuse offer short-term, supportive care for youth ages 5–20 across New York—providing a safe place to stabilize and heal during times of emotional or behavioral crisis. Referrals are open to parents, guardians, schools, and health care professionals.
Elmcrest’s Children’s Crisis Respite Programs—Heron Hall, White Pine Hall, and the newest addition, Tamarack Hall—provide a safe, supportive, and accessible environment for youth experiencing a mental health crisis.
Each hall offers short-term care where young people can step away from overwhelming stressors and receive guidance, therapeutic support, and compassionate care from trained professionals. This time away gives them space to stabilize and begin healing.
Meanwhile, families benefit from a temporary reprieve and the opportunity to prepare for a smoother, more successful transition when their child returns home.
White Pine Hall & Heron Hall
White Pine and Heron Halls are located in the same building, immediately to the left as you enter the property. Each hall features six individual bedrooms, providing private, structured space for youth in crisis.
Treatment during their short stay focuses on conflict resolution and de-escalation while minimizing disruption to their daily life. Youth can continue attending their regular school, participate in extracurriculars, and maintain sessions with their existing mental health providers.
Contact White Pine Hall at: 680-310-8003
Contact Heron Hall at: 680-310-8016
Tamarack Hall
Tamarack Hall, our newest facility, is the first building on the right when entering the property. This recent expansion increases our capacity from 12 to 20 beds, allowing us to better meet the growing need for short-term support. Tamarack provides the same trauma-informed care model in a secure and welcoming setting, helping youth stabilize while maintaining their connection to school, home, and established care providers.
“The Elmcrest staff was warm and welcoming, very involved, and focused on assisting my son in any way possible. In many ways, the staff went above and beyond what he previously experienced during a mental health crisis. He was even able to attend his regular school and sports while at Elmcrest. This was easily one of the most traumatic experiences we have weathered together as a family, but we came out of this relieved that our ONLY option was not just straight to another emergency room or hospital setting. Elmcrest is setting the bar for high quality mental health care in Central New York. The children in our community need this resource now more than ever.” – Struse Family
Children’s Crisis Respite Programming Includes:
- Mental Health Assessment
- Family Support
- Individual Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Coordination of Services
- Behavior Support
- One-to-One Monitoring (as needed)
Referral Process
Anyone may refer a young person to Children’s Crisis Respite. No diagnosis or mental health treatment history is required. The most common referral sources are: family members, hospitals, schools, and mental healthcare providers. Children’s Crisis Respite stays are grant-funded when not covered by insurance, ensuring that parents, guardians, or caregivers never have to pay out of pocket.
Steps to referring a young person:
- Anyone can call the referral hotline available 24/7: 680-895-0666
- Anyone can download and to complete the referral form and email the referral form to: CCRreferrals@elmcrest.org
For additional questions, please contact the Director of Crisis Respite Services:
Dan Burns, LCSW
p. 315-446-6250, ext. 378
