PEP is committed to understanding and overcoming the trauma and chronic stress experienced by many of the youth we serve. Its family-centered programming is designed to build on the existing strengths of children.
Since 1971 when it was founded, PEP has been recognized repeatedly for excellence in mental health and special education. Our compassionate approach provides a critical layer of support that allows parents and other caregivers to remain in the workforce, at home and in the community. Most importantly, PEP helps children shift toward a positive developmental trajectory.
PEP's mission is to help young people overcome and thrive. We offer a variety of programs that bring our mission to life.
PEP Therapeutic Schools
PEP has five Therapeutic Schools (PEP Chesnutt, PEP Hopewell, PEP Phoenix, PEP Prentiss Autism Center, and PEP Willow Creek) that provide both special education and mental health services in a school setting for children with severe mental health and behavioral challenges. PEP Chesnutt, PEP Hopewell and PEP Willow Creek serve young people who have serious emotional or behavioral problems that have made success in a traditional school setting difficult. PEP Phoenix serves students with severe emotional or behavioral issues and who are also identified as having a cognitive delay. PEP Prentiss Autism Center serves students with autism or other complex developmental disabilities, all of whom have a considerable impairment in communication and present severe and challenging behaviors.
PEP Prentiss Autism Center
PEP Prentiss Autism Center is one of PEP's five Day Treatment Centers that provide both special education and mental health services during the school day. PEP Prentiss has a special focus on students on the autism spectrum disorder and other complex developmental disabilities.
PEP Connections
PEP, through its PEP Connections program provides intensive and moderate care coordination as part of the Ohio Medicaid OhioRISE initiative for young people in central Cuyahoga County. In this role (known as a Care Management Entity or CME), PEP serves young people who have significant behavioral health issues or those who are at-risk of out-of-home placement as a result of issues like substance abuse, autism, juvenile court placement or difficulty with relationships.
PEP Connections also delivers Intensive Home-Based Treatment (IHBT), an intensive home-based family service, in which the IHBT therapist engages the whole family in therapy sessions and helps stabilize the household.
PEP Early Childhood Plus
PEP's collection of early childhood services, known as PEP Early Childhood Plus, touch nearly 1,000 children (birth through age 6) each year through consultation, training and support for parents, teachers and caregivers.
PEP Assist
PEP Assist consultants partner with educators and other professional who work with children to assess their unique situations and develop actionable plans for success - whether for an individual, student, classroom or entire school district or child-serving organization.