The Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA) – Baltimore is a state-operated residential psychiatric treatment program in Maryland for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The institute describes its mission as supporting youth with intensive behavioral health needs who require a structured residential setting.

RICA-Baltimore’s overview notes that the program provides residential psychiatric treatment for youth ages 12–17.6. The institute describes 24-hour supervision, structured routines, and clinical programming designed to help stabilize symptoms and build skills for returning to family, school, and community life.

State residential treatment programs often coordinate multiple services, including psychiatric care, psychotherapy, and educational supports. Families may also encounter a strong emphasis on safety planning, behavioral goals, and collaboration with caregivers and local service systems.

When evaluating fit, caregivers may want to ask about how treatment planning is individualized, what family participation looks like during a resident’s stay, and how transition planning connects a youth to step-down services and school supports after discharge.

Because RICA is part of Maryland’s public behavioral health system, referral pathways and eligibility criteria may differ from private residential programs. Families should review the institute’s program information and consult with local agencies or providers about appropriate referrals.

More information is available on RICA-Baltimore’s official website pages, including its location and admission-related details.