This is a paid piece from Encompass Mental Health, LLC.

Simplified: Encompass Mental Health is looking to extend its mission to meet kids where they are with the help of a mobile play therapy bus to create a safe, secure space for kids and therapists to interact. And if nonprofit partner Finding Better Tomorrows meets its fundraising goal, Sioux Falls could be one of the first cities in the nation to have this service available.

Why it matters

  • The logistics of getting kids to therapy can be a major barrier for families – especially if it means taking time off work or time away from school. Encompass Mental Health (EMH) is already bridging this gap for families by offering the option for therapists to meet kids where they are in school or childcare.
  • It's a great way to ensure kids get the care they need – and it results in a 10% decrease in cancellations, according to Director of Outreach Madison Kyle. But EMH is increasingly facing challenges of finding a safe, private, appropriate space for kids to engage in play therapy. Often, classrooms are full, and therapists in some cases are making due by holding sessions in supply closets.
  • The biggest obstacle to making the bus a reality is cost. Kyle estimates it'd cost $180,000 to get the bus fitted out as a therapy space – not counting ongoing operational costs. To help make it happen, Finding Better Tomorrows is seeking donations as well as exploring grant opportunities.
"This bus would be a game-changer because it would further break down all of those barriers that prevent a kid from getting services," Kyle said.

Tell me more

A mobile play therapy bus – essentially a therapy office on wheels – would allow EMH therapists to travel to continue meeting kids where they are without worrying about creating a makeshift office space. It'd also create a warm, comfortable environment where kids can truly relax and engage in play therapy.

  • The bus would have all of the clinically appropriate toys needed for a session, and it'd be set up so kids would have complete privacy during their appointments.
How Encompass breaks down barriers to support kids’ mental health
Encompass Mental Health meets kids where they are – and not just emotionally. Therapists work to reduce barriers to mental health treatment with play therapy, in-daycare visits and the support of a nonprofit arm to make sure finances don’t get in the way of a child’s healing.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

The bus would also allow EMH to offer services to more kids, especially those who are at child care centers that are at-capacity.

  • Right now, therapists aren't able to go to those centers because there's no room available for therapy sessions. The bus would eliminate the need for centers to provide space.

The bus is modeled after a similar mobile play therapy office in Kansas City, and EMH staff even had a chance to tour their bus earlier this year, Kyle said.

"To our research, we would be the third bus in existence across the country," she added.

How can I help?

You can offer financial support to the mobile play therapy bus here.

You can also follow EMH's progress on social media and share the work they're doing to inspire more donations and support play therapy for kids.

"Play is the language of children," Kyle said. "They’re not going to sit down and tell you, 'Ive had a bad day.' They're going to show you. They're going to play it out."