# Pediatric inpatient units, unlocked units? **URL:** \ **Category:** Hot Topics / Current Challenges\ **Created:** [September 17, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205 "2026-09-17T18:26:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![shiva.mendez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@shiva.mendez](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/shiva.mendez)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/1 "2026-09-17T18:26:09Z")
Dear all, this question was posed by a participant at the MindSpaces conference after seeing some of the presentations. _We had noticed some units being referred to as “unlocked behavioral health units” but were unsure what exactly that is. A question came up about whether this is an inpatient unit or perhaps something else. Based on the information you provided it sounds like an inpatient unit is locked. We would be curious to learn more about unlocked units and how those function._ I didn’t remember a particular unit that was truly unlocked, but wanted to check with the group to see if you know of any peds/adolescent units that are “unlocked” and the level of acuity they serve/license they operate under. We would like to offer them as peer facilities for Minnesota Children’s to have a conversation with. Thank you for your assistance. Shiva Mendez ---
**Author:** ![ccoltharp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@ccoltharp](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/ccoltharp)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/2 "2026-09-17T18:44:45Z")
Telecare operates locked, delayed egress, and unlocked units. While most larger units that serve conserved individuals or those on evaluation holds are locked, many smaller programs, such as voluntary crisis stabilization units and crisis residential facilities, are unlocked. Individuals in these programs are free to come and go because they are voluntary admissions. The number of clients served in these settings continues to grow, as does the number of facilities being developed to support them—an encouraging trend. ---
**Author:** ![shiva.mendez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@shiva.mendez](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/shiva.mendez)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/3 "2026-09-18T15:44:15Z")
Dear Cameron. Can you please confirm whether any of the unlocked units have child or adolescent patients? And also level of license is MHRT or PHF or acute psych? Thank you very much. Shiva ---
**Author:** ![kimberly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kimberly](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/kimberly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/4 "2026-09-18T17:21:28Z")
Hi All - Chiming in about the topic of the secure unit and a voluntary admission. BHFC’s experience shows that a hospital’s voluntary unit - inpatient and some Residential Treatment Facilities —is often a secured unit for many different reasons. A voluntary admission to a secured (locked) BMH unit generally means you retain the legal right to request your release, but you are not immediately free to leave. When a voluntarily admitted patient expresses the desire to leave, staff complete formal discharge protocols, and then if deemed appropriate, the patient may be free to leave. Hope that helps with the conversation. Have a great weekend to all. Kim Hope that h ---
**Author:** ![ccoltharp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@ccoltharp](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/ccoltharp)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/5 "2026-09-22T22:11:32Z")
Yes, we provide adolescent and youth services in both locked and unlocked settings. The age of those served doesn’t determine if the building is secure or not. Rather it is the admissions criteria and services provided. Those two factors, and the legal status of the clients, can influence the type of facility utilized and the level of security. MHRT – not familiar with that acronym. Perhaps you mean MHRC? MHRC - Mental Health Rehabilitation Center – Telecare runs locked and unlocked (delayed egress) MHRCs. We don’t currently serve adolescents or youth clients in MHRC. But that is not to say that others may not. PHF – Psychiatric Health Facility – Telecare operates PHFs that serve both adults and adolescents (different facilities – not in the same building). All our PHFs are locked. I helped to design a PHF that is operated by another provider. That PHF serves both adolescents and youth and is a locked facility. CSU – Crisis Stabilization Unit – Telecare operates CSU units that serve adolescent clients. We operate locked, secure, and unlocked versions of a CSU. Unlike MHRCs and PHFs, CSU are not licensed by the state. They are Medi-cal certified by the County in which the CSU operates. Standalone Acute Psych – Telecare doesn’t run any but all of those that I am familiar with our locked units. Adolescent and you are certainly served in those environments. I hope the additional information is helpful. ---
**Author:** ![shiva.mendez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@shiva.mendez](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/shiva.mendez)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 10:50pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/6 "2026-09-22T22:50:43Z")
Thank you Cameron. Definitely helpful. Mental health rehabilitation center and mental health residential treatment. I have seen both. Not sure the licensing/programming differences, but both are step down in those that I have toured. MHRT may be more focused on substance use disorders? Encouraging others on the network with experience with these types of units to please chime in. Shiva ---
**Author:** ![shiva.mendez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@shiva.mendez](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/shiva.mendez)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 10:53pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/7 "2026-09-22T22:53:38Z")
And here’s some clarification from Minnesota Childrens’ on their question. _Perhaps we are asking the wrong question. What I am trying to understand is what are the distinctions between an inpatient psyciatic unit and a behavioral health unit._ 1. _Licensing_ 2. _Criteria for admission_ 3. _LOS_ 4. _Programming_ _I see a lot of these standalone facilities for mental health patients with these two units being 2 distinct units and wondering what the intent is and what the difference is in the population served. Any additional help would be appreciated._ _Sorry for the confusion_ _Pat_ _Pat Vitale_ _Senior Director Mental Health_ _Children’s Minnesota_ ---
**Author:** ![ccoltharp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@ccoltharp](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/ccoltharp)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 11:50pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/8 "2026-09-22T23:50:23Z")
CRT - crisis residential treatment in my world. We run those too. All unlocked voluntary programs. I have no experience with youths in those. I too hope to hear from others! ---
**Author:** ![ccoltharp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@ccoltharp](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/u/ccoltharp)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 11:57pm UTC](https://bmhenforum.healthdesign.org/t/pediatric-inpatient-units-unlocked-units/205/9 "2026-09-22T23:57:35Z")
I don’t know anything about Minnesota licensing. But in general, I think of the differences in terms of acuity and legal status (as mentioned by another person previously). I associate inpatient psychiatric as an acute until with shorter stays and behavioral units as subacute with long stays. But such generalizing is probably counterproductive. So many ways to slice it - one size and label does not fit all.