Skip to main content

Camber Children's Mental Health

Dance Produces Positive Results for Youth at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital

Dance Therapy at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital

Every Friday at 3:00 p.m., music fills the room at KVC Prairie Ridge Hospital as professional instructors teach youth how to express their feelings and discover their strengths through dance. Youth at the psychiatric hospital are receiving treatment for a range of mental/behavioral healthcare challenges including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts or feelings of violence.

The on-site dance classes, which are part of a program called Let’s MOVE (Motivate Ourselves Via Expression), were made possible thanks to a partnership between KVC Hospitals, the Kansas School of Classical Ballet (KSCB) and technology leader Netsmart. (see related article: Three Kansas City Area Organizations Bring Healing Power of Dance to Youth in Psychiatric Care)

Since KSCB began the program in June, the classes have already produced positive results for youth at KVC Prairie Ridge. Dance activity recorded in a Netsmart CareRecord tracks and analyzes the program to ensure children are positively impacted in tangible ways.

Some results include:

  • The majority of youth reported that they enjoyed the dance group
  • Nearly half of youth felt more regulated after group
  • 82% of youth discovered dance as a new way to express themselves differently
  • The average number of crisis interventions lowered to zero on days of dance group
  • Youth on average reported less anxiety, anger and sadness on days when dance group occurred
  • Youth on average also reported feeling happier on days when dance group occurred

Watch this video produced by KCPT to learn more about the Kansas School of Classical Ballet and the Let’s MOVE program:

Dance classes will continue to occur every Friday at 3:00 p.m. through the fall. In addition to the on-site classes, KSCB has graciously extended five full scholarships to KVC for any child in the community that is interested in participating in their full program at the Kansas School of Classical Ballet in Overland Park. These scholarships are designed for beginners or experienced dancers that may not be able to afford dance lessons due to life circumstances. This is an amazing contribution from KSCB and we want to make sure applicants for the scholarship are serious about learning to dance and have the capacity to follow through with requirements. To apply for a scholarship, contact Astra Garner at (913) 334-0294 or agarner@kvc.org.