Community residential facilities for emotionally disturbed adolescents
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Abstract
The purpose of this research was to study several concepts related to deinstitutionalization and community facilities for emotionally disturbed adolescents. This study proceeded in two phases.
In Phase I, a mail survey of licensed group care agencies in Massachusetts provided background data on residential facilities.
In Phase II, field research methods were used to collect data on five facilities, each serving between four and sixteen residents. An average of 35 hours was spent observing in each facility and a total
of 53 interviews were conducted with staff, administrators and residents.
Survey findings indicated that a total of 125 agencies in Massachusetts served 4081 residents of all ages and disabilities. Sixty of these group care agencies accepted adolescents. Seventy four
of them were also residential schools for youngsters with special needs.
One finding from the field research was that small group care facilities placed emphasis on therapeutic interventions and treatment.
The therapeutic activities of the five group care facilities shared many similar features. A classification system based upon their
formal and informal features was developed.
Two forms of community were noted: internal and external.
Facilities with a high degree of internal structure had fewer community-oriented activities. Living in small group care facilities did not insure integration into the external community. A four-point
scale was developed to measure the range of possible community oriented activities. Four origins of decision-making about community oriented
activities were noted.
Other findings indicated that group care facilities possessed some characteristics of total institutions, mediatory institutions, and families, but not all. The facilities were characterized by a high degree of staff/resident interaction, intensive therapeutic
effort, and varying levels of community orientation. Results indicated that group care facilities are a new type of social setting that have no direct correlation to known institutions in contemporary society.
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