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The growing body of research in the neurosciences supports the importance of reducing overt and covert manifestations of coercion in residential treatment programs. This paper from the American Association of Children’s Residential Centers examines the issues faced in trying to eliminate coercion in the face of dangerously dysregulated behavior and addresses organizational and system influences, factors, concerns, and resources [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generating effective results is the mission and responsibility of residential treatment providers. With increasing demands to demonstrate comparative effectiveness it is critical for providers to develop and implement systems for measuring outcomes. This paper from the American Association of Children’s Residential Centers addresses the importance of this effort, defines differing types of measurements, offers tis and strategies for designing an outcome measurement system, and addresses issues and concerns. The importance of readiness and community partnerships is critical in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children served in residential treatment often present with behaviors and issues emanating from complex developmentally traumatic experiences. Implementing trauma informed practices is critical for successful treatment outcomes. This paper from the American Association of Children’s Residential Centers conceptualizes traumatic stress in the context and identifies strategies and practices at the organizational, environmental, programmatic and individual treatment levels that are responsive to the needs of these children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth-guided care is an important aspect of improving residential treatment in all settings. This paper, authored in collaboration with youth, identifies key aspects of implementing youth-guided care in residential settings. It address practices that can be used at entry, during the course of treatment, and at discharge, and also identifies systemic approaches that will enhance organizational climate and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reflects the viewpoint of the American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC) regarding efforts underway around the nation to redesign the role of residential treatment in local communities. Founded in 1956, AACRC is the oldest national association focused on the needs of children with serious mental and behavioral problems who are in residential or other milieu-based placements. AACRC has approximately 100 member agencies nationwide. The paper will first discuss the background for rethinking residential and then present ideas and considerations for the field, policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders to incorporate into their ongoing work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the sixth in a series of papers issued by the American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC) regarding emerging and best practices in the field of residential treatment for children, youth, and families. AACRC is a long standing national association focused exclusively on practice and policy issues related to the provision of residential treatment. The “Redefining Residential” series is an effort by the Association to stimulate dialogue that can lead to more effective use of this critical and specialized resource in communities around the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the fifth in a series of papers being issued by the American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC) regarding key program and policy issues facing the field of residential treatment. AACRC is the longest standing national association focused exclusively on the needs of children who require residential treatment and their families. Over the past several years AACRC has engaged with national policy makers, family members, youth, and its membership in an effort to redefine the shape and scope of residential treatment as an intervention for youth with serious emotional and behavioral disorders and their families. This paper addresses issues related to the use of evidence based practices in residential treatment. It will address the national context, issues specific to residential treatment, and ideas that organizations can consider as they encounter policy and program challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper represents current thinking of the American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC) regarding the importance of family-driven care for youth placed in congregate facilities. AACRC is the longest standing national association focused on the needs of children in residential treatment and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the third in a series of papers regarding the redefinition of residential treatment being disseminated by The American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC). The AACRC is the longest standing national association focused specifically on program and policy issues pertaining to the treatment of children and youth in 24-hour out-of-home group settings. For the past few years, AACRC, through its conferences and committee work, has been advancing ideas and showcasing research and innovative programs that highlight the critical role residential treatment can play in community systems of care and the importance of re-engineering and transforming traditional practice models to achieve greater quality, efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness. This paper will discuss the value of transformation from both the national and organizational perspectives and identify the key foundational structures, already in place in most organizations, which are preconditions for a successful implementation of a transformation agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the fourth in a series of papers being disseminated by the American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC) regarding the transformation of residential treatment. AACRC is the longest continuously active national association with a focus on clinical issues and programming for youth in 24-hour group treatment settings. The first three papers examined the preconditions for transformation, the redefinition of the role of residential treatment in the service continuum and the implementation of family-driven care in residential treatment. This paper will discuss the importance of performance measurement and benchmarking, organizational issues and systems related to data collection and analysis, and potential categories of indicators and outcomes for measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on results of a national survey conducted in the United States about the attitudes, perceptions and utilization of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in residential care settings. Seventy-five of 118 member agencies (63.6% response rate) of a voluntary national residential care association responded to a web-administered structured survey, which included the Evidence-Based Practices Attitude Scale (Aarons, 2004). Results show overwhelmingly positive attitudes toward EBPs. Concerns were reported mainly with regard to cost and impeding a client-driven practice approach. The study also showed a high degree of utilization of EBPs with over 88 percent of programs reporting the use of at least one practice they considered to be evidence-based. Altogether 53 different practices were reported although it is unknown at this point whether practices were delivered with fidelity. Behaviorally-based and trauma-focused interventions constituted the most common interventions used by residential care agencies. Practices were subsequently validated against four national clearinghouse sites, indicating that only slightly over half of all reported practices had been evaluated by at least one clearinghouse and rated as having some research evidence for effectiveness. Divergent views about what practices are evidence-based point to the need for continued discussion between the practice and research fields about conceptualizations of evidence.

Residential treatment is a potentially powerful intervention for children and families, currently facing the imperative to fundamentally change practice models to achieve greater quality efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Such transformation is best accomplished from a solid foundation which is created by licensing, regulation, accreditation, and internal standards., (((c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved).)