THE PURPOSE OF THE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES IS TO GUARANTEE A MINIMUM QUALITY OF TREATMENT FOR ALL CHILDREN THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA WHO RECEIVE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN FAMILY GROUP HOMES. THE USEFULNESS OF SUCH HOMES CAN ONLY BE MEASURED BY ASCERTAINING THEIR CONTINUING RELEVANCE. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF FAMILY GROUP HOMES ARE TO PROVIDE A PREDISPOSITIONAL COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION IN JAILS AND SECURE DETENTION HOMES; TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT SETTING TO COMMUNITY YOUTH HOMES, STATE LEARNING CENTERS, AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS; TO PROVIDE A GROUP LIVING EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN SUPPORTED BY INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING; TO OFFER CHILDREN IN RESIDENCE A STRUCTURED, SUPPORTIVE, AND TIME-LIMITED FAMILY ENVIRONMENT; TO PROVIDE A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM THAT IS EASILY IMPLEMENTED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND FLEXIBLE TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN; TO INTEGRATE TREATMENT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH SUPPORT SERVICES OF JUVENILE COURTS, LOCAL WELFARE AGENCIES, MENTAL HEALTH-MENTAL RETARDATION SERVICES, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES; TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT NECESSARY TO ENABLE CHILDREN TO BE PLACED WITH THEIR NATURAL OR SUBSTITUTE FAMILIES OR IN AN INDEPENDENT LIVING SITUATION; AND TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVE FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY FROM SPECIALIZED INSTITUTIONAL PLACEMENTS. THE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOCUS ON PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION, PROGRAM AND CONTRACT APPROVAL PROCEDURES, PHYSICAL FACILITIES OF FAMILY GROUP HOMES, PERSONNEL STANDARDS FOR FAMILY GROUP HOME SUPERVISION, FAMILY GROUP HOME PARENTS (RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING), CLASSES FOR PARENTS (EXAMPLES OF WORK, QUALIFICATION STANDARDS, AND KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, FINANCIAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND EVALUATION OF FAMILY GROUP HOMES. A LIST OF DEFINITIONS IS INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN SAMPLE FORMS AND CONTRACTS RELEVANT TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF FAMILY GROUP HOMES AND EMERGENCY SHELTER CARE STANDARDS.