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Group Homes for Teenagers - A Practical Guide

NCJ Number
105157
Author(s)
A L Shostack
Date Published
1987
Length
212 pages
Annotation
This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of planning and operating a small group home for teenagers, from client and site selection through financing, obtaining community acceptance, staffing, and therapeutic services.
Abstract
The group homes discussed serve dependent, mildly disturbed, and socially maladjusted youths. After detailing types of organizations that operate group homes, the book provides guidelines on selecting a target population and financing both capital costs and day-to-day operations. Other topics addressed include choosing a location and designing the interior spaces. Numerous staffing issues are covered, such as a full versus part-time director and social worker, psychiatrists and psychologists, child care workers, support staff, qualifications, and turnover. After outlining the admissions process, the book discusses everyday life in a group home in detail. Areas considered are daily routines, free time in and outside the home, common problems, and dating. Guidelines to therapeutic human relations focus on interactions between staff and residents, peer group relations, modifying negative behavior, and structured treatment services. The text also examines community-based education, recreation, and health services, termination criteria, and placement when a teenager leaves the group home. References and index.