REVIEWING CURRENT CONTROVERSIES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, THIS BOOK EXAMINES ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES AND APPROPRIATE THERAPIES FOR CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, LEARNING DISABILITIES, OR A HISTORY OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR. PSYCHOANALYTIC, BEHAVIORAL, AND EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES TO RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT ARE DESCRIBED AND ANALYZED. THAT THE GROUP LIVING ENVIRONMENT CAN BE A MEDIUM FOR GROWTH AND CHANGE IS DEMONSTRATED IN A DISCUSSION OF ORGANIZATION, INCENTIVES, PROGRAM ACTIVITIES, AND GROUP INTERVENTION SYSTEMS. THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES IN ESTABLISHING NEEDED TIES WITH THE COMMUNITY ARE DETAILED. SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES FOR INVOLVING PARENTS IN THE TREATMENT PROCESS ARE SUGGESTED, SUCH AS SUPPORT GROUPS, PARENT EDUCATION, AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE RESIDENTIAL CENTER. ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO SCHOOLS WHICH CAN ALSO ASSIST TROUBLED CHILDREN BY COORDINATING PROGRAMS AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES WITH THE RESIDENTIAL STAFF AND FOCUSING ON INDIVIDUAL LEARNING STYLES. IN EVALUATING RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS, THREE NEW APPROACHES ARE RECOMMENDED: A SINGLE SUBJECT DESIGN WHICH MEASURES CHANGE WITHIN AN INDIVIDUAL CASE, GOAL ATTAINMENT PROCEDURES, AND CONSUMER EVALUATION. FINALLY, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD CARE PROFESSION IS ANALYZED THROUGH AN EXAMINATION OF HISTORICAL TRENDS IN TREATMENT, UNIONIZATION, RELATIONS WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.