BROWNDALE, GROWTH COMMUNITY IN DEVELOPMENT

• NCJ Number: 68412
• Journal: Justitiele verkenningen Issue: 4 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (1978) Pages: 52-69
• Author(s): D ROELAND
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: THIS ARTICLE IS TAKEN FROM NIEUWE VORMEN VAN INRICHTINGSWERK ALS HULPVERLENING, FACETTEN VAN JEUGDBESCHERMING, 1976.

Annotation

THE HISTORY, ORGANIZATION, AND METHODS OF BROWNDALE HOUSES FOR TREATMENT OF JUVENILES, AS WELL AS THEIR DEVELOPMENT IN THE NETHERLANDS ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

BROWNDALE HOUSES WERE FIRST CREATED BY THE CANADIAN JOHN BROWN TO FOSTER SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF JUVENILES WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES AGGRAVATED BY INSTITUTIONALIZATION. BUILDINGS FOR BROWNDALE HOUSES ARE SMALL (HOUSING 5 TO 6 CHILDREN) SO THAT CHILDREN DO NOT GET 'LOST.' THE HOUSES REMAIN OPEN TO THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, DISSEMINATING INFORMATION SO THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL UNDERSTAND THE GOALS OF THE 'FAMILY' TREATMENT ARRANGEMENT. THE FIVE OR SIX CHILDREN FORM A FAMILY WITH THERAPEUTIC PARENTS. CHILDREN PLACED IN BROWNDALE HOUSES HAVE USUALLY BEHAVED UNACCEPTABLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY IN THEIR OWN HOMES, IN FOSTER HOMES, OR IN BOARDING SCHOOLS. CHILDREN VARY IN AGE FROM 3 TO 21 AND ARE MOST FREQUENTLY BOYS OF REASONABLE INTELLIGENCE. THE PRINCIPAL METHOD OF TREATMENT IS TO ALLOW CHILDREN TO LIVE IN A LOVING, TRUSTING FAMILY ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN DEVELOP CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE. ON THE BASIS OF THE SECURITY INSPIRED IN THIS MANNER, A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL CAN BE DEVELOPED. THE 'PARENTS' CONSIST OF FOUR GROUP LEADERS WHO WORK DURING THE DAY AND A REGULAR NIGHT STAFF MEMBER; ALL ARE EXPECTED TO STAY AT LEAST 2 YEARS. 'PARENTS' MUST BE GIVING, SPONTANEOUS, ABLE TO CHANGE, AND OBJECTIVE. A SPECIAL RESOURCE BANK OF PSYCHIATRISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PEDIATRICIANS, AND OTHERS IS AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES FOR CONSULTATION. BROWNDALE HAS BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION CHARACTERIZED BY DECENTRALIZATION AND AUTONOMY OF THE SEPARATE HOUSES. THE BROWNDALE FOUNDATION OF THE NETHERLANDS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1972 AND THE FIRST HOUSE OPENED IN 1973. THE ORGANIZATION COVERS FOUR REGIONS, EACH WITH A CAPACITY OF ABOUT 25 CHILDREN, AND WORKS TOGETHER WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL CHILD PROTECTION. EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO INVOLVE NONPROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEERS IN THE THERAPEUTIC FAMILIES AND TO INTRODUCE THE BASIC TENETS OF TREATMENT INTO OTHER INSTITUTIONAL FORMS, THUS HUMANIZING EXISTING WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE SUPPLIED.