NCJ Number
61406
Date Published
1976
Length
20 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF A FLORIDA RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR JUVENILES WITH EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS SHOWS THE PROGRAM IS EFFECTIVE IN SHAPING NONDELIQUENT ATTITUDES.
Abstract
ALPHA HOUSE, LOCATED IN DADE COUNTY, FLA., OFFERS A SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR JUVENILES WHO MANIFEST EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS WHICH, IF NOT TREATED, COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR. THE PROGRAM USES A SCIENTIFIC MANIPULATIVE TECHNIQUE, CORRECTIVE EXPECTANCY SCHEDULING (CES), IN WHICH A CHILD'S BEHAVIOR IS REVIEWED DAILY FOR PROGRESS TOWARD TRAITS OF HONESTY, FORESIGHT, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS. TRADITIONAL COUNSELING METHODS, WITH STRONG EMPHASIS ON FAMILY TREATMENT, ARE ALSO USED. PRIVILEGES AND PROGRESS TOWARD RELEASE DEPEND UPON ACHIEVEMENT IN SPECIFIED AREAS THAT HELP TO DEVELOP THESE TRAITS. SUCH AREAS INCLUDE COTTAGE AND SCHOOL BEHAVIOR, MORAL DEVELOPMENT AS MEASURED BY KOHLBERG'S SCALE, AND PHYSICAL FITNESS. WEAK POINTS IN THE PROGRAM WERE FOUND IN ITS ADMINISTRATION AND WERE MANIFESTED BY COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL AND NONPROFESSIONAL STAFF, LATE QUARTERLY REPORTS, SEVERAL CONFLICTING LEVELS OF ADMINISTRATION, AND UNNECESSARY PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. THE GRANT OBJECTIVES ARE EACH EVALUATED SEPARATELY. THEY INCLUDE DIRECT RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, THERAPY OF DIFFERENT KINDS, TRAINED STAFF, AND FOLLOWUP SERVICES. THE PROGRAM COULD NOT BE ASSESSED BY ANY STATISTICAL MEANS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT DATA. RECOMMENDATIONS CONCLUDE THE EVALUATION. (RFC)