NCJ Number
181635
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2000 Pages: 36-40
Date Published
February 2000
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes an Indiana program to provide new and improved assistance to children with serious emotional disturbances and their families.
Abstract
The Dawn Project was founded on the belief that children and their families are remarkably resilient and capable of positive development when provided with community-centered support that is defined by the best interests of the children. Services are child-centered and family-driven, with the needs of children and families the most important factors in deciding the types of services provided. Services must be community-based, building on the strengths, natural supports and resources of the families and must respect and respond to the unique racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious cultures of each family. The project is managed by a specially created private nonprofit corporation that coordinates and oversees all program services. It provides administrative, financial, clinical, and technical structure, and manages the contracts for the provider network that serves the families.