NCJ Number
51505
Date Published
1975
Length
191 pages
Annotation
THE ORGANIZATION AND OBJECTIVES OF SHELTERS FOR CHILDREN IN QUEBEC, CANADA, ARE ANALYZED, AND THE RESULTS OF A STUDY FOR REFORMS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE SHELTER SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE COMMITTEE FOR THE STUDY OF THE READAPTATION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLECENTS PLACED IN SHELTERS VISTED 73 SHELTERS THAT HOUSED APPROXIMATELY 5000 CHILDREN. IN THE COURSE OF THE STUDY, THE OBJECTIVES WERE CHANGED FROM FOCUS ON THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SHELTERS TO THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN, SUCH AS SOCIAL REINTEGRATION, EDUCATION, AND CONTROL OF DELINQUENCY. AS THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE NETWORK OF SHELTERS IT VISITED WAS NOT SATISFYING THE CHILDREN'S NEEDS, RECOMMENDATIONS WERE SET FORTH. EVALUATION OF EACH CASE BY APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN PRIOR TO ADMISSION OR REJECTION OF EACH CHILD TO THE SHELTER. THE ENTIRE NETWORK OF SHELTERS SHOULD BE GEARED COMPLETELY TO THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN, AND BE FLEXIBLE, INNOVATIVE, WELL COORDINATED, AND SMOOTHLY RUN. DOSSIERS SHOULD BE KEPT CONTAINING EVALUATIONS OF THE CHILD'S BEHAVIOR, AND HIS EDUCATIONAL LEVEL. PSYCHOLOGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, MEDICAL, AND OTHER HEALTH SERVICES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. RECORDS ON THE CHILD'S REINTEGRATION INTO SCHOOL AND THE CHILD'S EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE KEPT MAPPING SUCCESSES AND FAILURES, AND THE EFFECTS OF TEACHING WITHIN THE SHELTER ITSELF. SOCIAL REINTEGRATION SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AT THE SHELTER THROUGH ORIENTATION PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL, FAMILY, AND WORK. THE WEAKEST POINT OF THE SHELTERS' NETWORK WAS SHOWN TO BE THEIR DETENTION PROGRAM, AS ITS DIFFERENT STAGES (TRANSITION, OBSERVATION, PUNISHMENT, SHORT-TERM TREATMENT, PREVENTION, OR EXPULSION) MAY HAVE LASTING REPERCUSSIONS ON THE YOUTH SUCH AS INSECURITY, STIGMATIZATION, IDLENESS, OR REVOLT, AND IT MAY FAIL AS A PUNISHMENT. THEREFORE, THESE CENTERS SHOULD REINFORCE THEIR IMAGE AS SHELTERS FOR SECURITY, WITH ACTIVITIES, AND A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE OF DISCIPLINE AND ENCOURAGEMENT. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE SHELTERS SHOULD INCLUDE MANAGEMENT; PERSONNEL TRAINING; TEACHERS; PSYCHIATRIC, MEDICAL, AND DENTAL PERSONNEL; JUDICIAL ADVISORS; AND FAMILY AND SCHOOL COUNSELING. A COMMISSION FOR EVALUATION AND ACCREDITATION SHOULD BE CREATED WITH THE RIGHT TO VISIT THE CENTERS, CONSULT THEIR FILES, AND PUBLISH THE RESULTS OF THEIR INSPECTION. FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED, ALONG WITH AN EXTENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY. ALSO LISTED ARE THE CENTERS VISITED, THE REPORTS RECEIVED, AND THE GROUPS INTERVIEWED. --IN FRENCH. (INL)