NCJ Number
69532
Journal
Journal of Humanics Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (DECEMBER 1979) Pages: 42-51
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE TEACHING FAMILY, OR ACHIEVEMENT PLACE MODEL (DEVELOPED BY MONTROSE WOLF), A COMMUNITY-BASED AND DIRECTED, FAMILY-STYLE BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM FOR YOUTHS WITH BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS.
Abstract
THE ACHIEVEMENT PLACE PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY TWO PROFESSIONAL TEACHING PARENTS TRAINED IN BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROCEDURES, REMEDIAL EDUCATION TECHNIQUES, JUVENILE LAW, THE ORGANIZATION OF SEMI-SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR YOUTH, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATION. THE TREATMENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM INSTRUCTION AND FEEDBACK TO THE YOUTHS WHEN THEY FIRST ENTER THE PROGRAM, AND THEN, AS THEY DEVELOP SKILLS AND SELF-CONTROL, THE STRUCTURED ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM ARE REDUCED AND REPLACED BY A MORE NATURAL SET OF FEEDBACK CONDITIONS. AS THE YOUTHS ACCOMPLISH THE BEHAVIORAL GOALS OF THE PROGRAM THEY AND THEIR NATURAL PARENTS ARE PREPARED FOR THEIR RETURN HOME. A PILOT STUDY BY FIXSEN, PHILLIPS, AND WOLF COMPARED GROUPS OF BOYS PLACED IN ACHIEVEMENT PLACE WITH SIMILAR GROUPS OF BOYS PLACED ON PROBATION AND COMMITTED TO THE KANSAS INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS. THE RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE ACHIEVEMENT PLACE BOYS HAD FEWER POLICE AND COURT CONTRACTS, A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF RECIDIVISTS, A HIGHER PERCENTAGE REMAINING IN SCHOOL, AND BETTER GRADES FOLLOWING TREATMENT. FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE (1) COMMUNITY LINKAGES, (2) NATURAL FAMILY LINKAGES, (3) A FLEXIBLE TOKEN ECONOMY OR POINT SYSTEM PROVIDING IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK, (4) LIMITED SELF-GOVERNMENT, AND (5) THE TEACHING PARENT-YOUTH RELATIONSHIP WHICH ENCOURAGES FRIENDSHIP. A LIST OF 24 REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.