NCJ Number
105551
Date Published
1984
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Location, types of services, delivery method, and the use of a multidisciplinary team maximize treatment outcomes for neglectful parents under the Children and Youth Project (CYP) of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas.
Abstract
The CYP operates through three clinics on school grounds in a low-income, public housing area of West Dallas. Two pediatric clinics serve all residents from birth through age 12, and the adolescent clinic serves the 13-18 year old juveniles. The clinics provide both health maintenance services and acute care to all registrants. Clinic staff are sensitive to multiproblem families and have developed systems to locate new or nonregistrants and follow up on missed appointments. Each clinic's multidisciplinary team evaluates each neglecting family to diagnose the multiple problem areas and develop a treatment plan. After implementation, the treatment plan is reviewed at intervals to monitor changes and modify the plan in accordance with the family's changing needs. Since neglectful parents are particularly resistant to intervention and interaction with outside persons, the staff begins at the point where the parent has the greatest felt need and openness to help. This often includes the use of homemaker services to help get the children ready for school, cook meals, and clean house. It may take months and repeated home visits before a neglecting parent will accept any outside help. Examples of the operation and effects of the program are provided.