Suggests a framework for a family-centered residential group care model for children in acute crisis. The model aims at achieving a permanent discharge for the children as soon as possible. (CM)

To meet the needs of adolescents on adult wards of the Massachusetts State Hospitals and inpatient community mental health centers, and to carry out the educational mandates of Chapter 766 and P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), the State Hospital Education Programs (SHEP) system was developed. SHEP adheres to three basic…

Described and advocated is the discrepancy approach to needs assessment as an important step in making residential schools accountable for handicapped students. (Author/CL)

The paper presents a proposal for the addition of a specialized adoption agency for sexually abused children and youth to current services of a residential group home. The proposal resulted from the lack of appropriate families for children completing the Agency's Preparation for Adoption Program. Evidence suggested placements have been hindered…

The paper advocates the extension of the basic protections of "permanency planning" to all children and youth, including those with severe handicaps. It discusses the concept and process of permanency planning and notes its promise in improving the opportunities of all children and youth to grow up in a stable family environment. It…

The report of the New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled looks at autism in five chapters concerned with characteristics of autism, parenting the autistic child, New York State's institutional care network for the autistic, perspectives of professionals on autism, and Commission recommendations. Among nine findings…

The manual presents policies and guidelines for planning and developing group homes for developmentally disabled and mentally retarded adults. Procedures are outlined for agencies involved in developing a group home, including the area mental health program, non-profit board, regional mental health office, regional facilities serving the mentally…

Reports results of a survey of 31 administrators of graduate programs in outdoor education. Reports on the programs (classification, priorities, testing, resident programs), the faculty (attitudes, composition), and the graduate students (faculty attitudes, enrollment). (SB)

This paper examines factors associated with meaningful family involvement in program planning for community residential services for individuals with mental retardation. It is argued that personnel in placement settings are often ambivalent about more family involvement. Guidelines for involving families at every stage both before and after…

This paper offers a model for planning services for children who are both mentally retarded and autistic. The model and recommendations for the residential therapeutic environment are organized according to the main axes of child development (biological, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional). (Author/DB)

This document presents the testimony of Arnold P. Jones, Senior Associate Director of the United States General Accounting Office, before the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Affairs, on the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. The Act established a legalization program that permits undocumented aliens to become permanent…

The volunteer shelter bed program development guidelines in this booklet are offered as a community-based alternative to the institutionalization of status offenders. The volunteer shelter bed program is described as a nonsecure residential alternative for status offenders, which can be implemented without the creation of new facilities or the…

Presented are guidelines on planning and establishing a small, residential halfway house for the male adolescent/adult retardate in which mental health and use of the halfway house to replace institutionalization of selected retardates are emphasized. The halfway house is explained to be planned on premises of community participation and program…