Little research has been undertaken into how children with complex communication needs living in residential care are encouraged to express their views, be involved in decision-making, and importantly, make it known when they are unhappy. This group are often placed a long distance from home and can be some of the most vulnerable children in the…

Much has been written about theories of aging in premodern times, but much less is known about theories of residential care. This article describes a handbook prescribing the building, staffing, and running of residences for seniors: "The Gerontocomos," published in Italy in 1489 by Gabrielle Zerbi. The handbook describes in detail the…

This policy commentary addresses a significant access to care issue that faces methadone maintenance patients seeking residential treatment in the United States. Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) has demonstrated strong efficacy in the outpatient treatment of opiate dependence. However, many opiate dependent patients are also in need of more…

In this paper the origin of the Camphill Movement will be outlined. Particular attention will be paid to the influence of the Moravian Brethren educational model in the development of the Camphill Schools. A key influence which helped to shape Camphill philosophy and practice was the writing of Jan Amos Comenius (1592-1670), a bishop in the…

This practical staff development guide aims to help senior managers, practitioners and others, including placing authorities, to evaluate the quality of provision made for children and young people in residential special schools and secure care accommodation services. It highlights effective ways in which services can fully support some of…

Recent developments in the area of respite care for families of handicapped individuals are discussed. Two programs, the Hartford Regional Center, which has more than 60 licensed respite homes on its lists, and the Respite Care center of the St. Louis Association for Retarded Children, which has a 16 bed facility, are described. (PHR)

The place of private residential programs in the care of individuals with disabilities is discussed. Problems often associated with residential centers are considered and the Woods School, a private institution for handicapped children and adults, is described as an example of the positive benefits of private institutional care. (PHR)

In the 6 states which comprise Region 5, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, there are 23 independent living centers. Programs at these centers are dedicated to the development and provision of a variety of services which assist severely handicapped people to realize the goal of maximum individual independence. These…

A series of 6- to 10-week programs in creative collage were given to disabled elderly residents within a special care facility. The program stressed choice, decision making, and personal autonomy in the design process. Participants were involved in all stages of the creative process including exploration, manipulation, establishing a unity,…

A Ford Foundation demonstration project intended to improve the quality of work life and reduce turnover among homemakers/home health aides in the home care industry was evaluated. The project supported three separate work life demonstration at home care agencies in New York City and Syracuse, New York and in San Diego, California. The…

Since 1974, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania has provided students with disabilities the opportunity to attend a higher education institution. From a modest beginning audience of less than two dozen students, the university now provides services to nearly 300 students. Services and personnel now include over 50 full-time employees, and over 100…

To obtain information concerning interagency agreements which use the resources of various state agencies to serve handicapped children, state agency officials in Connecticut and Maryland responsible for establishing and implementing such agreements were interviewed by Government Accounting Office officials, and pertinent documents were reviewed.…

Any discussions about specialized helping environments for children or young people would be incomplete without reference to the relationships found between practices in group care centers and schools. This involves thinking of a child's total environment as a curriculum for teaching competencies and learning outcomes important to daily living.…

The 25th Annual Report to Congress has been designed to showcase the data collected from states and the national studies that make up the Office of Special Education Programs' (OSEP) National Assessment of the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act. To this end, OSEP proposed questions about the characteristics of children and…