Elective off premises activities of 65 functionally mobile patients in two nursing homes were studied for a six-month period. More intact patients engaged in a greater frequency of off premises outings. Thus, in-house recreational activities in a long-term care setting should be geared to the more deprived intellectually impaired patient…

Reviews the design and implementation of a direct-service volunteer program in the Boys and Girls Aid Society of San Diego, a private, nonprofit treatment facility for 56 emotionally disturbed teenagers. (Author/SDH)

Although researchers have investigated quality and cost of residential care, little is known about the people who own and manage residential care facilities. In an attempt to find out more about these managers, members of the National Association of Residential Care Facilities (NARCF) were surveyed. Members (N=175) responded to questionnaires…

Stress and burnout are common in the caregiving professions. Stress negatively affects both the caregivers and patients. In order to help caregivers deal with stress effectively and to improve the care in residential care facilities, it is essential to learn more about the particular stressors that managers of such facilities experience. In this…

Developments in Canadian child welfare services during the last 20 years are discussed in this paper. The discussion is based on data gathered from provincial annual reports and public accounts, Statistics Canada publications and Health and Welfare Canada reports on homes for special care, and from the author's earlier study of the child welfare…

This paper focuses on the process of staff selection of child care staff at a residential treatment center for children, ages 8-16. Phases of candidate selection, an "open-door" interview procedure, the orientation of hired candidates and the agency's philosophy, procedures and practices are discussed. (GO)

An assessment study was conducted to compile a comprehensive view of the training needs of child care workers in eastern upstate New York. A Needs Assessment Questionnaire was distributed to 539 child care workers, and 65% were returned. The questionnaires concerned demographic, specific job-related, and training-related information. In addition,…

The manual is designed to acquaint parents and friends of developmentally disabled persons in New York residential treatment facilities with the manner in which a developmental center should be maintained and staffed, the services which should be provided to the residents, and the basic legal rights of the residents. A short summary of rights is…

In an effort to indicate the needs and goals of residential care for the mentally handicapped, the booklet defines residential care and presents a statement of its purpose. Discussed are conditions under which residential care is appropriate, the legal rights of the individual, needed services, regional and community resources, and the living…

Characteristics of nursing homes perceived as effective and efficient by other administrators and persons in state government are compared to characteristics of nursing homes across the nation. Facilities perceived as efficient and effective had more staff, were certified for more levels of care, had more beds, and higher occupancy rates. (Author)

This article describes the development of one measurement instrument that used self-characterizations of the mentally retarded adult as indicators of his or her readiness to move into a facility for more independent living. Though the focus of the article is on mentally retarded adults, it is the author's opinion that the approach can be used with…

Describes a method of objective assessment of candidates for child care work in residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children. Selected with attention to minimizing cost and applicant time, the measurement instruments examine a broad pool of psychosocial variables. Analysis of results for a test group of 23 workers yielded a…

Examines the workings of a children's residential treatment environment in order to gain new insight into residential treatment in general. Areas studied include: children's responses to crowding or to isolation; use of open areas; personalization of life space; spatial territoriality; and environmental accommodation. (BF)

The degree of participation in decision making by direct care staff aides, and its effect on the quality of care for mentally handicapped persons, was assessed among 125 staff of 3 state institutions averaging 1080 patients. (BB)