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)

A more productive approach to providing appropriate long-term care is to separate physical from psychosocial needs when performing functional assessment and to rearrange them into a matrix. By examining each need separately, and where needs overlap in the matrix, more direct assessment can be performed, and specified interventions can be designed.…

Two case reports are presented of institutionalized women who were diagnosed as having Prader-Willi syndrome at the ages of 54 and 69. Implications are discussed for management of such persons and for program planning/funding for a much longer life expectancy than earlier realized. (Author/JDD)

Reviews recent research studies about child development and child care, examining how an understanding of the former can improve the latter. Outlines what is needed for a sense of being personally cared for, focusing on these themes: bodily comfort, sensitivity to personal differences, rhythmatic interactions, predictability, dependability,…

Discusses the interpersonal and organizational underpinnings of group living and residential child care, with group living perceived as an arena for children to practice life's demands. Argues that individual development and change proceed through interpersonal experience and the context in which they occur. (KH)

The article discusses areas of behavioral gerontology that would profit from additional research, such as self-management, community caregiver training, and geriatric behavioral pharmacology. Considerations for adapting behavioral procedures for the elderly are discussed, and suggestions for expanding the role of behavior analysis in geriatric…