- Published on
What Reading Research Tells Us About Children With Diverse Learning Needs
- Authors
- Name
- Deborah C. Simmons
- @search?q=Deborah C. Simmons
Summary of "Residential Treatment: What the Research Tells Us"
The Harm of Residential Treatment
- Ineffectiveness: Studies, including one by the U.S. Surgeon General, show only weak evidence of the success of residential treatment.
- Institutional Dependence: Research indicates that many children return to institutions after discharge from residential treatment.
- Lack of Solid Evidence: Even industry insiders acknowledge the absence of strong research supporting the effectiveness of residential treatments.
Better Alternatives
- Wraparound Milwaukee Case Study: Demonstrates significant success in treating children in home-based settings rather than institutions.
- Reduced Institutionalization: Achieved a 90% reduction in the number of children in residential treatment centers (RTCs).
- Family Reunification and Cost Savings: Led to family reunifications, reduced crime, and saved millions in treatment costs.
- Advocacy for Home-Based Care: Emphasizes the importance of supporting families and foster homes instead of relying on institutional care.
Resistance and Reform
- Institutional Resistance: Some institutions initially resisted the shift to home-based care due to financial concerns.
- Crisis of Conscience and Reform: Certain institutions, upon recognizing their programs' failures, reformed to focus more on family and foster home-based care.
Conclusion
- The research and case studies emphasize the limited effectiveness of residential treatment for children and highlight the benefits of community and family-based alternatives.