Constructing an integrated and evidenced‐based model for residential services

Summary

There is paucity in both the literature and in the practice of integrated, evidence‐based models of residential care for youth. This article describes the assessment and the process that led to the redesign of services at a residential center. The article describes how evidence‐based models for each of the four major disciplines (residential staff, recreation staff, teaching staff and clinical staff) were selected and integrated across me residential campus. Each discipline went through an assessment process to determine best practices and selected an evidence‐based service model based on the changing needs of the youth and families referred for residential care. Residential staff chose trauma focused cognitive‐behavior interventions. Recreational staff chose experiential education. Teaching staff chose the positive behavior intervention system. Clinical staff chose the collaborative therapy model. The article describes how the agency‐wide training program integrated the four models under guiding sanctuary principles so that the care is integrated.

Keywords:

• Evidenced‐based
• residential care
• sanctuary
• youth
• child welfare