Task-Centered Child and Youth Care Practice in Residential Treatment

ABSTRACT

The focus of case management in residential treatment is to ensure consistency by child and youth workers. Task-centered contracts can become an integral part of therapeutic intervention. Critically, contracts focus on every conceivable aspect of residential life and community re-entry. The contracting process maximizes learning for residents by organizing interactions and inculcating problem solving strategies. This approach asks residents to be reflective, to consider standards for their own behaviors, and to discuss relationship issues. It is critical for youth in treatment to develop social skills rather than to be reactive. The following paper discusses the application of Task-Centered Concepts which attempts to bring unity, harmony and direction into the lives of adolescents in residential treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Task-centered contracts
• residential treatment
• case management
• child care
• youth care