Redefining Residential: Ensuring the Pre-conditions for Transformation through Licensing, Regulation, Accreditation, and Standards

Abstract

This is the third in a series of papers regarding the redefinition of residential treatment being disseminated by The American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC). The AACRC is the longest standing national association focused specifically on program and policy issues pertaining to the treatment of children and youth in 24-hour out-of-home group settings. For the past few years, AACRC, through its conferences and committee work, has been advancing ideas and showcasing research and innovative programs that highlight the critical role residential treatment can play in community systems of care and the importance of re-engineering and transforming traditional practice models to achieve greater quality, efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness. This paper will discuss the value of transformation from both the national and organizational perspectives and identify the key foundational structures, already in place in most organizations, which are preconditions for a successful implementation of a transformation agenda.