Residential Care for Youth in the Child Welfare System: Stop-Gap Option or Not?

Abstract

This study provides national estimates for length of stay in residential care and examines within-group variability along salient predictors. Using data from the National Study on Child and Adolescent Well-Being, the sample included 254 youth with episodes in residential care. Descriptive analyses provided estimates for length of stay over the three-year study period. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the effect of predictor variables on length of stay. Results indicate that a minority of youth experienced short stays in residential care. Chronic health problems and a greater number of placements were associated with longer stays. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Keywords:

• residential care
• residential treatment
• length of stay in care
• child welfare
• out-of-home care
• negative binomial regression

Acknowledgments

This study was supported through funding from NIMH grant K01 MH077732-01A1.

Notes

1. In this article we use the generic term “residential care” to encompass residentially-based services such as residential treatment facilities and group homes.

2. Defined as placement in group home or residential treatment facility.