Abstract
Historically, public demand for group residential services for children has been marked by competition among special interests and by sometimes contradictory accountability standards that have placed these services in a “no win” position as they struggle to respond to a growing array of needs in the face of proliferating controls and diminishing resources. A new era is now emerging, however, one marked by a clear and unified public demand for services capable of preparing children in the behavioral competencies needed for acceptable community living. Four benchmarks suggested for assessing an agency's current state of readiness to meet emerging demand include Accountability Standards, Service Ideology, Task Orientation, and Technical Strategies. For those who are prepared, the prospects are for an era of unparalleled opportunity for service and attendant public support.
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This is a slightly modified version of a paper that was presented as the closing address at the Kentucky Association of Homes for Children Fall Workshop, Louisville, October 22, 1987.
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Thomas, G. Keeping children's needs paramount: A new era of accountability and opportunity for group residential services. Child Youth Care Forum 18, 81–92 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01184756
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01184756