Group homes provide
residential care to children who need services not otherwise available in the community. If a child is the victim of abuse or neglect, he may need more intensive attention and treatment to help him learn to address his abuse/neglect issues and develop coping skills. Parents and caregivers need to know what residential group homes can offer to children and teenagers so they can make the best decision about the needs of their children.
Considerations
Most children have to learn to cope with events and situations in their lives. It is how they cope and what behaviors they exhibit that concern parents or caregivers. If behaviors are dangerous or otherwise worrisome, a residential treatment facility may be appropriate.
Significance
If a child is acting out in ways which can harm her or others, she needs to be helped in ways that parents, teachers, clergy or doctors may not be equipped to handle. If the parents have as much knowledge as possible, they are better able to help their child more quickly.
Function
A residential group home is a family home which has been bought by an agency; the home is adapted to meet the needs of children. Adult caregivers, staff members, psychologists and child care specialists stay at the home 24 hours a day to provide supervision and care for the residents. See link in Resources.
Features
Group homes provide children with activities designed to help them learn to handle self-care tasks; education is provided at the home by a licensed teacher. For children with mental disorders, a point or reward system is often used to help the children modify their behavior. See link in Resources.
Warning
Group homes and their parent agencies are monitored and licensed by the state. If violations are found, the group home can be closed or placed under close supervision until the problems are addressed and corrected.
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