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CFS Helps Initiate Alliance For Youth In Unregulated, Private Residential Treatment Programs

A multi-disciplinary taskforce has formed at the Department of Child and Family Studies to study the issues regarding the growing number of reports from youth and families and the public media regarding the exploitation, mistreatment and abuse of youth in unregulated, private residential treatment programs. Co-sponsored by the Department of Child and Family Studies and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate use of Residential Treatment (A START) was formed in 2005 when leaders in children’s mental health, representing a variety of roles and disciplines, recognized that they shared concerns regarding private residential treatment programs. The Alliance now includes leaders in psychology, psychiatry, nursing, mental health law, policy and family advocacy, as well as individuals with direct program experience as director, evaluator, parent or participant.

A START aims to facilitate a response to the growing concerns by increasing the access of parents, child-serving professionals/organizations, policy makers and researchers to information regarding the issues associated with unregulated residential programs.

The development of online resources for families is a particular focus of the collaborative, given the intensive internet-based marketing strategies currently used by many of the unregulated residential programs to target vulnerable families.A START also seeks to support legislation that protects youth and families by establishing licensing, regulatory and monitoring standards for all residential programs serving minors.The recent, dramatic growth of residential treatment facilities reflects the need to increase access to effective care for children and families in their own homes and communities so that residential care is used only when needed, and not by default because other services are unavailable.

"There are two main reasons for focusing on this issue, said Robert Friedman,PhD, chair of the Department of Child & Family Studies. "First and foremost is the concern that children are being abused and harmed, and their parents are being misled and exploited, and we want to provide adequate protection for all children and families. Second, the frequent use of these programs is another indication that our system is failing to adequately respond to the needs of children and families, and we need to constantly strive to make changes so that children and families can get the help they need in their own communities."

Currently, A START is organizing a press conference on Capitol Hill to highlight the concerns relating to unregulated residential facilities for youth. In addition to Department of Child and Family Studies and the Bazelon Center, co-sponsors of this press conference will include APA, CWLA and AACP. Over 100 mental health professionals and key family advocacy organizations have signed a letter to Congress drafted by A START, expressing concern about these issues and support of H.R. 1738, the End Institutionalized Abuse Against Children Act of 2005.

For more information about A START, please contact Allison Pinto, PhD at apinto@fmhi.usf.edu or 813-974-9179.

The Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS) is a department of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida. The faculty and staff of CFS are committed to enhancing the development, mental health and well-being of children and families through leadership in integrating research, theory & practice.

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