Group homes are one of the most common out-of-home placements for youth with mental health problems. However, they are viewed very negatively by a variety of key stakeholders due to concerns about safety and iatrogenic effects. There has been very little research on quality, practices, or outcomes that could address/examine these concerns or inform practice and policy. Hence, since 2007, we have been conducting an NIMH-funded quasiexperimental study of group homes to explore key factors and their relationships with youth outcomes. The study compares group homes that are implementing the Teaching Family Model (a “promising practice” for group home care) with homes that are not. The current presentation will provide preliminary findings from this work on characteristics of homes and youth, key practices and processes, and youth outcomes. Discussion will focus on conceptual and methodological issues in conducting such work.
- Farmer Ghpresentation Prevention Seminar031412
