Promising Program Models in Therapeutic Residential Care

Quality care, effective services, and evidence-based practice are topics that have shaped practice and policy developments in human services fields for two decades. In the field of therapeutic residential care (TRC)... [ view full abstract ]

Quality care, effective services, and evidence-based practice are topics that have shaped practice and policy developments in human services fields for two decades. In the field of therapeutic residential care (TRC) discussions on the implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve the quality and effectiveness of care are relatively recent. Yet there is evidence that residential care providers are increasingly open toward evidence-based practice and are experimenting with how to implement program models and client-specific treatments that have an empirical base. Unfortunately, the literature to date provides limited guidance from a theoretical and empirical standpoint about which program models and interventions to implement and about the processes and factors to be considered during implementation.

This plenary talk will provide an overview of what is currently known about promising program models in therapeutic residential care (TRC) and the implementation of client-specific psychosocial interventions that are supported by research and are relevant for youth in TRC. It will discuss conceptual and methodological challenges for both practitioners and researchers involved in TRC.