What We Know About Residential Care for Vulnerable Youth

"In the United States, an estimated 33,000 youth ages eight and older live in residential care facilities. And across the globe, researchers estimate that some 2.7 million young people live in residential care. In the U.S. and many developed countries, adolescents typically enter residential care after experiencing abuse, neglect, or other adverse childhood experiences. In addition, many young people admitted to residential care have experienced multiple, unsuccessful foster placements."

"Across the globe, opponents of youth residential care - including UNICEF, an agency of the United Nations responsible for aiding children worldwide - are calling for an end to all residential care for children and youth. They cite the problems of maltreatment and substandard care some children have experienced in large institutional care facilities. But proponents maintain that residential care facilities provide the structured, intensive care required for young people who cannot remain safely in a home environment."

Thousands of youth globally live in residential care facilities, with about 33,000 in the United States ages eight and older and roughly 2.7 million worldwide. Adolescents typically enter residential care after abuse, neglect, or other adverse childhood experiences, and many have experienced multiple unsuccessful foster placements. These youth often present significant emotional and behavioral needs that require specialized education, treatment, and protection in a structured environment. Critics point to maltreatment and substandard conditions in some institutions and call for ending residential care. Supporters argue that well-run residential care delivers the intensive, structured support necessary and that research shows good residential care can be as effective or more effective than alternative placements. Cornell's Residential Child Care Project has developed evidence-based programs for more than 50 years.

Read at Psychology Today