Progress 07/01/97 to 06/30/04
Outputs
The archiving work described in last year's report 'for permanent availability of the project's collection of published and unpublished documents in the field, possibly the most extensive collection of its kind in existence' culminated in the formal establishment of the Child and Youth Care Work Archive at an international conference in August. The initial materials in this collection come from the Principal Investigator's files, including those accumulated in the course of the present project, and is being classified using the taxonomy that was developed through the project and published last year. It includes categories for policy, programs, and direct care personnel with appropriate subcategories at multiple levels. Meanwhile, work on the writeup of existing project data is continuing within the limitations imposed by the principal investigator's phased retirement arrangement, and the work is being extended through related projects being conducted by other
investigators based in part on existing project data and earlier findings.
Impacts
This project (1) is directed toward the identification and clear specification of critical residential group care program variables and how they might be measured and linked to program outcomes, which has proven to be a difficult and elusive task throughout the field, and (2) has been instrumental in establishing the Child and Youth Care Work Archive, which will make resources covering the entire history of the field available to scholars and practitioners alike. The Economic benefits of success in group care programs are indirect, reflected in more effective families, enhanced contributions of both parents and older children in the workplace, lessened community disruption by troubled youth, and lowered expenditures for correctional and treatment programs. In terms of Quality of Life, the programs involved seek to facilitate the normal development of young people whose environmental deficits would otherwise result in unhappy, unproductive lives for many of them, thus
enhancing the quality of their lives, helping them contribute to their families and communities, and sparing our entire society the damage that they otherwise might cause.
Publications
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The archiving work projected in last year's report'for permanent availability of the project's collection of published and unpublished documents in the field, possibly the most extensive collection of its kind in existence, continued and was expanded in several ways. Arrangements for housing the archive and for the participation of several appropriate colleagues whose material would be included have been completed in collaboration with an international advisory committee. (The chair of this committee spent a week here in March helping in this process and is expected to return early in 2003 for further collaborative work.) The taxonomy according to which the material is being classified--including categories for policy, programs, and direct care personnel with appropriate subcategories at multiple levels-has been published (see Beker & Gagne in publications listed below). It is scheduled to be formally introduced to the field at an international conference in August
2003. Meanwhile, work on the writeup of existing project data continues within the limitations imposed by the principal investigator's current phased retirement arrangement, and the work is being extended through related projects being conducted by other investigators based in part on existing project data and earlier findings.
Impacts
This project is directed toward the identification and clear specification of critical residential group care program variables and how they might be measured and linked to program outcomes, which has proven to be a difficult and elusive task throughout the field. The Economic benefits of success in these kinds of programs are indirect, reflected in more effective families, enhanced contributions of both parents and older children in the workplace, lessened community disruption by troubled youth, and lowered expenditures for correctional and treatment programs. In terms of Quality of Life, the programs involved seek to facilitate the normal development of young people whose environmental deficits would otherwise result in unhappy, unproductive lives for many of them, thus enhancing the quality of their lives, helping them contribute to their families and communities, and sparing our entire society the damage that they otherwise might cause.
Publications
- Beker, J. 2002. By way of thanks for warm recognition: Some personal and professional reflections on the field and its prospects for the future. Child & Youth Care Forum 30:325-330.
- Beker, J. 2002. Remembering Al . . . and CCQ. Child & Youth Care Forum 31:279-280.
- Beker, J. and Gagne, J. 2002. Toward a taxonomy for the child and youth care field: An initial proposal and an invitation. Child & Youth Care Forum 31:37-44.
- Schneider-Munoz, A. J. and Beker, J. (2002) Revisiting a classic, and one of our founding fathers. Child & Youth Care Forum 31:45-60.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
This year, the archiving work projected in last year's report 'for permanent availability of the project's collection of published and unpublished documents in the field, possibly the most extensive collection of its kind in existence,' continued and was expanded in several ways. Arrangements for housing the archive and for the participation of several appropriate colleagues whose material would be included were initiated in collaboration with a newly developed advisory committee. (The chair of this committee anticipates spending two weeks here in February helping in the process.) A draft of the proposed taxonomy according to which the material will be classified--including categories for policy, programs, and direct care personnel with appropriate subcategories at multiple levels--was completed and published on the internet to solicit comments and suggestions from colleagues in the filed, and responses have begun to arrive. The taxonomy will be revised accordingly
and will then be proposed more formally as an organizing framework not only for the archive, but also for the field as a whole, through an appropriate journal article. Meanwhile, work on the writeup of existing project data continues within the limitations imposed by the principal investigator's current phased retirement arrangement, and the work is being extended through related projects being conducted by other investigators based in part on existing project data and earlier findings. Publications on track for the coming year include the taxonomy mentioned above, the two others mentioned in last year's report, and invited retrospective on the still-relevant career contributions of two pioneering leaders in the field whose untimely passing cut their work short.
Impacts
This project is directed toward the identification and clear specification of critical residential group care program variables and how they might be measured and linked to program outcomes, which has proven to be a difficult and elusive task throughout the field. The economic benefits of program sucess are indirect, reflected in more effective families, enhanced contributions of both parents and older children in the workplace, lessened community disruption by troubled youth, and lowered expenditures for correctional and treatment programs. In terms of Quality of Life, the programs involved seek to facilitate the normal development of young people whose environmental deficits would otherwise result in unhappy, unproductive lives for many of them, thus enhancing the quality of their lives, helping them contribute to their families and communities, and sparing our entire society the damage that might otherwise cause.
Publications
- Beker, J. (2001). Welcome home: Some reflections from the Cleveland conference on the future of our field. J. Child & Youth Care Work 15/16: 6-7.
- Beker, J. & Gagne, J. (2001). Toward a taxonomy for the child and youth care field: Seeking help from our colleagues. CYC-Net (CYC-Online Internet journal). December.
- Beker, J. (2001). Henry Maier, 'Doctor of Science'! Child & Youth Care Forum 29:355-358.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
This year, emphasis shifted to the archiving work projected in last year's report 'for permanent availability of the project's collection of published and unpublished documents in the field, possibly the most extensive collection of its kind in existence.' This has enabled the project to take advantage of outside support for research assistance that became avilable for this prupose and to pursue it while the principal investigator, currently on a phased retirement arrangement, is available to guide the work. Several appropriate research centers have expressed interest in housing such a resource and in making it available on a proactive basis to scholars in the field, and a leading colleague at another institution with complementary material has expressed interest in having that material included as well. Currently in progress is the development of a taxonomy according to which the material will be clasified, including categories for policy, programs, and direct care
personnel with appropriate subcategories at multiple levels. An initial draft of the taxonomy will soon be circulated to the field informally for suggested changes and additions and, after revisions are made on this basis, will be proposed more formally through an appropriate journal article. Meanwhile, work on the writeup of existing project data continues, and the work is being extended through related projects being conducted by other investigators based in part on existing project data and earlier findings. Publications on track for the coming year include the taxonomy mentioned above, a manuscript on critical variables that appear to characterize successful programs (based on the apparent convergence of earlier project findings and related data from other projects), and a response being developed by the principal investigator in an effort to integrate the major themes from a Festschrift that has just been published in his honor into the development of the field as has been
illuminated through the project.
Impacts
This project is directed toward the identification and clear specification of critical residential group care program variables and how they might be measured and linked to program outcomes, which has proven to be a difficult and elusive task throughout the field. The economic benefits of program success are indirect, reflected in more effective families, enhanced contributions of both parents and older children in the workplace, lessened community disruption by troubled youth, and lowered expenditures for correctional and treatment programs. In terms of Quality Life, the programs involved seek to facilitate the normal development of young people whose environmental deficits would otherwise result in unhappy, unproductive lives for many of them, thus enhancing the quality of their lives, helping them contribute to their families and communities, and sparing our entire society the damage that they might otherwise cause.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Emphasis is on consolidating earlier findings and planning to realize project goals. This work is proceeding in three directions. First, writeup of various parts of the project continue, most notably in 1999 through a symposium on community-based residential child and youth care work and an editorial piece on the alternatives to traditional labelling of program types so as to highlight outcome-related variables. Second, plans are underway to archive for permanent availability the project's collection of published and unpublished documents in the field, possibly the most extensive collection of its kind in existence. This is being handled through the University's widely known and respected Social Welfare History Archives. Finally, various elements of the project are being 'spun off' to other investigators who have done related work so that the overall effort will be nurtured and sustained. In process is an article assessing the relevance of recently published youth
program criteria that appear to be associated with positive outcomes for residential programs. These criteria largely mirror the program variables that have been identified in the course of this project as characteristic of 'modifying environments.' It is anticipated that, by integrating project findings with broader work in the field, this analysis will enhance the project's findings in the residential program domain as well more clearly delineating its implications for youth services as a whole.
Impacts
This project assessing the effectiveness of residential group programs for young people, is directed toward the identification and clear specification of the critical program variables and how they might be measured and linked to program outcomes.
Publications
- BEKER, J. (1999). Community-Based Residential Child and Youth Care Work: Opportunity or Oxymoron? Child and Youth Care Forum, 28(4).257-259.
- BEKER, J. (1999). Program Labels or Client-Centered Variables? Child and Youth Care Forum, 28(6).257-290.
- BEKER, J. (Ed.). (1999). Symposium: Community-Based Residential Child and Youth Care Work. Child and Youth Care Forum, 28(4).
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
This report covers a two year period, 1997 and 1998. During this period, edited books and/or special journal issues were published (in collaboration with the project) on residential treatment and its alternatives, child and youth care work research, child and youth care work in The Netherlands, the use of rites of passage in child and youth care work, the influence of residential education on national and social development, and experiential components of the direct care role in group care. In press or in final editing are new ones on the implications of kibbutz programs for at-risk youth for child and youth care work, research on intergenerational programs, professionalization of child and youth care work, the experience of doing detached youthwork, and a comparative study of street youthwork in the United States and Brazil. Work is resuming in the two directions projected earlier: (1) the idea that, for young people unable to live productively in their families of
origin and for whom alternative care is needed, a well-organized group care community may be able to nurture development more effectively than a foster quasi-family situation that looks like a family but may not feel or function like one in the experience of the youth in care; and (2) with regard to the direct care worker role in such settings, the idea that the characteristics that indicate effectiveness among parents and psychotherapists can be used in combination to define worker effectiveness. In addition, it is planned to pick up on three themes with international perspectives that were pursued earlier, the concept of the 'modifying environment,' the conceptualization of group services as primarily educational rather than treatment environments, and the elaboration of the concepts that were derived from the project's 1993 observational study of group care programs in Israel.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Beker, J. (1997). Editorial: The Next Frontier. Child and Youth Care Forum, 26(1), 3-5.
- Beker, J. (1997). Editorial: 'Poor Pumpkin....' Child and Youth Care Forum, 26(2), 65-66.
- Beker, J. (1997). Editorial: The Winds of Change. Child and Youth Care Forum, 26(6), 387-389.
- Beker, J. (1998). Editorial: The Best is Yet to Be. Child and Youth Care Forum, 27(6), 381-382.
- Beker, J. (1998). Editorial: CYC-Net: Come On In, the Water's Fine. Child and Youth Care Forum, 27(2), 73-75.
- Beker, J. (1998). Editorial: An International Issue? Child and Youth Care Forum, 27(3), 151-152.
- Beker, J. (1998). Editorial: Reprise. Child and Youth Care Forum, 27(1), 3-4.
- Beker, J. (1998). Editorial: Time for a Change. Child and Youth Care Forum, 27(4), 235-236.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
Two books--one oriented toward conceptual and policy issues from an international perspective, the other more practice-oriented--were published in 1996. Two of the three books in preparation last year--on anthropological approaches to the study of youthwork and on the experiential components of the direct care role in group care, respectively--are in press, and new ones are in preparation on international youth policy, research on inter-generational youthwork programming, a comparative study of street youthwork in the US and Brazil, and the experience of care in residential programs. A forthcoming journal special issue will begin to address the question, raised in last year's report, regarding how residential programs can function effectively in a managed care environment. Two emergent conceptual threads are being pursued: 1) the idea that, for young people unable to live productively in their families of origin and for whom alternative care is needed, a
well-organized group care community may be able to nurture development more effectively than a foster quasi-family situation that looks like a family, but may not feel or function like one as it is experienced by the youth in care; and 2) with regard to the direct care worker role in such settings, the idea that the characteristics that indicate effectiveness among parents and psychotherapists can be used, in combination to define worker effectiveness.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BEKER, J. (Ed.). 1996. Symposium: Shealy's Therapeutic Parent Model--Responses from the Field. Child and Youth Care Forum, 25(5), 277-348.
- BEKER, J. and MAGNUSON, D. (Eds.). 1996. Residential Education as an Option for At-Risk Youth. Special issue of Residential Treatment for Children and Youth 13(3). (Also published as a book--New York: The Haworth Press, Inc.) BEKER, J. and MAGNUSON, D. 1996. Residential Education as an Option for At-Risk Youth: Learning from the Israeli Experience. in Beker and Magnuson (Eds.), 1996,3-48.
- BEKER, J. and MAGNUSON, D. 1996. Residential Education in the United States: Some Questions, Some Suggestions, and a Look Ahead. In Beker and Magnuson (Eds.), 1996, 117-124.
- BEKER, J., MAGNUSON, D., MAGNUSON, C., and BEKER, D.E. 1996. What do I Do Now : Challenges and Choices for Camp Counselors and other Youth Leaders. Martinsville, IN, American Camping Association.
- MAGNUSON, D., BARNES, F. H., and BEKER, J. 1996. Human Development Imperatives inthe Organization of Group Care Programs: A Practical Approach. In Beker and Magnuson (Eds.), 1996, 85-97.
- BEKER, J. 1996. Editorials, Child & Youth Care Forum, V. 25: All in the Family (3-5); On the Separation of Church and State (71-72); What's Sauce for the Goose... (137-138); Exploring in Depth (209-210); Carol, Welcome Aboard! (275-2.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
In 1995, the projected journal special issue (now also to be published as a book) detailing international work on the project and its implications for residential programs in the United States (see 1994 report) was completed, and is due to appear in February. The project has also contributed substantively to three related forthcoming books detailing historical perspectives on the field, the use of anthropological approaches in its advancement, and the experiential/existential component of the direct care work role in group care, respectively. The use of group care as a family enhancing modality has received new attention in the field, and the project has moved to incorporate this perspective without (as frequently happens) ignoring the needs of the large numbers of young people who cannot look to their families for meaningful social and psychological support. For the first time, the project has also begun to look at group care models that simulate families in order to
make comparisons between these and the larger group or simulated community models that have heretofore been its focus. The same variables identified earlier as well as potential additional ones are being used in these comparisons. Attention has also been given to changes that will be needed in how group care services are to be conceptualized as educational more than as treatment modalities if they are to achieve and maintain their appropriate role in the context of a managed care environment.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BEKER, J. 1995. Symposium: Professional Ethics in Child and Youth Care Work: An Update and Some New Perspectives. Child and Youth Care Forum, 24(6).
- BEKER, J. 1995. Editorial: Articles of Faith. Child and Youth Care Forum, 24(4), 213-214.
- BEKER, J. 1995. Editorial: Child Care. Youth Care. Managed Care. Who Cares. Child and Youth Care Forum 24(3), 149-150.
- BEKER, J. 1995. Editorial: Joe Camel and his Friends. Child and Youth Care Forum 24(5), 281-282.
- BEKER, J. 1995. Editorial: "...nor lose the common touch." Child and Youth Care Forum 24(6).
- DURKIN, R.P., BEKER, J., AND FEUERSTEIN, R. 1995. Can Environ. Modify & Enhance Devel of Personality & Behavior.: Toward Understanding ... of Modifying Environ in Group Care Settings. Residen Treat for Child & Youth, 12(4), 1-14.
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
During this period, emphasis was on dissemination of project outcomes so far forapplication in the field. A forthcoming journal special issue will detail comparative findings from the Israel study reported last year, will compare the Israeli and European models in the context of U.S. practice, will provide cost impact of the approaches studies on minority youth, and will draw implications for policy and practice. Another article on the modifying environment concept will appear as well, and a survey of the major reference work in the field. A book designed for the training of youthworkers was completed and is in press. The sudden prominence of the "back to the orphanage" movement on the domestic policy agenda has led to an increase in media inquiries requiring response, and papers applying the project's efforts to this question, directed to professional/academic and informed lay audiences, are in preparation. Work in progress will compare social environmental
characteristics in U.S. group care settings with those that have been observed abroad and assess how changes can be made to enhance program services.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BEKER, J. 1994. Editorial: Birds of a Feather. Child and Youth Care Forum, 23(4), 221-222.
- BEKER, J. 1994. noes Institutional Child Care do More Harm than Good. No. Part of a debate in E. Gambrill and T.J. Stein (eds.), Controversiaal Issues in Child Welfare. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
- BEKER, J. 1994. Editorial: "Just Don't Talk to Them About Feelings. ..." Child and Youth Care Forum 23(1), 3-4.
- BEKER, J. 1994. Editorial: Payback Time. Child and youth Care Forum 23(6), 361-362.
- BEKER, J. 1994. Editorial: "Put Up or shut Up!" Child and Youth Care Forum 23(5), 295-296.
- BEKER, J. 1994. Editorial: Yes or No. Child and Youth Care Forum 23(2), 87-88.
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
Cross-national comparative study of residential group care environments for children and youth continued, with emphasis on the living group and roles of direct care personnel. Sabbatical of Principle Investigator permitted on-site study of "residential education" programs in Israel serving socially and educationally disadvantaged, delinquent, and immigrant youth populations. Eighteen major themes identified for comparative analysis of U.S. and Israeli group care practice include: Education vs. Care; Community; Residential Education as Positive Youth Development; Expectation that Change is Possible; Permanence of Commitment; Social Integration; Ideological Commitment; Structure, Control, and Negotiation; Motivation; The Logic of Misbehavior; National and Cultural Identification; Multiculturalism; Work; "Official" Requirements; A Comparison of Youth Populations; Rules and Social Control; "Charisma"; and Similarities in Trends. "Shaping Modifying Environments" work with
Reuven Feuerstein in Israel and the U.S also continued and will be integrated with the above to develop models of developmentally appropriate group care to meet growing out-of-home youth service needs in the U.S. and abroad.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BEKER, J. 1993. Aging In and Aging Out: Some Thoughts on Caring and Generational Change. Child and Youth Care Forum 22: 175-176.
- BEKER, J. 1993. An International Roundup: Why and What. Child and Youth Care Forum. 22: 81-82.
- BEKER, J. 1993. "Boot Camps"--A New Challenge to the Field. Child and Youth Care Forum. 22:401-401.
- BEKER, J. 1993. Essay Review (2 books on international group care for children and youth). Child and Youth Care Forum 22: 165-169.
- BEKER, J., and MAGNUSON, D. (Eds.). 1993. International Roundup: A Special Issue of Child and Youth Care Forum 22(2).
- BEKER, J., and MAGNUSON, D. 1993. Residential Education for At-Risk Youth: Learning from the Israeli Experience (Tentatively accepted for publication).
- FEUERSTEIN, R., and BEKER., J. In press. Shaping Modifying Environments. In R. Sternberg (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Intelligence.
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Progress 01/01/92 to 12/30/92
Outputs
Cross-national comparative study of residential group care environments for children and youth continued, with emphasis on the living group and the roles of associated direct care personnel. The following variables have emerged as key hypothetical determinants of program success: (1) the "powerful environment" (Martin Wolins), composed of positive expectations on the part of staff, permanence of commitment to the young people in care, social integration within a community (normalization), respect for peer group impact, socially constructive work (or service) included, and the presence of an overarching ideology; (2) the "modifying environment" (Jerome Beker and Reuven Feuerstein), composed of strong expectations of success, commitment to the overriding importance of program objectives, appropriate use of resources (time, space, technology, people, including the young people themselves), and individualized process or "sculpting" of the environment to meet individual
needs; and (3) others, including cultural and subcultural characteristics, national identity factors, social role expectations for young adults, family (including substitute family) factors, and the role of charismatic leadership. Assessment of these variables in "exemplary programs" will follow.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BEKER, J. 1992. Are We Selling Ourselves Short. Child and Youth Care Forum, 21:3-5.
- BEKER, J. 1992. "Bring Back the Orphanage". Child and Youth Care Forum, 21:143-145.
- BEKER, J. 1992. "Does Institutional Care of Children Do More Harm than Good.": CON. In Gambrill, E., & Stein, T. J. (Eds.), Controversial Issues in Child Welfare. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. in-press.
- BEKER, J. 1992. "Does Institutional Care of Children Do More Harm than Good.": Response to PRO Statement. In Gambrill, E., & Stein, T. J. (Eds.), Controversial Issues in Child Welfare. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. in-press.
- BEKER, J. 1992. On the Other Hand. Child and Youth Care Forum 21:217-219.
- BEKER, J. 1992. Power Corrupts. Child and Youth Care Forum 21:71-73.
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Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91
Outputs
Writing and publication based on earlier work on residential and other group care options for troubled children and youth continued in 1991, as listed below. Emphasis continued to be on the concept of the modifying environment as a way of organizing group care programs to enhance normal develomental processes (in contrast to traditional "custodial," "correctional," and "treatment" models), and on the culturally appropriate application of European and Israeli models that appear to be sucessful. In the latter context, an intensive study was made of experience with participants in the International Learning Exchange for Professional Youthworkers (ILEX), a program that brings European residential care professionals to the United States for a year of demonstration practice in American group care settings. (Report in preparation.) Projected for 1992 are revised, updated editions of two books on group care, and work on a new book, "Shaping Modifying Environments," is to
begin, along with a comparative study of environments in group care settings.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- EISIKOVITS, Z., BEKER, J. and GUTTMAN, E. 1991. The Known and the Used in Residential Child Care Work. In Beker and Eisikovits, above.
- BEKER, J. 1991. Institutional Abuse: The Tip of the Iceberg Child and Youth Care Forum. 20(6). (In press.).
- BEKER, J. and EISIKOVITS, Z. (Eds.). 1991. Knowledge Utilization in Residential Child and Youth Care Practice. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.
- BEKER, J. 1991. Back to the Future: Effective Residential Group Care and Treatment for Children and Youth and the Fritz Redl Legacy. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth 8(4): 57-71.
- BEKER, J. and FEUERSTEIN, R. 1991. The Modifying Environment and Other Perspectives in Group Care: A conceptual Contrast and Integration. Resid. Treatment for Children and Youth 8(3): 57-71.
- BEKER, J. and FEUERSTEIN, R. 1991. Toward a Common Denominator in Effective Group Care Programming: The Concept of the Modifying Environment. Journal of Child and Youth Care Work. 7(1): 20-34.
- DURKIN, R., BEKER, J. and FEUERSTEIN, R. 1991. Can Environments Modify and Enhance the Devel. of Personality and Behavior : Toward an Understanding of the Influence of the Modifying Env. in Group Care Settings. Center for Youth Devel.
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Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90
Outputs
In 1990, renewed interest in residential group care options for troubled children and youth has been evident among concerned professionals, policy makers, and the public. This is largely a result of greatly increased numbers of abandoned or otherwise homeless young people, children actually or in effect orphaned by parental drug abuse, the reputedly unreachable crack babies (now beginning to grow up), and the like, together with declining numbers of foster parents, growing concern with abuse of children in foster care, etc. In view of the importance of assuring that such programs are initiated using effective models rather than recreating the inadequate and often abusive ones that led to such a negative reaction in recent decades, the project has focused its attention on this issue in several ways. First, the development of concepts from abroad for application here has been accelerated, and expanded to encompass European approaches as well as those from Israel. Second,
the roots of residential group care in the United States have been examined in an effort to ascertain where and why the early promise of these approaches was largely lost as most programs became routinized and bureaucratized in the past few decades. Each of these two explorations has led to a publication, one in print and one in press, listed below.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BEKER, J. and EISIKOVITS, A. (Eds.). In press. Knowledge Utilization in Residential Child and Youth Care Practice. Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.
- BEKER, J. In press. Back to the Future: Effective Residential Group Care and Treatment for Children and Youth and the Fritz Redl Legacy. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth.
- BEKER, J., and BARNES, F.H. 1990. The Educateur Returns to America: Approaching the Development of Professional Child and Youth Care Cross-culturally through ILEX. Child and Youth Care Quarterly 19(3): 161-175.
- BEKER, J. and FEUERSTEIN, R. 1990. Conceptual Foundations of the Modifying Environment in Group Care and Treatment Settings. Journal of Child and Youth Care 4(5): 23-33.
- ARIELI, M., BEKER, J., and KASHTI, Y. 1990. Residential Group Care as a Socializing Environment: Toward a Broader Perspective. Child and Youth Services 13(1): 45-58.
- BEKER, J. 1990. Writing for Publication: If So, Why. If Not Now, When. Journal of Child and Youth Care Work 6:56-61.
- BEKER, J. 1990. Editorial: A Cross-National Perspective on Group Care. Child and Youth Care Quarterly 19:3-5.
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Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89
Outputs
During the period covered by this report, the work was begun in Israel while theinvestigator was there on leave. It has since been continued and expanded for application to group care settings in the United States. As had been anticipated from earlier work, it was found that the quality of Israeli programs in this field tends to be above that of many of ours, so they provided a useful laboratory, although ther appears to have been some diminution of their effectiveness in recent years. A major expansion of the conceptual basis of the work involves the explicit incorporation of cognitive development as a key variable in the planned research program, in accordance with the view that cognitive deficits (which are amenable to change) often play a greater role than emotional ones (which are seemingly more intractable) in the problems of young people in group care. The concept of the "modifying environment," a more specific counterpart to Wolins' powerful environment, was
developed and delineated in several articles, a process that is continuing with the specification of key hypothetical component variables and how they might best be assessed. Attention is being given to the complementarity of personality and social structure in determining the impact of the environment on individual behavior and development.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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