Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
William Vales
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
abuse, adolescents, behavior development, behavior intervention, behavior management, change management, child welfare, direct care workers, neglect, out-of-home care, resident behavior, residential child care, social-service staff, staff development, staff training, training curriculum, vision development
Abstract
This applied dissertation was written to study the use and effectiveness of behavioral intervention in residential child care facilities, serving adolescents from backgrounds of abuse and neglect. Direct care workers in these out-of-home settings have experienced significant difficulties in managing negative behaviors exhibited by adolescents in care. It was found that direct-care workers were insufficiently trained and lacked understanding in resident behavior, leading to frustration and failure in providing appropriate and effective behavior interventions.
The writer developed a training curriculum to instruct direct-care and social-service staff in multiple methods of management and intervention in negative, unproductive behaviors. Understanding behavior development, the importance of resident background, and a variety of intervention techniques were targeted in training sessions. A strategy of creating unity through the development of vision and the embracing of change were also implemented. Staff members were also trained to search for information and resources on their own in order to enhance their knowledge and skill.
An analysis of the data collected through this project indicated that staff participating in the training curriculum, increased their knowledge of behavior management and intervention. These staff also demonstrated, at the close of the project, their ability to effectively work with adolescents in their care. The writer also discusses the need to continue efforts that will ultimately lead to long-term success.