Christopher G. Petr

A Template for Family-Centered Interagency Collaboration

In this paper, it is asserted that successful interagency collaborations require commitment to a shared value base as the core dimension of the joint efforts. A rationale framework that places family-centered principles at the core is provided, and how these principles translate into specific behaviors, attitudes, and policies on all levels within and between organizations is outlined. This template can provide guidance to local and state policy makers involved in reforming systems of care.

Family-Centered Residential Treatment: Knowledge, Research, and Values Converge

SUMMARY Although the evidence base for the effectiveness of residential treatment is still very limited, a review of the literature reveals family-centered residential care as an emerging best practice. Synthesizing knowledge from research, families, youth, professionals, as well as values put forth in the standards by accrediting organizations, this article shows a convergence of views that supports a shift toward family-centered residential care. Existing examples of family-centered initiatives and programs are provided, and key components for family-centered residential care are outlined.

Consumer Satisfaction with Children's Mental Health Services

Consumer satisfaction with childrens mental health services was assessed via a statewide survey. All families of children receiving case management services from community mental health centers in Kansas were eligible to participate. Youth ages 12 and older who were receiving case management were also surveyed. The sample consisted of 963 parents and 331 youth. Results are presented in the form of descriptive statistics that report satisfaction with specific practices and services, as well as overall satisfaction. Also, analyses were performed to explore how overall client satisfaction is related to demographic variables and to satisfaction with specific agency practices. Implications for training and administrative procedures are discussed.

Lessons from the research on paraprofessionals for attendant care in children's mental health.

This article summarizes literature about paraprofessionals who assist children or families in the areas of mental health, education, or early childhood education, and focuses on three main questions: How effective are paraprofessionals?; what are the common and appropriate roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals?; and what qualifications, training, and supervision are needed for paraprofessionals? Implications are inferred for a burgeoning new form of paraprofessional services: attendant care in community based mental health services for children. Lessons from existing literature can help mental health administrators and clinical supervisors at state and local levels to select, train, supervise, and evaluate attendant care workers.

Evidence-based practice: a critical reflection

This article employs the process of critical reflection to uncover and challenge the hegemonic assumptions of evidence-based practice (EBP). The critical reflection process results in a re-conceptualisation of best practices that, while still honouring empirical research, is less hierarchical and more inclusive of a broad spectrum of interests than traditional EBP. Multidimensional Evidence-Based Practice (MEBP) validates consumer wisdom, professional experience, and qualitative research as equal partners to quantitative research in determining current state-of-the art best practices. Furthermore, MEBP incorporates a value-critical analysis of those best practices that can lead to improvements and innovations, so that ‘best practices’ becomes a dynamic rather than a static construct.

The Worker–Client Relationship: A General Systems Perspective

The worker–client relationship is examined from two distinct general systems perspectives. The author contends that the social work profession has adopted the more traditional of these perspectives, resulting in a skewed conceptualization of the appropriate role of the worker vis-à-vis the client.

Adultcentrism in Practice with Children

Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services. Copyright 1992 Families International, Inc.

Quality Guidelines for Social Work PhD Programs

The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Educationin Social Work (GADE) adopted a new version of quality guidelines for PhD social work programs at its annual meeting in April 2013. These guidelines are reprinted in this article, together with a discussion of the context in which they were developed and approved. They are offered with the aim of advancing excellence in research-focused doctoral education and continuing the decades-long conversation about what constitutes excellence in those programs.

Foster Care Independent Living Services: Youth Perspectives

Emerging adulthood is a phase in the life course recently identified by developmental theorists. For youth in foster care, recent federal legislation in the United States has engendered new programs, typically called independent living programs, to help them become successful adults. This qualitative study reports the findings of interviews with a diverse sample of 27 current and former foster youths in a Midwestern state, focusing on the quantity and quality of independent living services received. The youths reported hopeful expectations and plans for their futures, widespread support for postcustody benefit programs, mixed opinions about the utilization and effectiveness of existing independent living programs, significant educational delays associated with frequent placements while in out-of-home custody, and strong attachments to families of origin.

Crises That Threaten Out-of-Home Placement of Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

This is the publishers version. It can also be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.1350. Copyright 1994 Families International, Inc.