Unlicensed residential programs: the next challenge in protecting youth

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Residential Treatment Centers
• Healthcare Regulation

Background:

• Exponential growth in US private residential youth facilities over the past decade.
• Many facilities lack state mental health licensing or national accreditation.
• Formation of the Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate use of Residential Treatment (A START) due to mistreatment concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize A START's findings on unregulated residential facilities for youth.
• To detail common program features, marketing, and transportation methods.
• To document the range of mistreatment and abuse experienced by youth and families.

Main Methods:

• Review of information gathered by A START.
• Analysis of common program characteristics and marketing strategies.
• Documentation of reported mistreatment, neglect, and rights violations.

Main Results:

• Unregulated facilities exhibit concerning features and marketing tactics.
• Youth and families report harsh discipline, inappropriate seclusion/restraint, neglect, and rights violations.
• Significant deficiencies exist in licensing, regulation, and accreditation mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Urgent need for improved oversight of residential youth programs.
• Policy implications and recommendations for protecting youth in residential treatment.
• Highlighting the critical lack of regulatory safeguards in many facilities.