Challenges in moving from a traditional therapeutic community to a women and children's TC model

With the advent of specialized programs for addicted women and their children, some of the traditional methods used by therapeutic communities have been undergoing significant changes. This article examines the issues that are important for treatment providers to consider as they move from individual client and community orientation to a mother-child/family-centered and community approach. The major adaptations suggested are divided into three categories: structural design issues, including living arrangements and models of childcare; treatment issues, including acting-out behavior by the children; and staff and training issues, including staff composition.