Toward Ecologically Based Intervention in Residential Treatment for Children

Residential treatment for emotionally disturbed children adopted an ecologically based approach to services during this century. A critical examination reveals that the specific implications of the ecological model for residential treatment have not been clearly identified and that the model is unevenly applied. Consequently, some children and families are not receiving the full benefit of ecologically modeled services. This article defines areas of residential treatment that must be revised and suggests strategies for implementing the ecological model throughout residential services.