CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL-DISORDERS IN COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PREVENT PLACEMENT IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

The present study examines a wide range of demographic, family, commun ity, educational, and other risk and problem characteristics of Illino is children and adolescents admitted to programs designed to prevent t he need for residential placements. These programs were designed to de liver education and treatment in a number of ways while emphasizing fa mily-centered, multiagency, and community-based principles of care. Th e children and adolescents in these programs manifested a wide range o f serious emotional and behavioral problems and had extensive historie s of treatment of various kinds. Many had experienced numerous unfortu nate life stressors that probably will complicate treatment. Some resu lts of the present study are similar to those of other surveys of chil dren with emotional and behavioral disorders, whereas other results ma y be unique. Implications of key results are noted.