NCJ Number
137480
Date Published
1986
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This volume explains the philosophy and operation of the Family Home Program at Father Flanagan Boys' Home, popularly known as Boys Town, which was founded in 1917 in Nebraska to provide residential services to abused, neglected, abandoned, and otherwise troubled children and youth.
Abstract
The program serves youth of both sexes. Admission occurs after a careful review of each child's situation and a determination that the problems are so serious that the youth needs to be removed from the home community. Each Boys Town home is staffed by two full-time family teachers, a specially trained married couple who live in the home with up to nine youths, and a full-time assistant family teacher. They work with each child in the home environment and with the parents, teachers, social service agencies, and religious institutions involved with the youths. The program operates on the philosophy that responsibility, authority, and accountability are central to youth development. Treatment components include teaching, relationship development, self-government, the motivation system, and organization. Most of the youths have academic and behavior problems and require intensive, individualized educational services. An extensive evaluation system is used to assess the quality of home life and services provided by the 63 Boys Town couples each year.