The changing role of residential intervention.

The role of therapeutic residential care (TRC) is changing. In fact, this article reframes the terminology of TRC and uses “residential interventions” to more accurately reflect that residential programs provide time-limited “intervention” and treatment efforts must connect and extend to families and communities. Such changes are being compelled by necessity and innovation. Necessity is demanding evidence, data, and durable positive outcomes for this expensive intervention. Innovation is transforming basic service delivery through meaningful inclusion of youth and families and effective collaboration with community-based organizations. Service elements that confound this changing role are being reconsidered, including reductions in length of stay, a focus on long-term permanency, and the location of the actual intervention from program-centric practice to interventions in the home and community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]