Our Programs
Definition of a Group Home
“Group homes provide the most restrictive out-of-home placement option for children in foster care. They provide a placement option for children with significant emotional or behavioral problems who require more restrictive environments. The licensed group home is defined as a facility of any capacity which provides 24-hour non-medical care and supervision to children in a structured environment, with such services provided at least in part by staff employed by the licensee. Group homes run the gamut from large institutional type environments which provide an intense therapeutic setting, often called "residential treatment centers," to small home environments which incorporate a "house parent" model. As a result, group home placements provide various levels of structure, supervision and services.”
Role of CASAs in Group Homes
CASAs work in the group home setting by developing a plan that addresses the youth’s specific barriers to successful emancipation, especially educational barriers. As a result of these services, youth will achieve more positive outcomes before and after leaving foster care, particularly in terms of HS diploma/GED, college entry and access to educational support. CASAs also strive to improve the responsiveness of group home administrators and their staff to the needs of the youth living there, and increase the capacity of group homes’ staff to provide support and assistance to youth in a range of critical areas.
Youth in group homes face a number of challenges, including: frequent placement changes, adjusting to new rules in each new placement, multiple school placements, lack of privacy, limited individual outings, peer conflict, lack of consistency, and high staff turnover. The high level of staff turnover at the homes leads to further instability and lack of continuity in services and relationships. CASAs address these challenges by assisting youth in maintaining their placement, addressing youth concerns with the directors and managers, and being a consistent and positive role model in the youth’s life.
Youth living in group homes are at a critical stage in their lives. As they move towards emancipation, they must become prepared to make this transition into adulthood—by securing a high school diploma or GED, gaining employment or training, obtaining housing, and addressing a wide range of barriers that can put them at risk of negative outcomes. Advocates address these barriers by helping them with the completion of college or vocational school applications, obtaining employment and housing, identifying permanent adult connections for the youth, etc.
For more information about the Group Homes Program, please read the Group Homes Report .