Residential treatment centers exist world-wide with a purpose of treating people of all ages for a wide variety of problems. Programs evolved from orphanages, hospitalization, and incarceration alternatives; legislation and needs have shaped their development. Residential treatment facilities have specific goals and many receive their benefit; policy changes are needed to increase percentages of recipients. Funding, administration, and outcomes influence issues of debate for future regulation (Stein, 1995).
Mental health care accounts for a full ten percent of total national health care costs; it costs business over $400 per employee each year. Escalating mental health care costs requires the shift to community residence treatment care. Residential treatment is needed for mentally retarded persons, ex-offenders, substance abusers, children, adolescents, and mentally ill adults (Budson, 1994; Stein, 1995; Wahl, 1993).
Currently there is a movement to change treatment of the severely mentally ill from hospitals to the community, in group home settings. It has been found that long years of continuous hospitalization is damaging to patients and treatment needs to be in a less restrictive, community-based treatment setting. The cost of hospital care is extensive; it is expected that community-based alternatives are more economical (Wahl, 1993).
The reality of community-based treatment has not resulted in adequate care. These treatment programs are scarce and waiting lists are long; the service delivery system is fragmented and many people fall between the cracks. Community care of those leaving psychiatric hospitals has not been successful since affordable housing is lacking. The cost of homes has escalated in recent years and the supply is diminishing. The solution appears to lie in residential treatment settings; group homes for the mentally ill individual would provide those who leave hospitals, a place to reside...