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Research Challenges: Implementing Standardized Outcome Measures in a Decentralized, Community-based Residential Treatment Program

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Abstract

With residential treatment services under pressure to produce outcome data, the process of executing research in such settings presents considerable challenges. This paper describes how a large, decentralized, community-based residential treatment program in southern and central Maine designed and implemented a research outcome process study using standardized measures on a variety of dimensions. The study’s rationale, process, challenges and findings are presented. Results indicated that the challenges to this work were minimized due to careful planning and collaboration by and with administration and treatment staff. Unique to this work was the process where a formal research approach was used in the context of a private, geographically diverse organization.

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Correspondence to Linda S. Butler.

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Butler, L.S., Little, L. & Grimard, A.R. Research Challenges: Implementing Standardized Outcome Measures in a Decentralized, Community-based Residential Treatment Program. Child Youth Care Forum 38, 75–90 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9065-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-009-9065-y

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