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Eagerly awaiting a home: Severely emotionally disturbed youth lost in our systems of care—A personal reflection

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Abstract

This essay focuses upon severely emotionally disturbed youth without parents. Its purpose is to call attention to their need for a place in which to grow up and for long-term support. Consequences of our failure to provide both are delineated. Points made are illustrated through the lives of two young people drawn from a largescale study. Conclusions drawn focus upon the potential of group care to meet their needs and to model an environmentally-sound social system.

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The author thanks several colleagues and friends, Bob Beck, Paul Brinnich, Nancy Franklin, Michael Leach, Milton Shore, and Mario Tonti, for their helpful comments on earlier versions of this essay.

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Wells, K. Eagerly awaiting a home: Severely emotionally disturbed youth lost in our systems of care—A personal reflection. Child Youth Care Forum 20, 7–17 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760932

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