The use of qualitative methods in systems of care research.

In an effort to understand the impact of qualitative methods on the field of children's mental health, a review of the proceedings of the University of South Florida's Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health (RTC) conferences from 1988 through 2003 was conducted. One hundred presentations published in the proceedings were identified as meeting criteria for inclusion as qualitative research. Data regarding title, topic, researchers, funders, methodology, and results were collected and reviewed across studies to identify patterns and themes.

Unlicensed residential programs: the next challenge in protecting youth.

Over the past decade in the United States, the number of private residential facilities for youth has grown exponentially, and many are neither licensed as mental health programs by states, nor accredited by respected national accrediting organizations. The Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate use of Residential Treatment (A START) is a multi-disciplinary group of mental health professionals and advocates that formed in response to rising concerns about reports from youth, families and journalists describing mistreatment in a number of the unregulated programs. This article summarizes the information gathered by A START regarding unregulated facilities.