Summary
Directs a study of abuse and neglect in youth residential programs to find ways to improve oversight, care, and safety for children living in these facilities.
What problem does this solve?
Children in residential care programs sometimes face abuse and neglect, but there is not enough information to fully understand or solve the problem. This law orders a national study to gather data and make recommendations to better protect these children and improve their care.
Who does this affect?
- Children and youth in residential programs
- Operators and staff of youth residential programs
- Parents and guardians of at-risk youth
What does this law do?
Mandates a national study on youth residential programs
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the National Academies to study child abuse, neglect, and deaths in youth residential programs.
Identifies the scope of abuse
The study must identify the nature, prevalence, severity, and scope of child abuse, neglect, and deaths in these programs, including the causes.
Recommends improved oversight and data collection
The study will provide recommendations for better oversight of programs that receive federal funding and for coordinating data collection among agencies.
Recommends alternatives to residential programs
The study will make recommendations to improve and develop community-based alternatives to sending youth to residential programs.
Focuses on reducing restraints
The study will recommend best practices to eliminate the use of physical, mechanical, and chemical restraints and seclusion in these facilities.
What is the real world impact?
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Gathers necessary information to create effective protections
Creates a foundation for future laws by first collecting detailed information about abuse, funding, and oversight in youth residential programs. This ensures that any new rules are based on solid evidence.
When does this start?
This law sets several deadlines related to a study on youth residential programs.
Contract for study
The Secretary of Health and Human Services must seek to enter into a contract for the study within 45 days of the law's enactment.
First report issued
The National Academies must issue the first report from the study no later than 3 years after the law is enacted.