Effectiveness of day treatment with proctor care for young children: A four‐year follow‐up

This study evaluated the immediate and long-term outcomes of a day treatment and proctor care model for preschool-aged children. Seventy-seven boys and 52 girls completed the program which combined day treatment, case management, individual and family therapy. Also, 60% of these clients were placed in proctor care homes which are short-term family placements providing in-home treatment. Results showed there was increased stabilization in family placements, with 67% of participants still living in a permanent family placement at the 4-year follow-up. Also, 69% of participants transitioned to a less-restrictive academic placement and remained in regular classroom placements at follow-up. Participants showed significant behavioral improvement at discharge and follow-up on the Child Behavior Checklist. Participants also showed significant developmental improvement on the Battelle Developmental Inventory and the Expressive One Word Vocabulary Test. The results suggest that this treatment modality is effective in maintaining these children in the community and in producing positive long-term outcomes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 459–468, 2003.