TY - JOUR

T1 - Institution-based early intervention program

AU - Muhamedrahimov, RJ

AU - Palmov, OI

AU - Nikiforova, NV

AU - Groark, CJ

AU - McCall, RB

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - This article details an early intervention program in orphanages in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. The program is based upon the analysis of the orphanage system and statistical data on children, personnel, and their interaction. The results of observations conducted before the intervention showed crucial deficits of the caregiving staff with respect to their stability and consistency, as well as responsiveness and emotional availability. Instead, the caregivers focus attention on medical care, education, and daily routine caretaking. This article outlines the guiding principles for the institution-wide early intervention program, with the aim for each child having an early experience of ongoing interaction with his/her own close and emotionally available adults. The outlined program guiding principles were supported by a St. Petersburg, Russian Federation-Pittsburgh, USA joint project with two main interventions: training of caregivers and structural changes in the orphanage to promote family-like conditions for children. An overview of the training intervention is described in a parallel article (Groark, Muhamedrahimov, Nikiforova, Palmov, & McCall, in press). The structural changes intervention was aimed at improving stability and consistency of caregivers and creating a more family-like environment that would support relationship building. Specifically, it consisted of smaller group sizes, integration by age and disability status, primary caregivers who were present every day, Family Hour, pullout groups, and team-like staff organization. Observations and early data analysis show the effective implementation of the structural changes intervention, an increase in the consistency and stability of caregivers, and changes in children and caregivers.

AB - This article details an early intervention program in orphanages in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. The program is based upon the analysis of the orphanage system and statistical data on children, personnel, and their interaction. The results of observations conducted before the intervention showed crucial deficits of the caregiving staff with respect to their stability and consistency, as well as responsiveness and emotional availability. Instead, the caregivers focus attention on medical care, education, and daily routine caretaking. This article outlines the guiding principles for the institution-wide early intervention program, with the aim for each child having an early experience of ongoing interaction with his/her own close and emotionally available adults. The outlined program guiding principles were supported by a St. Petersburg, Russian Federation-Pittsburgh, USA joint project with two main interventions: training of caregivers and structural changes in the orphanage to promote family-like conditions for children. An overview of the training intervention is described in a parallel article (Groark, Muhamedrahimov, Nikiforova, Palmov, & McCall, in press). The structural changes intervention was aimed at improving stability and consistency of caregivers and creating a more family-like environment that would support relationship building. Specifically, it consisted of smaller group sizes, integration by age and disability status, primary caregivers who were present every day, Family Hour, pullout groups, and team-like staff organization. Observations and early data analysis show the effective implementation of the structural changes intervention, an increase in the consistency and stability of caregivers, and changes in children and caregivers.

KW - RESIDENTIAL GROUP CARE

KW - ROMANIAN ORPHANAGES

KW - ADOLESCENT MOTHERS

KW - 2-PARENT FAMILIES

KW - GREEK CHILDREN

KW - ATTACHMENT

KW - BEHAVIOR

U2 - 10.1002/imhj.20021

DO - 10.1002/imhj.20021

M3 - статья

VL - 25

SP - 488

EP - 501

JO - Infant Mental Health Journal

JF - Infant Mental Health Journal

SN - 0163-9641

IS - 5

Y2 - 16 July 2002 through 20 July 2002

ER -