Facilitating the Transition from Residential Treatment into the Community: II. Changing Social Work Roles

This is the second in a series of articles focusing upon the transition from residential treatment into the community. Among the most important shifts in residential practices that must be made if adolescents are to handle their transition back to the community more effectively are those related to work on family issues. This article examines ways in which social workers can contribute to changing attitudes that orient treatment to enable the residential team to deal with these issues more effectively. It also discusses ways of expanding the role of social workers in providing liaison between the team and the family, diagnosis, treatment, and consultation to other staff members.