Staff perceptions and experiences in residential treatment centers

Exacerbated by understaffing, poor worker performance, a decrease in available and qualified residential workers, and the increase in the number of minors requiring residential care, a care gap has developed for children and youths in residential treatment centers (RTCs). The researcher recorded and transcribed interviews with 20 direct care staff and administrators in two RTCs. Using a phenomenological approach and the qualitative data analysis software HyperResearch, the researcher determined that workers interviewed for this study fully accept their roles in an RTC. Concluding interviews enhanced the understanding of workers' experiences, the researcher identifies a suggestive model for future research to aid in further understanding the roles, the experiences, the demands, and the perceptions of staff.