title: Non-health professionals and the school-age child: early intervention for behavioral problems.
abstract: A methodology is described to utilize dormitory parents in direct care activities for the early intervention of behavioral problems of the school-age child. Specific information gathering, assessment, treatment, referral and follow-up tasks were defined and incorporated into a problem-solving protocol which served to guide the dormitory parents through the defined problem-solving process, to promote early identification of students with a behavioral problem, and to expedite referral to a professional for students with more severe problems. The methodology was pilot-tested in a large American Indian boarding school and demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of dormitory parents in a therapeutic role as one component of a team approach to the management of behavioral problems. The pilot study resulted in a significant reduction in the rates of alcohol abuse and school dropouts and deserves application in a variety of settings.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001130:Arizona; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012112:Residential Facilities; D013332:Student Dropouts; D000078329:Workforce