Toward a Theory of Permanent Environmental Reassignment for Residential Childcare: A Comprehensive Research Agenda for the 21st Century

Historically there have been two residential childcare institutions in Armenia: orphanages and special boarding schools. The children housed these facilities are either natural orphans (i.e., who no living family or whose biological parents had their familial rights terminated) social with unable unwilling to care for them but not terminated). In recent years, Armenia’s “transitional centers” offered a alternative older teenage girls outgrown the traditional orphanage yet ready independent living. While institutionalization has historically castigated as contrary child’s best interests, our previous research suggests that (RCF) provide vulnerable safe haven during times of crisis, loving environment through intimate relationships staff peers, emotional stability formative an improved standard living, superior opportunities upon reaching age majority. These transitional centers, invaluable continuum care, suggest permanent environmental reassignment is ideal path when surrendered expropriated.