@article{ref1,
title="Child psychiatry takes to the streets: A developmental partnership between a university institute and children and adolescents from the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil",
journal="Child abuse and neglect",
year="2011",
author="Scivoletto, Sandra and da Silva, Thiago Fernando and Rosenheck, Robert Alan",
volume="35",
number="2",
pages="89-95",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: High levels of domestic violence, mental illness, and alienation from authorities are associated with high incidence of children/adolescents living on the streets in low and middle income countries. The Equilibrium Project (Programa Equilíbrio) was created to facilitate social reintegration through a virtual partnership between an academic psychiatric institute and highly vulnerable children and adolescents living on the streets, in group shelter with supervision, and in other high risk situations. METHODS: Descriptive presentation of qualitative data and analysis of preliminary empirical data collected over a 24-month period. RESULTS: Dialogue between academic professionals, street children, and city officials shaped The Equilibrium Project over the last 2 years. The program has progressively moved from a professional clinic setting to a community-based but protected activity center with recreational and professional services and an emphasis on linkage with social service agencies, city government and law enforcement officials in an academic research context. A total of 351 patients have been served of whom virtually all were neglected by their parents, 58.4% report physical or sexual abuse, 88.89% have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, 40.4% drug use. After 2 years of operation, 63.5% (n=223) successfully completed or continue in treatment and 34.8% (n=122) were reunited with their families. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Program development guided by consumer input led to a successful program offering professional services in a protected community setting that facilitates social reintegration by providing &quot;go between&quot; services integrating relationships between alienated consumers and formal psychiatric, pediatric, social service, and criminal justice systems.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0145-2134",
doi="10.1016/j.chiabu.2010.11.003",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2010.11.003"
}