COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF YOUTH

VISION:

The members of CAFETY envision the day that no young person is harmed in the name of treatment and when youth are empowered to be equal partners in their own care.

VALUES:

We, as CAFETY members have been moved to act by our having suffered egregious human rights violations in residential placement. Others in this community alliance have come to know the suffering of those who have been confined in such programs and are moved to act as well.

1. As individuals who have been placed in some type of residential setting as youth, we acknowledge that present policies to address the needs of youth struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges are inadequate in both scope and reach.

2. We advocate for measures that would effectively help youth and families remain together and find treatment in their community.

3. We recognize that some youth are inappropriately institutionalized and seek to prevent this type of institutionalization and segregation from the community.

4. We also believe that, in the event youth are placed in an out-of-home setting appropriately, the basic human rights of youth must be protected by the state.

5. Appropriate care includes protection from harm, and access to treatment that is transparent, collaborative, and non-coercive. It also means holding providers accountable for the outcomes of the treatment that they provide.