Actually, using Choice Theory is the exact right thing to do. We are seeing tremendous growth in our children even without all of the family features we once had. Choice Theory is not a program, it is a way of life. Our people have training in the use of our program, and we are creating a very strong training program in not only the presentation of The Five Needs, The Four Parts of Behavior, The Quality World, how to use the What Questions, but also in the fine tuning it will take for staff to know how to use what they have learned every day as they work with the children.
Today I was visiting group homes, and I witnessed a young elementary age child sitting with 10 adults in a formal meeting that presented his needs, progress, and plans. He was able to sit and discuss, (as best as an 9 year old can) his needs and wants. At one point he got up, went to a staff, sat back down, put his arm through the staff's arm, and continued on. This tells me he was comfortable enough with all those adults talking about his life, to participate and even find reassurance in that group of adults. All that, with no family.
In one of the other group homes a huge team of adults, some from other agencies, again working with a child who was able to sit and talk with adults, not fall apart when her problems were mentioned, advocate for herself and help make plans for her recovery and future. Although she has not been with us very long, she had developed trust among the adults, and a sense of what corrections she needs to make to improve her own life.
All of this is being accomplished using Choice Theory, building rapport without parents, and building that "Safe, Caring Environment" that Dr. Glasser taught us. The future looks bright.