This study was initiated by the desire to do a piece of research which would not only be a useful experience for us as social work graduate students, but also would be meeting the needs of an ,agency in the local community. In exploring the opportunities available to us, we found that the three of us were all employed by the Louise Home for Girls in Portland. In addition we each had a concern for the quality of treatment being provided by the Home. Therefore, we approached the administration of the Louise Home to see if they would be interested in our doing a research project involving the agency.