Abstract
The Comprehensive Services for Children and Their Families or System of Care (SOC) is the largest mental health project ever conducted by the US federal government. These programs are based on a value-driven framework that includes: child/youth centered and family driven practice, community-based practice, and culturally competent practice (Stroul and Friedman in A system of care for children and youth with severe emotional disturbances, Georgetown University Child Development Center, CASSP Technical Assistance Center, Washington, DC, 1986). The aim of this study is to determine the extent of the adoption of SOC values by families, system partners, providers and community organizations in a countywide SOC. Using a retrospective design, data was collected through a system-wide survey and focus groups, which asked respondents to rate the presence of SOC core values prior to and four years following its creation. Results suggest that system partners, provider staff, and families are aware of the changes that have occurred within the system as a result of the SOC.
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Notes
Initially the family and youth survey was posted online. As not all family members have access to e-mail, the BC-SCORES interviewers collected surveys when meeting with families and at BC-SCORES events, such as support groups and a picnic. At the meetings, youth were asked to complete the survey and were told that participation was voluntary.
Focus groups questions were developed by the evaluator for BC-SCORES.
Although youth were invited to participate in the focus groups, none attended.
Families consisted of parents or other family members.
Slightly less than half, 48.1 % of family and youth respondents were African American.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported in part by funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services Grant # 5U79SM057057 and the County of Beaver.
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Wald, H.P., Zubritsky, C.D. & Jaquette, N. Measuring System of Care Core Values in a Behavioral Health System of Care. Community Ment Health J 50, 275–280 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9639-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9639-x