Skip to main content

Improving client outcomes: The Kansas technical assistance consultation project

Community Mental Health Journal volume 27, pages 327–336 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

A central problem in the design and implementation of mental health services is how to transfer relevant information to the active practitioner. Traditional methods of knowledge transfer, such as professional journals and workshops. appear to have uneven results at best. Outreach consultation services, here described as technical assistance, holds promise as an effective and efficient vehicle for transferring relevant knowledge necessary to improve professional practice.

This report describes the technical assistance consultation project jointly sponsored by the University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare and the Kansas State Department of Mental Health and Retardation. It is argued that an important function of this project was symbolic as well as substantive. State departments of mental health and major public universities can work in consort to assist professionals and programs perform at a maximum level. Such an effort re-casts the manner in which these institutions are traditionally viewed by those engaged in direct practice.A case example is provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (Canada)

References

  • Chamberlain, R. & Rapp, C.A. (1989)A decade of case management: A methodological review of outcome research. Philadelphia: Pew Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farkas, M.D., Cohen, M.R. & Nemec, P.B. (1988) Psychiatric rehabilitation programs: Putting concepts into practice.Community Mental Health Journal 24(1) 7–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, E. (1981) Durability of innovations in human service organizations.Knowledge: Creation, Diffusion, Utilization, 3(2), 167–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huberman, H. (1987).Steps toward an integrated model of research utilization.Knowledge: Creation, Discussion, Utilization, 4(4), 586–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latham, G. & Yukl, G. (1975). A review of the research on the application of goal setting in organizations.Academy of Management Journal, 18(4), 824–844.

    Google Scholar 

  • Locke, E., Shaw, K., Saari, L.,& Latham, G. (1981) Goal setting and task performance: 1969–1980.Psychological Bulletin, 90(1), 125–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Modrcin, M., Rapp, C. & Chamberlain, R. (1985)Case management with psychiatrically disabled individuals: Curriculum and training program. Lawrence, Kansas: The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapp, C., & Chamberlain, R. (1985) Case management services of the chronically mentally ill.Social Work, 30(5), 417–422.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapp, C., Gowdy, E., Sullivan, W.P., & Wintersteen, R. (1988). Client outcome reporting: The status method.Community Mental Health Journal, 24(2) 118–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapp, C., & Poertner, J. (1987) Moving clients center stage through the use of client outcomes.Administration in Social Work, 11(3/4), 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapp, C. & Wintersteen, R. (1989) The strengths model of case management: Results from twelve demonstrations,Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 13(1)

  • Schmuck, R. (1983). System-process mental health models. In S. Cooper & W. Hodges (Eds.),The mental health consultation field. New York: The Human Sciences Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Seekins, T., & Fawcett, S. (1984) Planned diffusion of social technologies for community groups. In Paine, Bellamy & Wilcox (eds.)Human services that work. Baltimore: Brooks Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, R. (1987). An experimental investigation of the action research approach.The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 23(2), 185–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, W.P. (1989)Technical Assistance Consultation: A New Model for Social Work Practice Ph.D. Dissertation Lawrence, Kansas: University of Kansas

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, W.P. (1990). Technical assistance with community support programs in rural areas.Human Services in the Rural Environment.

  • Sullivan, W.P. (in press, expected July, 1991) Social work technical assistance in community mental health: A grounded theory approach.Research on Social Work Practice.

  • Weick, A., Rapp, C., Sullivan, W.P., & Kisthardt, W. (1989) A strengths perspective for social work practice.Social Work, 34(4) 350–354.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of S.A.S., Southwest Missouri State University, 901S. National, 65804, Springfield, MO

    William Patrick Sullivan Ph.D.

  2. University of Kansas, Kansas, USA

    Charles A. Rapp Ph.D.

Authors
  1. William Patrick Sullivan Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Charles A. Rapp Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sullivan, W.P., Rapp, C.A. Improving client outcomes: The Kansas technical assistance consultation project. Community Ment Health J 27, 327–336 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00752383

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00752383

Keywords

  • Mental Health
  • State Department
  • Mental Health Service
  • Social Welfare
  • Technical Assistance