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Inter-Organizational Collaboration in the Implementation of Evidence-based Practices Among Public Agencies Serving Abused and Neglected Youth

Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research volume 41, pages 74–85 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

This study examined the role of inter-organizational collaboration in implementing new evidence-based practices for addressing problem behaviors in at-risk youth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 systems leaders of probation, mental health, and child welfare departments of 12 California counties participating in a large randomized controlled trial to scale-up the use of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care. Three sets of collaboration characteristics were identified: (1) characteristics of collaboration process, (2) characteristics of the external environment, and (3) characteristics of participating organizations and individuals. Inter-organizational collaboration enables an exchange of information and advice and a pooling of resources individual agencies may require for successful implementation.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this research was provided by the William T. Grant Foundation [Grant ID# 9493] and, for the parent grant, NIMH RO1MH07658 and DHHS Childrens’Bureau. The sponsors did not have a role or influence in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, writing of the report, and the decision to submit the article for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0411, USA

    Lawrence A. Palinkas, Dahlia Fuentes & Megan Finno

  2. Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3020 Children’s Way, MC 5033, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA

    Antonio R. Garcia

  3. School of Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Antonio R. Garcia

  4. Center for Research to Practice, 12 Shelton McMurphey Blvd, Eugene, OR, 97401, USA

    Patricia Chamberlain

  5. Department of Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Ian W. Holloway

Authors
  1. Lawrence A. Palinkas
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  2. Dahlia Fuentes
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  4. Antonio R. Garcia
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  5. Ian W. Holloway
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  6. Patricia Chamberlain
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Correspondence to Lawrence A. Palinkas.

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Palinkas, L.A., Fuentes, D., Finno, M. et al. Inter-Organizational Collaboration in the Implementation of Evidence-based Practices Among Public Agencies Serving Abused and Neglected Youth. Adm Policy Ment Health 41, 74–85 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-012-0437-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-012-0437-5

Keywords

  • Mental health services
  • Child welfare
  • Juvenile justice
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Implementation
  • Collaboration