Publications

Serving Everyone at the Table: Strategies for Enhancing the Availability of Culturally Competent Mental Health Services (2009)

Prince Inniss, J., Nesman, T., Mowery, D., Callejas, L.M., & Hernandez, M. (2009). Serving everyone at the table: Strategies for enhancing the availability of culturally competent mental health service (Making children’s mental health services successful series). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, College of Behavioral & Community Sciences, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary:

This monograph aims to increase awareness of the impact of culture on the availability of mental health services with the goal of improving services for culturally/racially diverse families in ways that reduce mental health disparities. The monograph is second in a series outlining successful strategies for increasing access, availability, and utilization of services at the organizational and direct service levels. Availability strategies were identified through interviews conducted with personnel from 12 organizations that met study criteria.

View a pdf | Contact Janis Prince Inniss for more information

Asset-Based Approaches for LGBTQI2-S Youth and Families in Systems of Care (2009)

Gamache, P., & Lazear, K. J. (2009). Asset-based approaches for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) youth and families in systems of care. (FMHI pub. no. 252). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary:

Families with a parent, child, or youth who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) or transitioning navigate varying levels of acceptance and support when accessing and utilizing needed services within the mental health system. A new monograph offers a public health approach for communities to meet the needs of these families.

View a pdf | Contact Kathy Lazear for more information

Examining the Relationship between Family-Run Organizations and Non-Family Organization Partners in Systems of Care (2008)

Lazear, K., & Anderson, R. (2008). Examining the relationship between family-run organizations and non-family organization partners in systems of care. (RTC Study 6: Family organizations and systems of care series, 244-3). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary:

This publication was produced by Study 6: Examining the Role of Family Organizations in Developing Family Voice in Systems of Care of the Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. This study investigates how family voice, as represented through family-run organizations, contributes to the context of the overall mental health system, and the implementation of an effective system of care.

View a pdf | Contact Katherine Lazear for more information

Evaluation Brief on the Status and Activities Related to Florida’s IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project: First 18 Months
(2008)

King-Miller, T., Armstrong, M.I., Sowell, C., Jordan, N., Sharrock, P., Vargo, A., & Yampolskaya, S. (2008). Evaluation brief 1—Evaluation brief on the status and activities related to Florida’s IV-E waiver demonstration project: First 18 months. (Florida’s IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project—Evaluation Brief Series, 250-1). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute.

Summary: The purpose of the IV-E Waiver evaluation is to determine the effectiveness of expanded child welfare services and supports in improving permanency and safety outcomes for children in or at risk of entering out-of-home placement.

View a pdf | Contact Amy Vargo for more information

Creating a Front Porch: Strategies for Improving Access to Mental Health Services (2008)

Callejas, L. M., Nesman, T., Mowery, D., & Hernandez, M. (2008). Creating a front porch: Strategies for improving access to mental health services (Making children’s mental health services successful series, FMHI pub. no. 240-3). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research & Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: This monograph shares results of interviews conducted with personnel from selected organizations and focuses on key practices that were reported to increase accessibility of mental health services for underserved populations. It includes a description of each of the target populations served by the participating study sites, as well as information about the history and context of, and general service delivery information for each organization.

View a pdf | Contact Nancy Burrus for more information

The Role of Mental Health Services in Promoting Safe and Secure Schools
(2008)

Summary: This guidebook is part of a series developed by the Hamilton Fish Institute on School and Community Violence and the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) to provide resources, tools, and guidance for creating safe school settings and involving the community in supporting students of all ages.

View a pdf | Contact Krista Kutash for more information

What Works: System Development Strategies Across Communities - System Implementation Issue Brief #5 (2008)

Ferreira, K., Hodges, S., Kukla-Acevedo, S., & Mazza, J. (2008). System implementation issue brief #5—What works: System development strategies across communities. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: “What works?” “How do stakeholders create a system of care?” “How are systems working in other places?” Communities contemplating system-of-care implementation find that there are no clear-cut answers to these deceptively simple questions. This issue brief will provide cross-site analyses of critical system implementation factors identified by stakeholders within each of the six exemplary communities participating in this research study, and will offer clues around common themes identified at each study site.

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges, Ph.D. for more information

IV-E Waiver Demonstration Evaluation Semi-Annual Progress Report 3/SFY07-08 (2008)

Vargo, A. C., Armstrong, M.I., Sowell, C., Jordan, N., King-Miller, T., Sharrock, P., & Yampolskaya, S. (2007). IV-E Waiver Demonstration Evaluation Semi-annual Progress Report 3 (SFY07-08). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Dept. of Child & Family Studies.

Summary: The Florida Department of Children and Families has contracted with CFS to evaluate the state's IV-E Waiver Demonstration program which allows Florida's 20 Community-Based Care lead agencies to spend federal dollars previously earmarked for out-of-home care on an array of prevention and diversion services.

View a pdf | Contact Amy Vargo for more information

Effective Financing Strategies for Systems of Care: Examples from the Field - A Resource Compendium for Developing a Comprehensive Financing Plan  (2008)

Stroul, B., Pires, S.A., Armstrong, M. I., McCarthy, J., Pizzigati, K., & Wood, G.M., (2008). Effective financing strategies for systems of care: Examples from the field—A resource compendium for developing a comprehensive financing plan (RTC study 3: Financing structures and strategies to support effective systems of care, FMHI pub. # 235-02). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: This document presents examples of effective financing strategies for seven key areas related to the development of comprehensive and strategic financing plans for systems of care. It is intended as a companion to the Self-Assessment and Planning Guide: Developing a Comprehensive Financing Plan.

View a pdf | Contact Mary Armstrong for more information

20th Annual Research Conference Proceedings (2008)

Newman, C., Liberton, C., Kutash, K., & Friedman, R. (Eds.) (2008).Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: Features presentation summaries from symposia, paper presentations and poster presentations, organized around the central themes of the annual research conference.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

21st Annual Research Conference Proceedings (2008)

Newman, C., Liberton, C., Kutash, K., & Friedman, R. (Eds.) (2008).Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: Features presentation summaries from symposia, paper presentations and poster presentations, organized around the central themes and full agenda of the annual research conference.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

Report to the Legislature:Evaluation of the Department of Children and Families Community-Based Care Initiative Fiscal Year 2006-2007 (2008)

Armstrong, M., Vargo, A., Jordan, N., King-Miller, T., Sowell, C., Yampolskaya, S. (2007). Report to the Legislature: Evaluation of Community-Based Care Initiative Year 2006-2007. Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute: Tampa, Florida.

Summary: This evaluation examines the status of Community-Based Care (CBC) in Florida, with a special focus on child and family outcomes, quality, and cost. The report includes the 20 lead agencies that served Florida’s 67 counties during fiscal year 2006-2007 (FY06-07). The executive summary briefly details critical findings on three research questions, with attention paid to longitudinal trends over the past three years when possible. More detailed methods, results and contextual information may be found in each section of the report.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong, Ph.D. for more information

Phase I Report: Developing Sustainable Infrastructure in Support of Quality Field-Based Practice (SIP) (2007)

Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., Mazza, J., Vaughn, B., Van Dyke, M., Mowery, D., Hernandez, M., Briscoe, R., & Blase, K. (2007, Nov. 30). Phase I report (Developing sustainable infrastructure in support of quality field?based practice series, FMHI # 248?2). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies.

Summary:

This document reports on Phase I of SIP. The purpose of Phase I was twofold: 1) to examine the community context and infrastructure in which FASST operates; and 2) to define the FASST community?based model through the identification of core intervention components. The goal of Phase I was to determine what core intervention components establish the FASST model and contribute to its success

View a pdf | Contact Kathleen Ferreira for more information

AHCA Highlights Policy Brief 1: Using Research to Shape Future Directions of Children’s Managed Mental Health Care (2007)

Fixsen, A., & Armstrong, M.I. (2007). AHCA highlights policy brief 1: Using research to shape future directions of children’s managed mental health care. (AHCA series, 220-PB1). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute.

Summary: Through a contractual arrangement with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI) has conducted studies of Florida’s implementation of managed mental health care over the past 11 years (1996–2006). This policy brief is the product of a comprehensive review of 19 studies and yields a more global view of the impact of managed mental health care in the state of Florida on children with serious emotional problems and their families. Summative findings, trends, and policy and practice recommendations from studies regarding children’s managed mental health care are presented.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

IV-E Waiver Demonstration Evaluation Semi-Annual Progress Report 2 (SFY06-07) (2007)

Vargo, A. C., Armstrong, M.I., Jordan, N., King-Miller, T., Sharrock, P., Sowell, C., & Yampolskaya, S. (2007). IV-E Waiver demonstration evaluation
semi-annual progress report 2 (SFY06-07). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Dept. of Child & Family Studies.

Summary: The Florida Department of Children and Families has contracted with CFS to evaluate the state's IV-E Waiver Demonstration program which allows Florida's 20 Community-Based Care lead agencies to spend federal dollars previously earmarked for out-of-home care on an array of prevention and diversion services. This report provides data collected from focus groups with lead agencies, Department of Children and Families (DCF) Central Office (including fiscal staff), child protective investigators, and judges.

View a pdf | Contact Amy Vargo for more information

Family Driven Care: Are We There Yet?
(2007)

Duchnowski, A. J., & Kutash, K. (2007). Family-driven care. Tampa FL: University of South Florida, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies

Summary: This report acquaints readers with the concept of family-driven care for children who have emotional and behavioral disturbances. From this context, the authors provide information about evidence-based practices that are effective interventions to help the children and their families. This information will help families, educators, and mental health service providers plan effective interventions for the children in their care.

View a pdf | Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Semi-Annual Progress Report: IV-E Waiver Demonstration Evaluation (2007)

Armstrong, M., Vargo, A. C., Jordan, N., King-Miller, T., Roggenbaum, S., Sowell, C. & Yampolskaya, S. (2007). Semi-annual progress report: IV-E Waiver demonstration evaluation. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Dept. of Child & Family Studies.

Summary: The Florida Department of Children and Families has contracted with CFS to evaluate the state's IV-E Waiver Demonstration program which allows Florida's 20 Community-Based Care lead agencies to spend federal dollars previously earmarked for out-of-home care on an array of prevention and diversion services. This first report addressed the first six months of Waiver implementation (10/01/06-3/30/07), and focused on identification of barriers and challenges related to Waiver implementation and refinement of the evaluation’s theory of change through focus groups with key stakeholders.

View a pdf | Contact Amy Vargo for more information

Strategies for System of Care Development: Locally Identified Factors for System Implementation (Supplement to Issue Brief #2) (2007)

Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., Israel, N., & Mazza, J. (2007). Strategies for system of care development: Locally identified factors for system implementation. [Supplement to issue brief #2-Lessons from successful systems: Critical factors in system of care implementation]. Tampa:
University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: Companion document for Critical Factors in System of Care Implementation, System Implementation Issue Brief #2, which presents cross-site patterns of system implementation. This document delineates locally identified implementation factors that stakeholders considered critical to system of care development. This data presentation was prepared by Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health investigators Sharon Hodges, Kathleen Ferreira, Nathaniel Israel, & Jessica Mazza

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges, Ph.D., M.B.A. for more information

Critical Factors in System of Care Implementation (System Implementation Issue Brief #2) (2007)

Hodges, S., Israel, N., Ferreira, K., & Mazza, J. (2007). System implementation issue brief #2—Critical Factors in System of Care Implementation. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: This issue brief presents cross-site patterns of system implementation. These patterns emerged from the analysis of locally identified implementation factors that stakeholders considered critical to system of care development. This overview was prepared by Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health investigators Sharon Hodges, Nathaniel Israel, Kathleen Ferreira, & Jessica Mazza

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges, Ph.D., M.B.A. for more information

Leadership Qualities in Successful Systems of Care (System Implementation Issue Brief #3) (2007)

Ferreira, K., Hodges, S., Israel, N., & Mazza, J. (2007). System implementation issue brief #3—Lessons from successful systems: Leadership qualities in successful systems of care. Tampa:
University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: This issue brief presents system of care leadership as defined by stakeholders in four established systems. When asked to identify factors critical to system of care implementation, leadership was included by all systems that have participated in Case Studies of System Implementation. This overview was prepared by Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health investigators Kathleen Ferreira, Sharon Hodges, Nathaniel Israel, & Jessica Mazza.

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges, Ph.D., M.B.A. for more information

Quick Guide for Self-Assessment of Family-Run Organizations in Systems of Care
(2007)

Lazear, K., Anderson, R., & Boterf, E. (2007) Quick guide for self-assessment of family-run organizations in systems of care. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: The Quick Guide is for use by family-run organizations. The guide is divided into nine sections addressing important elements of family-run organization development and sustainability. Each section represents several components or characteristics of effective family-run organizations in a system of care. The guide was derived from the work of Research and Training Center investigators Kathy Lazear, René Anderson & Eloise Boterf.

View a pdf | Contact Kathy Lazear for more information

Lessons from Successful Systems: System of Care Definition (System implementation Issue Brief #1) (2007)

Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., Israel, N., & Mazza, J. (2007). System implementation issue brief #1—Lessons from successful systems: System of care definition. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: This Issue Brief introduces an expanded definition for systems of care to facilitate discussion about system implementation and evaluation of impact. The proposed definitions result from the work of Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health Investigators Sharon Hodges, Kathleen Ferreira, Nathaniel Israel & Jessica Mazza.

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges, Ph.D., M.B.A. for more information

Lessons from Successful Systems: Evidence-Based Practices and Systems of Care: Implementation Matters (System Implementation Issue Brief #4) (2007)

Israel, N., Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., & Mazza, J. (2007). System implementation issue brief #4—Lessons from successful systems: Evidence-based practices and systems of care: Implementation matters. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. This overview was prepared by Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health investigators Nathaniel Israel, Sharon Hodges, Kathleen Ferreira, & Jessica Mazza.

Summary: This issue brief presents key findings on the relationship between EBPs and systems of care from Case Studies of System Implementation. Strategies critical to implementing EBPs within systems of care are also presented.

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges, Ph.D., M.B.A. for more information

Examining the Research Base Supporting Cultural Competence in Children’s Mental Health Services (2006)

Hernandez, M., Nesman, T., Isaacs, M., Callejas, L. M., & Mowery, D. (Eds.) (2006). Examining the research base supporting culturally competent children's mental health services. (Making children's mental health services successful series, FMHI pub. No 240-1). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research & Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: Examining the Research Base Supporting Cultural Competence in Children’s Mental Health Services shares results of an in-depth literature review which will become the basis of an attempt to operationalize cultural competence, with the eventual result being an organizational cultural competence assessment tool. This review identifies and describes organizational factors associated with increased access for ethnically/racial diverse children and their families to quality mental health services and supports.

View a pdf | Contact Nancy Burrus for more information

Organizational Cultural Competence: A Review of Assessment Protocols (2006)

Harper, M., Mernandez, M. Nesman, T., Mowery, D., Worthington, J., & Isaacs, M. (2006). Organizational cultural competence: A review of assessment protocols. (Making children's mental health services successful series, FMHI pub. No 240-2). Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research & Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: Organizational Cultural Competence: A Review of Assessment Protocols contributes to understanding how cultural competence is currently operationalized and measured at the organizational level. This monograph compares organizational assessment instruments through the following questions:

• For what type of organization was the instrument developed?
• How were the instruments developed?
• How do the authors define cultural competence?
• What domains do the authors use as categories of analysis?

View a pdf | Contact Nancy Burrus for more information

Applying a Theory of Change Approach to Interagency Planning in Child Mental Health (2006)

Hernandez, M. & Hodges, S. (2006) Applying a theory of change approach to interagency planning in child mental health. American Journal of Community Psychology, 38(3) 165-173

Summary: This paper describes the use of a theory of change approach to community-based cross-agency service planning in Contra Costa County, California for a population of youth who had been arrested and involved with juvenile probation.

View a pdf | Contact Mario Hernandez for more information

Voices from the Field: A Blueprint for Schools to Increase the Involvement of Families Who Have Children with Emotional Disturbances
(2006)

Duchnowski, A. J., Kutash, K., & Romney, S. (2006). Voices from the field: A blueprint for schools to increase the involvement of families who have children with emotional disturbances

Summary: This 27 page document describes how the school and mental health systems can increase the involvement of parents in developing and assisting with services for their children with serious emotional disturbances.

View a pdf | Contact Albert Duchnowski for more information

Assumptions, Indicators and Descriptors for the Family Voice Study: Assessing the Role of Family Organizations in Developing Family Voice in Systems of Care (2006)

The Research & Training Center for Children's Mental Health. Assumptions, Indicators and Descriptors for the Family Voice Study: Assessing the Role of Family Organizations in Developing Family Voice in Systems of Care. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies.

Summary: Research suggests that systems of care with strong family voice have certain characteristics. The Family Voice Assumptions, Indicators and Descriptions (FV-AID) Chart identifies these characteristics which are listed in the first column as Assumptions. The questions to identify the importance of these characteristics, the extent or implementation and the effectiveness of these characteristics are the Indicators and are listed in the second column. And, the questions to learn how these indicators are operationalized are listed in the third column, as the Descriptors. The FV-AID Chart is also used as a framework for the development of Family Voice Study protocols and activities.

View a pdf | Contact Kathy Lazear for more information

Strategies for System of Care Development: Making Change in Complex Systems (2006)

Hodges, S., Ferreira, K., Israel, N., & Mazza, J. (2006). Strategies for system of care development: Making change in complex systems. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: This article describes adaptation of the framework from Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System Framework to systems of care. This adaptation provides the framework that the Research and Training Center team will use to analyze site data for Study 2: Case Studies of System Implementation: Holistic Approaches to Studying Community-based Systems of Care.

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges for more information

Final report: Independent assessment of the New Jersey’s children’s behavioral health care system. (2006)

Armstong M.I., Blase, K., Caldwell, B., Holt, W., King-Miller, T., Kuppinger, A., Obrochta, C., Policella, D.N., & Wallace, F. (2006). Final report: Independent assessment of the New Jersey’s children’s behavioral health care system. Tampa, FL: The University of South Florida. Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute. (FMHI Publication #239)

Summary:

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Examining the Impact of Policy on Collaboration in Systems of Care. (2006)

Evans, M. E., Armstrong, M. I., Beckstead, J. W., & Lee, J. (2006). Examining the impact of policy on collaboration in systems of care. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 16(4), 567-576.

Summary: We report on the methods and outcomes of a two-phase study designed to determine the relationship between the mechanisms that have been used to establish systems of care and their resulting levels of collaboration. Difference in beliefs about collaboration and collaborative behaviors were found.

Contact Mary Armstrong for more information

Annual Research Conference Proceedings (2006)

Newman, C., Liberton, C., Kutash, K., & Friedman, R. (2006). Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: Features presentation summaries from symposia, paper presentations and poster presentations, organized around the central themes of the annual research conference.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

School-Based Mental Health: An Empirical Guide for Decision-Makers (2006)

Kutash, K., Duchnowski, A. J., & Lynn, N. (2006). School-based mental health: An empirical guide for decision-makers. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Dept. of Child and Family Studies, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: The "Yellow Book" provides a discussion of barriers to school-based services with the intention of improving service effectiveness and capacity. Reviews the history of mental health services supplied in schools, implementation of serviced, and provides an overview of the evidence base for school-based interventions. Includes recommendations for evidence-based mental health services in schools.

View a pdf | Contact Krista Kutash for more information

A Self-assessment and Planning Guide: Developing a Comprehensive Financing Plan (RTC Study 3): Financing structures and strategies to support effective systems of care. (2006)

Armstrong, M., Pires, S., McCarthy, J., Stroul, B., Wood, G., & Pizzigati, K. (2006). A self-assessment and planning guide: Developing a comprehensive financing plan. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: Discusses critical financing structures and strategies to support systems of care for children, adolescents and their families, and examines how financing mechanisms operate separately and collectively to achieve this goal.

View a pdf | Contact Mary Armstrong for more information

Findings: Examining the Impact of Policy on Collaboration in Systems of Care (2006)

Armstrong, M. I., & Evans, M. E. (2006). Findings: Examining the impact of policy on collaboration in system of care. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Eds.), The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 421-424). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: This article discusses how policy implementation affects collaboration at the state and community levels. Collaboration, in turn, contributes to effective systems of care.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

Promising Approaches in Care Management Systems (2006)

Armstrong, M. (2006). Promising approaches in care management systems. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Eds.), The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 356-358). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: This study examined care management models by states or management entities within states that operate within a managed care environment. Using semi-structured interviews with key state and managed care informants, the study examined the types of care management models currently in use, and provides strategies for the successful implementation of a care management approach.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

A Model for Implementing Effective Systems of Care (2006)

Friedman, R. M. (2006). A model for implementing effective systems of care. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Eds.), The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 3-9). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: Provides a discussion of the model of implementation factors developed by the Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health. The Center's model includes 14 implementation factors and builds upon systems of care values.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

Building the Workforce Plan for Children's Mental Health (2006)

MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Morris, J., Dodge, J., & Friedman, R. M. (2006). Building the workforce plan for children's mental health. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R. M. Friedman (Eds.), The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 459-461). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Heatlh.

Summary: Discussion centers around the formation of the National Strategic Plan on Workforce Development in Behavioral Health. Includes a discussion of the Annapolis Coalition and its efforts related to workforce recruitment and retention. Ten strategic workforce goals are presented.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

Workforce Development and Emerging Technology in Children's Mental Health (2006)

MacKinnon-Lewis, C., Hanson, A., Ferreira, K., Friedman, R. M., Goldman, S., & Pettijohn, P. (2006). Workforce development and emerging technology in children's mental health. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R. M. Friedman (Eds.), The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 463-466). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: This article describes, through the use of internet technology, plans for a system of care curriculum initiative listserve through which students will take classes in collaboration with 10 major universities.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

Case Studies of System Implementation (2006)

Hodges, S. (2006). Case studies of system implementation. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R.M. Friedman (Ed.), The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 11-15). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: This study identifies strategies undertaken by local communities in implementing community-based systems of care. The authors also seek to understand how factors affecting system implementation contribute to the development of local systems of care.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

Community-based Theories of Change: Study Background and Design (2006)

Hodges, S. (2006). Community-based theories of change: Study background and design. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R. M. Friedman (Eds.), The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 303-304). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: This article discusses the background and design of the Community-based Theories of Change Study. The study seeks to understand how child-serving organizations with a widely held theory of change carry out their mission and goals. Such a theory of change facilitates local policy implementation.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

The Use of Qualitative Methods in Systems of Care Research (2006)

Hodges, S., Pinto, A., Hernandez, M., & Uzzell, C. (2006). The use of qualitative methods in systems of care research. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash & R. Friedman (Eds.) The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 395-400). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: Presents a literature review of the Annual Conference Proceedings in an attempt to uncover qualitative research published by the Proceedings. 100 Studies were identified as qualitative. Descriptions of the most used qualitative study topics are provided.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

Organizational Structures and Processes within an Evidence-based Practice: Cross-site Findings from a Study of Teaching Family Organizations (2006)

Nesman, T. (2006). Organizational structures and processes within an evidence-based practice: Cross-site findings from a study of teaching family organizations. In C. Newman, C. Liberton, K. Kutash, & R. Friedman (Eds.). The 18th Annual Research Conference Proceedings, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base (pp. 311-315). Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: Describes phase II findings of the Community-based Theories of Change Study. The summary provides an example of how actual service deliery relates to operations at the local end, and asks how organizations turn their ideas about implementation into action, what structures support and organization's ability to carry out its goals, and how such an organization sustains its focus.

View a pdf | Contact Catherine Newman for more information

Educating Students with Emotional Disturbances: A National Perspective on Programs and Services (2006)

Wagner, M., Friend, M., Bursuck, W., Kutash, K., Duchnowski, A., & Sumi, W. C. (2006). Educating students with emotional disturbances: A national perspective on programs and services. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 14, 12-30.

Summary: This article presents results of a study of students with emotional disturbances (ED) and their experiences at the elementary, middle, and high school grade levels. In addition, school characteristics, resources, educational programs and services are discussed. Data are from the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS) and the National Transition Study-2 (NLTS2).

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Integrating Nursing Care into System of Care for Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (2006)

Evans, M. E. (2006). Integrating nursing care into system of care for children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 19(2), 62-68.

Summary: This article discusses the roles that nurses can play as they integrate nursing care into systems of care. Possible roles suggested are: case managers, primary therapists, in-home interventionists, and educators for special programs.

| Contact Mary Evans for more information

The Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS) and the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS2): Study Designs and Implications for Youth With Emotional Disturbance (2005)

Wagner, M., Kutash, K., Duchnowski, A. J., & Epstein, M. H. (2005). The Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study and the National Longitudinal Transition Study: Study designs and implications for youth with emotional disturbance. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 13(1),25-41.

Summary: This article describes design features of two longitudinal studies, the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS) and the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS2), and to outline their potential implicatios for policy, practice, research, advocacy, and system development for children and youth with emotional disturbances (ED).

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

The System of Care Twenty Years Later (2005)

Kutash, K., Duchnowski, A. J., & Friedman, R. M. (2005). The system of care twenty years later. In M. H. Epstein, K. Kutash, & A. J. Duchnowski (Eds.), Outcomes for children with emotional and behavioral disorders and their families: Program and evaluation best practices, 2nd ed. (pp. 3-22). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Summary: In this chapter the authors discuss the current impact and relevancy of the system of care model for the children’s mental health services system. The chapter begins with a brief description of the context that led to the development of the systems of care nationally. This is followed by an examination of recent empirical advances that have been made in understanding the number of youth who have emotional disorders, components within systems of care, and outcomes related to the model. The chapter concludes with recommended next steps for systems of care research.

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Enhancing the Influence of Psychologists on Public Policy: Will More of the Same Do It? (2005)

Friedman, R. (2005). Enhancing the influence of psychologists on public policy: Will more of the same do it? Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health. Unpublished manuscript.

Summary: In this article, Robert Friedman draws on over 25 years experience to address how, as a field, psychology can more effectively prepare graduate students and conduct its own research to strengthen the contribution to policy.

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Critical Financing Strategies with System-level Outcomes, Indicators, Data Sources, and Data Analysis Plan (2005)

Armstrong, M., Pires, S., Stroul, B, & Wood, G. (2005). Critical financing strategies with system-level outcomes, indicators, data sources, and data analysis plan. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Dept. of Child and Family Studies, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: Within the Center's theoretical framework of critical implementation factors, one set relates to the financing structures and strategies that communities build into their theories of change and implementation plans. This document provides a framework that identifies preliminary sets of financing indicators, system level outcomes, data collection methods, and a data analysis plan for each critical financing component. A resource document to support systems planning, these guidelines were developed by Study 3: Financing Structures and Strategies to Support Effective Systems of Care.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Transformation Work Group Report (2005)

Friedman, R. (2005). Transformation work group report. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies. Unpublished manuscript.

Summary: This report describes the compatibility of the SOC vision, values and principles, and general practices with those expressed by the President’s New Freedom Commission. Recommendations are based on findings of a national survey of key stakeholders in the children’s mental health field, individual interviews of key informants, and focus groups and general forums were conducted by the Transformation Work Group of the Council on Collaboration and Coordination,CMHS Child and Family Branch.

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Real Manuals for Real Teachers (2005)

Kutash, K. & Duchnowski, A. (2005). Real manuals for real teachers. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research Center for Children's Mental Health.

Summary: A research demonstration project was developed through a unique partnership of special educators, parents, administrators, and researchers, in order to increase the use of evidence-based practices in special education programs and to improve student outcomes. A major product of this project was the development of four teacher-friendly manuals that are guides to the implementation of evidence-based practices by special education teachers. A fidelity instrument was also developed to measure the level of implementation of these evidence-based practices.

View a pdf | Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Implementation Research: A Synthesis of the Literature (2005)

Fixsen, D. L., Naoom, S. F., Blase, K. A., Friedman, R. M., & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation research: A synthesis of the literature. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The National Implementation Research Network.

Summary: Summarizes findings from the review of the research literature on implementation. The reivew process began by identifying literature reporting any efforts to collect data on attempts to implement practices or programs in any domain, including agriculture, business, child welfare, engineering, health, juvenile justice, manufacturing, medicine, mental health, nursing and social services.

View a pdf | Contact Dean Fixsen for more information

The Children and Youth We Serve: A National Picture of the Characteristics of Students with Emotional Disturbances Receiving Special Education (2005)

Wagner, M., Kutash, K., Duchnowski, A.J., & Epstein, M. H. (2005). The children and youth we serve: A national picture of the characteristics of students with emotional disturbances receiving special education. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 13(2), 79-96.

Summary: This article provides a national perspective of children and youth with emotional disturbances (ED) served in special education using data from the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS) and the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2). Data sources include teachers, school records, the students, and their parents. Results indicate that children and youth with ED live in households in which there are multiple risk factors for poor life outcomes.

View a pdf | Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Effective Systems of Care: A Summary of Implementation Factors (2005)

The Research & Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (2005). Effective systems of care: A summary of implementation factors. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies. Unpublished document.

Summary: To guide its research, and to assist states and communities, the Center has developed a model of factors that it believes contribute to implementation of effective systems of care. This handout identifies and summarizes these factors.

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Evidence-Based Practices, Systems of Care, & Individualized Care (2005)

Friedman, R., & Drews, D. (2005). Evidence based practices, systems of care, & individualized care. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health. Unpublished manuscript.

Summary: Within recent years, the focus of children's mental health policy in the United States has been improving outcomes for children with mental health challenges and their families through the use of evidence-based practices at the child and family level. This paper describes an exploratory study on the relationship between systems of care with an individualized care component, which brings family, youth (where appropriate), members of the natural support system, and members of the formal service system together to develop plans that reflect a comprehensive focus on strengths and needs of families in multiple life domains.

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 7: Care Management in public sector managed care systems. (2005)

Armstrong, M. I., (2005). Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 7: Care Management in public sector managed care systems. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (FMHI Publication #211-7)

Summary: Promising Approaches Series #7 Care Management in Public Sector Managed Care Systems focuses on promising approaches in care management for children with serious emotional problems enrolled in a managed care system and their families.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Promising Approaches Series (2005)

The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (2005). Promising Approaches Series. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies. 

Summary: Drawing on the Health Care Reform Tracking Project (HCRTP) findings to date, a series of papers highlights relevant issues and approaches that have surfaced through the HCRTP’s all-state surveys and in-depth impact analyses in a smaller sample of 18 states. This series provides resources for states and communities as they refine managed-care systems to better serve children and families.

View a pdf | Contact Mary Armstrong for more information

Health Care Reform Tracking Project Reports to Date (2005)

The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (2005). Health Care Reform Tracking Project Reports to Date. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies.

Summary: The Health Care Reform Tracking Project was initiated in 1994 in response to the rapid expansion of managed care in the early 1990s from the private health care field to the public sector. The original purpose was to track and analyze the impact of Medicaid managed care reforms on children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances and their families. The project gathered extensive data on the early stages of implementation of Medicaid managed care. The project has published several reports to date: the 1995 survey of all 50 states to determine the status of their behavioral health care reforms; the 1997 impact analysis, the findings of site visits to 10 states; a second survey of all 50 states; and the 1999 impact analysis study (site visits to eight new states and follow-up reports on 10 original states. In 2000, the tracking project's focus has broadened to include the implementation of title XXI-State Children's Health Insurance Program.

View a pdf | Contact Mary Armstrong for more information

The System Accountability Project Publications (2005)

The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (2005). The System Accountability Project Publications. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Department, Department of Child and Family Studies.

Summary: The System Accountability Project for Children's Mental Health at the University of South Florida focused on promoting the use of measurable outcomes by mental health providers. Researchers with the System Accountability Project investigated how information about outcomes impacts service planning and delivery. The goal of the project was to promote the best practices currently available that track measurable outcomes as a means to improve service delivery.

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges for more information

The Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS) and the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS2): Study designs and implications for youth with emotional disturbance (2005)

Wagner, M, Kutash, K, Duchnowski, AJ, & Epstein, MH (2005). The Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS) and the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS2): Study designs and implications for youth with emotional disturbance. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 13(1), 25-41.

Summary: This article describes the design features of two longitudinal studies, the The Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS)and the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS2). Implications for policy, practice, research, advocacy, and system development for children with emotional disturbance (ED) are discussed.

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Transforming Mental Health Care for Children and Their Families (2005)

Huang, L, Stroul, B, Friedman, R, Mrazek, P, Friesen, B, & Pires, S (2005). Transforming mental health care for children and their families. American Psychologist, 60(6), 615-627.

Summary: Discusses recommendations of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Addresses critical infrastructure, practice, and research. Focuses on the work of the commission's Subcommittee on Children and describes a vision for mental health service delivery for children with emotional and behavioral disorders and their families.

| Contact Larke Huang for more information

Systematically Examining School Improvement Activities Including Special Education (2004)

Duchnowski, A. J., Kutash, K. & Oliveira, B. (2004). Systematically examining school improvement activities including special education. Remedial and Special Education, 25(2), 117-129.

Summary: Methodological and practical challenges present formidable barriers to conducting empirical evaluations of school reform initiatives. Systematic information about school reform and improvement, and its relationship to special education, is even more difficult to obtain. In this study, the authors developed a reliable and valid method to (a) systematically describe and assess the school improvement process and (b) examine its relationship to special education by including the investigation programs for students with emotional disturbance. A rigorous case-study design was used with 20 schools that varied in their levels of improvement activity. Results indicated that the School Improvement Index (SII) could reliably and validly discriminate between schools engaging in high levels of school improvement activities and those schools engaging in low levels. The use of the SII as a research tool and an aid to local schools engaged in school improvement is discussed.

View a pdf | Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Mental Health Services: A Public Health Perspective (2004)

Friedman, R.M., Best, K., Armstrong, M., Duchnowski, A., Evans, M., Hernandez, M., Hodges, S., & Kutash, K. (2004). Child mental health policy. In B.L. Levin, J. Petrila, & K. Hennessey (Eds.), Mental health services: A public health perspective, 2nd ed. (pp. 129-156). New York: Oxford University Press.

Summary: This chapter reviews the child mental health policy of the United States and identifies key policy issues at a time when greater attention is being paid to the area of children's mental health. The attention reflects both the severity of the problem of emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders in children and adolescents, and the inadequacy of present attempts to address these disorders. A brief history of child mental health policy is reviewed, and the prevalence and seriousness of the problem is discussed.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

The Mental Health Needs of Youth with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities Placed in Special Education Programs In Urban Schools (2004)

Kutash, K., & Duchnowski, A. J. (2004). The mental health needs of youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities placed in special education programs in urban schools. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 13(2), 235-248.

Summary: This paper describes the psychosocial characteristics of youth served in special education due to emotional disturbances in urban communities (N = 158). Data were also collected describing service utilization, academic functioning, and family characteristics. Ten schools in three mid-size urban cities participated. Results from the administration of standardized assessments revealed that the majority of students scored in the clinical range on the parent version of the Child Behavior Checklist and the Columbia Impairment Scale, indicating significant levels of emotional and behavioral impairment. Further, behavior problems began at an early age, and most of the youths’ school careers have been in a special education setting. The most common services currently being supplied by school personnel was individual counseling, while child-serving agency personnel were providing individual counseling for 17% of the youth.

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 6: Family involvement in managed care systems. (2004)

Wood, G. M., (2004). Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 6: Family involvement in managed care systems. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (FMHI Publication #211-6)

Summary: Promising Approaches Series #6: Family Involvement in Managed Care Systems focuses on promising approaches and strategies related to family involvement in managed care systems in three states: NJ, MA and DE.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Family experience of the mental health system (FEMHS) — Findings compendium: Issue brief 1 Methodology & attributes. (2004)

Lazear, K. J. (2004). Family experience of the mental health system (FEMHS) — Findings compendium: Issue brief 1 Methodology & attributes. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (FMHI Series Publication #224)

Summary:

Contact Katherine J. Lazear for more information

Monograph: Family Experience of The Mental Health System (FEMHS) — Findings Compendium (2004)

Lazear, K. & Worthington, J. (2004). Monograph: Family experience of the mental health system (FEMHS) — Findings compendium. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research & Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: The Findings Compendium provides a brief summary of the Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health Study of the Family Experience of the Mental Health System (FEMHS). The study was designed to meet a need for information from family perspectives about service access and delivery, as well as about specific aspects of services that are most and least helpful

View a pdf | Contact Katherine Lazear for more information

A Study of Service Innovations that Enhance Systems of Care: Expanding the Array of Services using Networks of Providers in Community Based Integrated Systems of Care (2004)

Behar, L., Friedman, R., & Lynn, N. (n.d.) A study of service innovations that enhance systems of care: Expanding the array of services using networks of providers in community based integrated systems of care. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health. Unpublished manuscript.

Summary: This paper describes results and implications from a study designed to explore innovative service system practices in nine sites. Creative approaches to cross-agency finance, provider network development, provider selection and evaluation, and quality assurance are identified and described in order to advance the field's understanding of provider- and systems-level issues.

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

System of Care Checklists from the Family Experience of the Mental Health System (FEMHS) Study (2004)

Lazear, K.J., Worthington, J., & Detres, M. (2004). Family experience of the mental health system (FEMHS): Findings brief 5, Helpfulness of formal services, family organizations and informal supports. Tampa, FL. University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health. (FMHI Series Publication #224-5)

Summary: The Family Experience of the Mental Health System was designed to meet a need for information from family perspectives about service access and delivery, as well as about specific aspects of services that are most and least helpful. Based on the experiences of the families in the study, as well as evidence-based and promising practices, these checklists can help guide the development of systems of care as they address child and family issues of: medication; decisions and responsibilities of care; pathways and access to care; and, helpfulness of formal organizations and informal supports.

View a pdf | Contact Katherine J. Lazear for more information

Improving Outcomes for Students Through the Application of a Public Health Model to School Psychology: A Commentary (2003)

Friedman, R. M. (2003). Improving outcomes for students through the application of a public health model to school psychology: A commentary. Journal of School Psychology, 41, 69-75.

Summary: This overview contains a summary of the application of public health principles and concepts, which have the potential to improve outcomes for children served in our schools. The public health model focuses on the status of the overall population of children and that most children in need of services do not receive them. Implications for policy, research and the improvement of children in need of services are discussed.

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Building upon Theory of Change for Systems of Care (2003)

Hernandez, M., & Hodges, S. (2003). Building upon theory of change for systems of care. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders 11(1), 19-26.

Summary: This article describes the concept of systems of care for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families. Systems of care are presented as mutable strategies for improving organizational relationships that are best judged by outcomes focused at the organizational level. Implications for rethinking and expanding the theory of change that underlies the system of care is discussed.

| Contact Mario Hernandez for more information

Developmental Framework for Collaboration in Child-serving Agencies (2003)

Hodges, S., Hernandez, M., & Nesman, T. A. (2003) Developmental framework for collaboration in child-serving agencies. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 12(3), 291-305.

Summary: This article presents a developmental framework for collaboration in child-serving agencies that is based on the experience of families, service providers, administrators, and community members who have been involved in local collaborative processes in their own communities. The results of this project indicate that while well-developed collaboration is a necessary component of collaboration, it is not sufficient in and of itself.

| Contact Sharon Hodges for more information

The Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 (2003)

Greenbaum, P. E., Dedrick, R. F., & Lipien, L. (2003). The Child Behavior Checklist/4-18. In M. Hersen (Ed.), Comprehensive handbook of psychological assessment: Vol. 2. Personality assessment. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Summary: This chapter presents the Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 as one of the most widely used parent report forms of children’s psychological behavior. The checklist was designed to measure competencies and problems in children 4 to 18 years of age. The chapter reviews a broad range of issues regarding the checklist, including: the theoretical basis, the range of applicability and limitations, the accommodations for populations with disabilities, and the legal and ethical considerations in using this instrument.

| Contact Paul Greenbaum for more information

Health care reform tracking project: Using research to move forward: A consensus conference on publicly funded managed care for children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — September 29–30, 2003. (2003)

Stroul, B.A., Pires, S.A, & Armstrong, M.I. (2003). Health care reform tracking project: Using research to move forward: A consensus conference on publicly funded managed care for children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — September 29–30, 2003. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (FMHI Publication #215)

Summary: The Consensus Conference was held on September 29-30, 2003 in Washington, DC. The overall objective of the conference was to develop a set of agreed-upon recommendations for policy, practice, and research related to behavioral health managed care for children and adolescents, based on research results.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Monograph: Crafting Logic Models for Systems of Care: Ideas Into Action (2003)

Hernandez, M. & Hodges, S. (2003). Crafting logic models for systems of care: Ideas into action. [Making children’s mental health services successful series, volume 1]. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, The Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child & Family Studies.

Summary: This monograph is designed to provide a guide for communities engaged in developing systems of care. It provides a straightforward method that system stakeholders can use to turn their ideas into tangible action-oriented strategies for achieving their goals for system development.

View a pdf | Contact Mario Hernandez for more information

Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 5: Serving youth with serious and complex behavioral health needs in managed care systems. (2003)

Stroul, B. A., (2003). Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 5: Serving youth with serious and complex behavioral health needs in managed care systems. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (FMHI Publication #211-5)

Summary: Promising Approaches Series #5: Serving Youth with Serious and Complex Behavioral Health Needs in Managed Care Systems identifies a number of issues that affect the provision of appropriate services to youth with serious behavioral health disorders and their families in the context of managed care systems.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 4: Accountability and quality assurance in managed care systems. (2003)

Armstrong, M. I., (2003). Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 4: Accountability and quality assurance in managed care systems. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (FMHI Publication #211-4)

Summary: Promising Approaches Series #4: Accountability and Quality Assurance in Managed Care Systems identifies a number of managed care accountability and quality assurance approaches that support effective service-delivery to children with serious emotional problems and their families.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 3: Making interagency initiatives work for the children and families in the child welfare system. (2003)

Hepburn, K. & McCarthy, J. (2003). Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 3: Making interagency initiatives work for the children and families in the child welfare system. Washington, DC: National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health, Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development. (Georgetown University Publication #211-3)

Summary: Promising Approaches Series #3: Making Interagency Initiatives Work for Children and Families in the Child Welfare System highlights the premise of interagency initiatives and the promise that such initiatives have for children and families involved with the child welfare system.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 2: A view from the child welfare system. (2003)

McCarthy, J. & McCullough, C. (2003). Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 2: A view from the child welfare system. Washington, DC: National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health, Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development. (Georgetown University Publication #211-2)

Summary: Promising Approaches Series #2: A View from the Child Welfare System presents examples of promising approaches from four states and communities and offers concluding observations and summarizes challenges faced by the states and communities, as well as similar key strategies noted across the four sites.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state managed care systems as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 2003 State Survey. (2003)

Stroul, B.A., Pires, S.A, & Armstrong, M.I. (2003). Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state managed care systems as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 2003 State Survey. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (FMHI Publication #212-4)

Summary: The 2003 State Survey reports the findings of the fourth and final all-state survey conducted to identify and describe public sector managed care activity occurring in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that affects children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

What is Case Management? (2002)

Evans, M. E., & Armstrong, M. I. (2002). What is case management? In B. J. Burns, & K. Hoagwood (Eds). Community treatment for youth: Evidence-based interventions for severe emotional and behavioral disorders. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 39-68.

Summary: Although case management has become a common intervention for children served through multiple systems, it can be quite variable in implementation. This chapter addresses the necessity to define case management in terms of common components and diverse models prior to exploring the evidence base for practice. This chapter also examines significant studies to date regarding the effectiveness of case management approaches.

| Contact Mary Evans for more information

Community-based Interventions in a System of Care and Outcome Framework. (2002)

Duchnowski, A. J. Kutash, K. & Friedman, R. M. (2002). Community-based interventions in a system of care and outcomes framework. In B. J. Burns, & K. Hoagwood (Eds). Community treatment for youth: Evidence-based interventions for severe emotional and behavioral disorders. New York: Oxford University Press, pp.16-37

Summary: This chapter summarizes the various initiatives and research findings that are driving the shift in the children’s mental health services system from the almost exclusive reliance on office-based or residential treatment to a community-based continuum of service options. The chapter introduces the topics covered in the remaining chapters in this book and presents an overview of the recent history of children’s mental health services and the current status of the field. The chapter summarizes the current emphasis and work on evaluating outcomes in the service delivery system for children and their families.

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

The National Evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services Program for Children and their Families Program. A Commentary. (2002)

Friedman, R. M. & Hernandez, M. (2002). The national evaluation of the comprehensive community mental health services program for children and their families program. A commentary. Children’s Services: Social Policy, Research, and Practice, 5(1), 67-74.

Summary: This commentary appeared in a special issue describing the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. Friedman and Hernandez’ commentary identifies general issues and themes in development and evaluation of systems of care, and discusses these in the context of the articles appearing in this volume. Themes included (a) impact of complexity of community-based systems of care on evaluation design; (b) relevance of theories of change; (c) implications of diversity in populations served; and (4) strategies for conducting evaluation within the constraints imposed.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

The Impact of Managed Care on Systems of Care that Serve Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances and their Families. (2002)

Stroul, B., Pires, S., Armstrong, M. & Zaro, S. (2002). The impact of managed care on systems of care that serve children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. Children’s Services: Social Policy, Research and Practice, 5(1), 21-36.

Summary: This article describes findings from a qualitative study evaluating the impact of managed care reforms on a select sample of systems of care funded by the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. This study’s analyses reveal conditions and factors necessary to maintain a system-of-care-philosophy and approach in a managed care environment.

| Contact Beth Stroul for more information

Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Recommendations for Improvement by State Mental Health Commissions (2002)

Friedman, R. M. (2002). Child and adolescent mental health: Recommendations for Improvement by State Mental Health Commissions. Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health, Department of Child and Family Studies, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL: Author.

Summary: Between 1997 and 2001, 13 states had commissions that reviewed their state mental health system. This manuscript reviews the findings and recommendations from the reports of these commissions with regard to child and adolescent mental health. The composite look at the commission reports offers an opportunity to examine the current status of systems and services for children with emotional disturbances and their families.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

A School, Family, and Community Collaborative Program for Children who have Emotional Disturbances. (2002)

Kutash, K., Duchnowski, A. J., Sumi, W. C., Rudo, Z. & Harris, K. M. (2002). A school, family, and community collaborative program for children who have emotional disturbances. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 10(2), 99-107.

Summary: This article provides the rationale, development, implementation and evaluation of a school-based program for students with emotional disturbances and who are served in a special education setting. The essential features of this program included a training program for professionals from the school and community agencies, the development and implementation of a strengths–based plan in which students and families are included as partners, and a method for evaluating the fidelity of program implementation. Results indicated a reduction in discipline referrals, better retention of students with emotional disturbances in their community school, and a trend toward improved emotional functioning. In addition, fidelity was positively related to higher reading achievement.

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

A Conceptual Framework for Developing and Implementing Effective Policy in Children’s Mental Health (2002)

Friedman, R. M. (2002). A conceptual framework for developing and implementing effective policy in children’s mental health. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 11(1), 11-18.

Summary: This article presents a framework to be used in studying public policy development and implementation in children’s mental health. It particularly focuses on policy related to the establishment of community-based systems of care. The framework is based on a review of the literature on policy development and implementation. It focuses on four dimensions: the stages of policy development and implementation, the relationships among different levels of government, the relationships among different service sectors, and variables that affect the likelihood that a policy will achieve its intended effect.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Creating Change and Keeping it Real: How Excellent Child-serving Organizations Carry out their Goals: Cross-Site Findings for Phase I of Community Based Theories of Change (2002)

Hodges, S., Hernandez, M., Nesman, T., & Lipien, L. (2002). Creating change and keeping it real: How excellent child-serving organizations carry out their goals. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: Community-Based Theories of Change is a national study funded by the federal Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS-SAMHSA) and National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research that is designed to address how human service organizations carry out their mission and goals, how they transfer their policy agendas across stakeholders, and how they sustain their service strategies over time. This report summarizes the cross-site findings of Community-Based Theories of Change and presents lessons learned across the three participating sites in 2002.

View a pdf | Contact Sharon Hodges for more information

SSI Full Report and Executive Summary (2002)

The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (2002). SSI full report and executive summary. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies.

Summary: The SSI project specifically looks at the impact of changing standards on children's mental health. The project consists of in-depth interviews with families affected by the changes in SSI disability for children with emotional or behavioral disabilities.

View a pdf | Contact Kathy Lazear for more information

Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 1: Managed care design & financing. (2002)

Pires, S.A (2002). Health care reform tracking project (HCRTP): Promising approaches for behavioral health services to children and adolescents and their families in managed care systems — 1: Managed care design & financing. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (FMHI Publication #211-1)

Summary: Promising Approaches Series #1: Managed Care Design & Financing describes seven managed care design and financing approaches that were identified as incorporating features that support effective service delivery for children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families. They include three statewide approaches focused on a total population of children and four local approaches focused on subsets of the total population.

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Recommendations for Improvement by State Mental Health Commissions (2002)

Friedman, R. (2002). Child and adolescent mental health: Recommendations for improvement by state mental health commissions. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: Between June, 1997, and October, 2001, commissions in 13 states issued reports on the status of mental health in their state, and needed improvements. The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute convened a meeting in St. Petersburg, FL, on January 28-29, 2002, to review the findings from these commission reports for the purpose of identifying their primary policy implications both at the federal and state level of government. The purpose of this report is to identify and summarize the themes that appeared most consistently in the reports. This was done through a review of the content of each of the reports.

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Overview of the National Evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. (2001)

Holden, E. W., R. M. Friedman, & R. L. Santiago (2001). Overview of the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program [Special Issue]. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 9(1), 4-12.

Summary: This lead article to the special issue of the Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders provides an overview of the methodology and status of the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program, conducted by ORC Macro, Inc., in collaboration with the University of South Florida and other partners.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

A Comparison of the Academic Progress of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities and Students with Learning Disabilities. (2001)

Anderson, J. A., Kutash, K., & Duchnowski, A. J. (2001). A comparison of the academic progress of students with emotional and behavioral disabilities and students with learning disabilities. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 9(2), 106-115.

Summary: This article presents findings from a study comparing academic progress over five years for students with emotional and behavioral disorders and students with learning disabilities. Factors related to academic achievement (attendance, behavior offenses, type of special education setting, school mobility and early retention) were examined as to their contribution to achievement over time for these two groups.

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

The Practice of Psychology with Children, Adolescents, and Their Families: A Look to the Future. (2001)

Friedman, R. M. (2001) The practice of psychology with children, adolescents, and their families: A look to the future. In J. N. Hughes, A. M. La Greca, & J. C. Conoley, (Eds.) Handbook of Psychological Services for Children and Adolescents. (pp. 3-22). New York: Oxford University Press.

Summary: This chapter reviews the changes that have been made in the children’s mental health field in the last two decades, and examines some of the challenges that the field now faces. It discusses such issues as systems of care, individualized care, financing of services, accountability, and evidence-based practice.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Improving the Quality of Community-Based Services for Children (2001)

Evans, M. E. (2001). Improving the quality of community-based services for children. In B. Dickey & L. I. Sederer (Eds.), Improving mental healthcare: Commitment to quality. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

Summary: This chapter considers the problem of assessing and improving the quality of intensive case management services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. It identifies the systemic factors contributing to quality services, details the intervention, and describes three methods that the effectiveness of the intervention were assessed. It concludes with recommendations for improving quality of intensive case management services and designing additional services to meet the needs of these children and their families.

| Contact Mary Evans for more information

Environmental Safety and Exposure to Violence of Inner City Children: Children in Psychiatric Crisis (2001)

Boothroyd, R. A. & Evans, M. E. (2001). Environmental safety and exposure to violence of inner city children: Children in psychiatric crisis. International Journal of Anthropology, 16(2-3) 97-209

Summary: The article details environmental safety and exposure to violence in a group of particularly vulnerable children ages 5-18. The approximately 300 children enrolled in this study resided in the Bronx, New York, and presented at a psychiatric emergency room in crisis. This study discusses these children’s level of exposure to violence and unsafe environments, as well as their ratings regarding feelings about safety. Two case studies are presented, along with implications of findings.

| Contact Mary Evans for more information

Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 2000 State Survey. (2001)

Stroul, B.A., Pires, S.A, & Armstrong, M.I. (2001). Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 2000 State Survey. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (New FMHI Publication #212-3, formerly FMHI Publication #198)

Summary:

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

Child and Adolescent Measures of Functional Status. (2000)

Burns, B. J., & Kutash, K. (2000). Child and adolescent measures of functional status. In Handbook of psychiatric measures and outcomes (pp. 357-392). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association

Summary: This chapter provides an overview of the commonly used assessments to measure functioning in children and adolescents. A description of each assessment is provided along with the psychometric properties, estimated time to administer, and the cost. Each measure is evaluated for its components, reliability, validity, and utility, including its strengths and weaknesses. Instruments reviewed include the Child and Adolescent Functioning Assessment Scale (CAFAS) and the Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS).

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

The School and Community Study: Characteristics of Students who have Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities Served in Restructuring Public Schools. (2000)

Kutash, K., Duchnowski, A. J., Robbins, V., Calvanese, P. K., Oliveira, B., Black, M., & Vaughn, D. (2000). The school and community study: Characteristics of students who have emotional and behavioral disabilities served in restructuring public schools. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 9(2), 175-190.

Summary: This article presents preliminary results from an ongoing study of the effects of school reform and restructuring on students with serious emotional and behavioral disabilities (SED). Ten schools, ranging from grades K through 12, were studied with regard to accountability, governance, parent involvement, “includedness,” curriculum and instruction, and pro-social discipline. The schools in this study identify and serve students in special education programs at a higher rate than the national average. While school reforms varied between schools, similar patterns emerged, e.g., “a strong shared value among the staffs of these schools that everyone felt responsible for the education of all children” (p. 18). Methodology of the study is emphasized, and longitudinal studies of the children and their families will continue for two years.

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 1999 Impact Analysis (2000)

Pires, S.A., Stroul, B.A., & Armstrong, M.I. (2000). Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 1999 Impact Analysis. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (New FMHI Publication #213-2, formerly FMHI Publication #183)

Summary:

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

A Conceptual Framework for Developing and Implementing Effective Policy in Children's Mental Health (1999)

Friedman, R. (1999). A conceptual framework for developing and implementing effective policy in children's mental health. Tampa, Florida: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, The Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health.

Summary: The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework, based on the best available research, to guide thinking about the relationship between policy development, policy implementation, systems of care, and outcomes in children's mental health. This framework identifies key questions that need to be addressed by individuals involved in the policy development and implementation process. It was developed with the additional purpose of providing direction for a series of research studies to be conducted by the Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health between 1999 and 2004

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 1997/98 State Survey. (1999)

Pires, S.A., Armstrong, M.I., & Stroul, B.A. (1999). Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 1997/98 State Survey. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (New FMHI Publication #212-2, formerly FMHI Publication #175)

Summary:

View a pdf | Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

The Alternatives to Residential Treatment Study (ARTS): 12 Month Outcomes (1998)

Duchnowski, A. J., Hall, K. S., & Kutash, K. (1998). The Alternatives to Residential Treatment Study (ARTS): 12 month outcomes. In M. H. Epstein, K. Kutash, & A. J. Duchnowski (Eds.), Outcomes for children with emotional and behavioral disorders and their families: Program and evaluation best practices, (pp. 55-80). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.

Summary: This chapter reviews the Alternatives to Residential Treatment Study (ARTS) used to describe children and adolescents served in five innovative programs, and their outcomes over time (one year). Significant similarities and differences between the National Adolescent and Child Treatment Study (NACTS) and the ARTS outcomes are discussed. Findings from both studies reveal a long delay between symptom onset and implementation of comprehensive services, thus having implications for policymakers.

| Contact Albert Duchnowski for more information

The Ecology of Outcomes: System Accountability in Children’s Mental Health (1998)

Hernandez, M., Hodges, S., & Cascardi, M. (1998). The ecology of outcomes: System accountability in children’s mental health. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 25(2), 136-150.

Summary: This article presents the Ecology of Outcomes framework, which provides a foundation for the utilization of information so that outcome information can provide opportunities for learning and self-correction. In this manner, an evaluation that would traditionally be structured as external is integrated into the internal system of service planning and delivery (e.g., by involving stakeholders in identification of desired outcomes). The following components are described: principles of outcome accountability, prerequisites and building blocks, implementation of the outcome information system, and utilization of results. The framework can aid policymakers and administrators in the planning and delivery of services to children and their families.

| Contact Mario Hernandez for more information

Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 1997 Impact Analysis. (1998)

Stroul, B.A., Pires, S.A., & Armstrong, M.I. (1998). Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 1997 Impact Analysis. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (New FMHI Publication #213-1, formerly FMHI Publication #167) No PDF available.

Summary:

Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information

State Health Care Reforms: How They Affect Children and Adolescents with Emotional Disorders and Their Families (1997)

Stroul, B. A., Pires, S. A., Roebuck, L., Friedman, R. M., Barrett, B., Chambers, K. L., & Kershaw, M. A. (1997). State health care reforms: How they affect children and adolescents with emotional disorders and their families. Journal of Mental Health Administration, 24(4), 386-399.

Summary: This article presents baseline results of the Health Care Reform Tracking Project, a national study designed to describe and analyze state health care reforms and their impact on children and adolescents with emotional disorders and their families. The authors examine the nature and extent of health care reforms in which states are engaged and identify trends across states with respect to mental health service delivery for children and adolescents. The article concludes with a discussion of issues and concerns related to mental health service delivery and systems of care for children and adolescents with emotional disorders and their families.

| Contact Beth Stroul for more information

Services and Service Delivery Systems for Children with Serious Emotional Disorders: Issues in Assessing Effectiveness (1997)

Friedman, R. M. (1997). Services and service delivery systems for children with serious emotional disorders: Issues in assessing effectiveness. In C. T. Nixon and D. A. Northup (Eds.), Evaluating mental health services: How do programs for children “work” in the real world? (pp. 16-44). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Summary: This chapter focuses on the many changes in service delivery and systems of care in the children’s mental health field that have occurred since the publication of Knitzer’s Unclaimed Children in 1982 and discusses the role of research and evaluation in bringing about these changes. The author presents a discussion of the challenges inherent in conducting research and evaluation to improve services and systems of care and concludes by advocating for a comprehensive knowledge development strategy in which a broad range of research and evaluation methods are utilized.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Create Comprehensive and Collaborative Systems (1997)

Kutash K., & Duchnowski, A. J. (1997). Create comprehensive and collaborative systems. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 5(2), 65-128.

Summary: The article presents a review of comprehensive and collaborative service systems for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families from the advocacy of the 1960s to its current status. A coalition of child-serving agencies (education, mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice), health care, agency practitioners and the families they serve represent these systems. Recommended are strategies for overcoming the challenges of creating and maintaining comprehensive and collaborative systems in Vermont and other state models.

| Contact Krista Kutash for more information

The Evaluation of the Fort Bragg Demonstration Project: An Alternative Interpretation of the Findings (1996)

Friedman, R. M., & Burns, B. J. (1996). The evaluation of the Fort Bragg demonstration project: An alternative interpretation of the findings. Journal of Mental Health Administration, 23(1), 238-136.

Summary: The article offers an interpretation of the findings of the Fort Bragg Demonstration Project evaluation that differs in many important ways from the evaluation results provided in this special issue of the Journal of Mental Health Administration and in a book published by the evaluators. It points out problems associated with the program theory used by the evaluation team to illustrate how the intended intervention is expected to lead to the major outcomes.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

National Adolescent and Child Treatment Study (NACTS): Outcomes for Children with Serious Emotional and Behavioral Disturbance (1996)

Greenbaum, P. E., Dedrick, R. F., Friedman, R. M., Kutash, K., Brown, E. C., Lardieri, S. P., & Pugh, A. (1996). National Adolescent and Child Treatment Study (NACTS): Outcomes for children with serious emotional and behavioral disturbance. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 4(3), 130-146.

Summary: This article describes the results of a seven-year longitudinal study designed to gather information on the demographics and family characteristics, level of psychological and adaptive functioning, services received, and outcomes of children with serious emotional disturbances.

| Contact Paul Greenbaum for more information

Serving Youth With Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems (1996)

Petrilla, A., Foster-Johnson, L, &. Greenbaum, P. E. (1996). Serving youth with mental health and substance abuse problems. In B. A. Stroul (Ed.), Children’s mental health: Creating systems of care (pp. 493-512). Baltimore: Paul Brookes.

Summary: This chapter reviews issues central to understanding adolescents with co-occurring alcohol and other drug use and mental health disorders and notes that co-occurrence is “as prevalent among adolescents as it is among adults” (p. 493). The special characteristics of this adolescent population are discussed in detail and existing treatment programs are reviewed. The need for treatment strategies that integrate mental health and substance abuse programs is emphasized, and unique and innovative treatment approaches are summarized.

View a pdf | Contact Paul Greenbaum for more information

Co-occurring Addictive and Mental Disorders Among Adolescents: Prevalence Research and Future Directions (1996)

Greenbaum, P. E., Foster-Johnson, L., & Petrilla, A. (1996). Co-occurring addictive and mental disorders among adolescents: Prevalence research and future directions. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 66, 52-60.

Summary: This article reviews existing literature on the prevalence of adolescents with co-occurring addictive and mental disorders (COAMD), and emphasizes the need for adolescent COAMD assessment practices that differ methodologically and conceptually from assessment of adults with COAMD. The authors find a wide variability in prevalence, but also note some emerging patterns in the literature, e.g., that conduct disorder and depression are the two most frequently reported co-occurring mental disorders among adolescents with COAMD. Noting that relatively little is known about this population of adolescents, the authors suggest that future studies ought to develop psychometrically valid and reliable assessment instruments, use general population samples, and explore differences between adolescents with COAMD and those with a single-disorder.

| Contact Paul Greenbaum for more information

Prevalence of Serious Emotional Disturbance in Children and Adolescents (1996)

Friedman, R. M., Katz-Leavy, J. W., Manderscheid, R., & Sondheimer, D. (1996). Prevalence of Serious Emotional Disturbance in Children and Adolescents. In R. Manderscheid and M. Sonnenschein (Eds.) Mental Health, United States: 1996 (pp. 71-89). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, DHHS Publication Number (SMA)96-3098.

Summary: This chapter presents the findings of a group of technical experts who met to consider estimation methodologies for establishing prevalence of children with serious emotional disturbance. The chapter consists of the definition of serious emotional disturbance developed by the Center for Mental Health Services, a discussion of how this definition was operationalized, the general approach used to develop the estimation methodology, the data bases used, and the findings from these data bases. The report concludes with a recommendation for an estimation methodology, a discussion of important gaps in the existing knowledge base, and suggestions for addressing these limitations.

View a pdf | Contact Robert Friedman for more information

The Fort Bragg Study: What Can We Conclude? (1996)

Friedman, R. M. (1996). The Fort Bragg study: What can we conclude? Journal of Child and Family Studies, 5(2), 161-168.

Summary: While the thoroughness of the research and outcomes of the evaluation of the CHAMPUS demonstration project at Fort Bragg was a heroic effort in gathering information on multiple facets of systems of care, the complexity of the project left many questions unanswered. This paper addresses some of those questions as well as possible steps that could have been taken to anticipate and provide answers to new questions and/or problems that a study of this magnitude might produce.

| Contact Robert Friedman for more information

Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 1995 State Survey. (1996)

Pires, S.A., Stroul, B.A., Roebuck, L., Friedman, R.M., & Chambers, K.L. (1996). Health care reform tracking project: Tracking state health care reforms as they affect children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders and their families — 1995 State Survey. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI), Research and Training Center for Children’s Mental Health. (New FMHI Publication #212-1, formerly FMHI Publication #212) No PDF available, out of print.

Summary:

Contact Mary I. Armstrong for more information