Systems of Care: New Partnerships for Community Psychology

Abstract

For almost two decades, the federal government has supported the development of integrated models of mental health service delivery for children and families, known as systems of care (SOCs), that strive to be child-centered, family-focused, community-based, and culturally competent. These efforts align well with the values and principles (e.g., empowerment, collaboration, strengths emphasis, focus on macro-level social/system change) central to community psychology (CP; Kloos et al. in Community psychology, Cengage Learning, Belmont, 2012). Despite the convergence of many core values, CPs have historically been underrepresented in key roles in SOC initiatives. However, this has changed in recent years, with increasing examples of community psychology skills and principles applied to the development, implementation, and evaluation of SOCs. Because successful and sustainable implementation of SOCs requires community and system-level change, and SOCs are increasingly being urged to adopt a stronger "public health" orientation (Miles et al. in A public health approach to children's mental health: a conceptual framework, Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health, Washington, DC, 2010), there is great potential for CPs to play important roles in SOCs. This paper discusses opportunities and roles for CPs in SOCs in applied research and evaluation, community practice, and training.

The Relation of Exposure to Traumatic Events and Longitudinal Mental Health Outcomes for Children Enrolled in Systems of Care: Results from a National System of Care Evaluation

“…In this issue, Cook and Kilmer (2012) highlight the need for greater research using data from the underutilized CMHS National Evaluation to examine behavioral health effects in children and families, particularly those who have experienced traumatic stress. Such research has the potential to identify gaps in SOC functioning and contribute to policy-oriented recommendations to enhance these effects for youth at significant risk of adverse trajectories due to traumatic experiences (Cook & Kilmer, 2012). This study seeks to address this gap in the literature by examining the role of trauma on the trajectories of clinical and functional outcomes for children in SOCs.…”

Conceptual foundations of inclusive systems in and around schools for early school leaving prevention: An emotional-relational focus

“…However, this broader environmental model that concerns itself with resilient systems does not include a focus on State systemic supports, such as integrated services (Edwards & Downes, 2013) or developing inclusive systems of care as sought in community psychology (Cook &Kilmer, 2012;Suarez et al, 2012). Ungar's (2012) systemic broadening of Rutter's resilience needs to go further in its systemic concerns to also include a focus on outreach to marginalised families (Downes, 2017), whether as individual or community outreach (Downes, 2014a).…”

“…System fragmentation is a neglected feature in Bronfenbrenner's accounts (Downes, 2014), while the increasing interest in analysing systems of care in community psychology (Cook &Kilmer, 2012;Suarez et al, 2012) reveals a FOR EARLY SCHOOL LEAVING PREVENTION: AN EMOTIONALRELATIONAL FOCUS frequent concern to address issues of inertia and fragmentation. An important aspect of a framework of inclusive systems overcoming fragmentation is that problems that may be treated as largely distinct when viewed from the perspective of individuals may be addressed through common supports when examined with a systemic lens.…”

Unique System of Care Issues and Challenges in Serving Children Under Age 3 and their Families

“…The infant family mental health philosophy has long embraced key elements seen in the wraparound process used in many systems of care programs (see Cook and Kilmer 2011). These elements include a strength-based, individualized approach that is family-driven, community-based, culturally competent, and collaborative Friedman 1986, 1996;.…”

“…The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has provided federal leadership in funding comprehensive models of mental health services Cook and Kilmer 2011). During the past six years, SAMHSA has significantly expanded funding for its Children's Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) to include more community-based system of care (SOC) services to children under the age of five.…”