Project Details
RRTC for Children's Mental Health Study 6: The Family Voice Study: Assessing the Role of Family Organizations in Developing Family Voice in Systems of Care
Description
The theoretical framework of the Center postulates that there are certain system implementation factors which, when put into practice within communities, contribute to establishing well-functioning systems of care for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families; one of those factors concerns family voice and choice. Examining the role of family organizations in developing family voice in systems of care will produce new knowledge and increase our understanding of how a strong family voice, as represented through family organizations, contributes to the development of effective systems of care. Through a systematic examination of family organizations focused on their external and internal characteristics, and through the influence of systems of care partners, this study will identify and describe key relationships, processes, and structures that impact family voice and choice. The study will also identify measurable factors that facilitate the active and influential inclusion of family voices in systems of care activities so that necessary transformation of the system can occur.
Case studies will be conducted in eight communities, selected through the survey, and divided into four groups of two communities each:
(a) established family organizations with developed systems of care,
(b) established family organizations with developing systems of care,
(c) developing family organizations with established systems of care, and
(d) developing family organizations with developing systems of care. Four research questions drive this study:
* What factors support or impede developing and sustaining family organizations within the context of systems of care?
* How do family organizations contribute to the implementation of local systems of care?
* How do family organizations contribute to the sustainability of local systems of care?
* How are the systems of care implementation factors understood and operationalized from the perspectives of family organizations?
To capture the complexity of family organizations, the study will use both a national survey and embedded case study design to provide important knowledge on family-run organizations. Information will be gathered on the status of such organizations nationwide, and on the processes they use at different developmental stages to strengthen their internal mechanisms, to work with other organizations within a system of care, and to positively impact the system of care.
An integral component of the study design will be community partnership in the data collection, analysis, and report writing. Furthermore, to enhance the validity of the instruments, all protocols and instruments will be pilot tested at a local system of care community and family organization. Network analysis also will be conducted to measure centrality and network connectivity across the systems of care. The network study will focus on information flow and inter-organizational links. This analysis will be useful for improving understanding of inter-organizational relationships and will contribute to knowledge of how family organizations and systems of care interact with and impact one another.
The study will provide new knowledge regarding:
* the factors that contribute to the development and sustainability of an effective family organization;
* how strong family organizations are linked to effective and integrated systems of care;
* the structures, processes, and relationships of family organizations in systems of care; and,
* recommended methods that family organizations can use to help bring about system transformation.
Related Publications
Asset-Based Approaches for LGBTQI2-S Youth and Families in Systems of Care