Developing a Needs Assessment Process to Address Gaps in a Local System of Care
Author ORCID Identifier
M. Courtney Hughes: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8699-5701
Publication Title
Community Mental Health Journal
ISSN
00103853
E-ISSN
15732789
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Early diagnosis and access to behavioral health services can improve the health outcomes for young children suffering from mental illness. Often, children and their families' behavioral health needs are not met due to a broken local system of care. Developing a deep understanding of the situation by exploring all stakeholders' needs across a community in conjunction with a comprehensive review of the existing scientific literature prepared one rural midwestern county to build a better local system of care. This study's unique aspects include visual mapping using art in focus groups and close collaboration between a public mental health board, academic faculty, student researchers, local behavioral health organizations, and schools. Major themes found about the existing barriers were dysfunctional patterns in families, lack of resources, reliance on the school system, and lack of access to healthcare professionals. Other communities can use this approach as a model for a local needs assessment.
First Page
1329
Last Page
1337
Publication Date
10-1-2022
DOI
10.1007/s10597-022-00940-y
PubMed ID
35072911
Keywords
Children, Community-based participatory research, Mental illness, Parent support, Qualitative research, Visual mapping
Recommended Citation
Hughes, M. Courtney; Spana, Ethan; and Cada, Deanna, "Developing a Needs Assessment Process to Address Gaps in a Local System of Care" (2022). NIU Bibliography. 9.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/niubib/9
Department
School of Health Studies
