Innovative Approaches for Engaging Youth in Systems of Care

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2 Innovative Approaches for Engaging Youth in Systems of Care Presented at the 31st Annual Research and Policy Conference on Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Behavioral Health March 6, 2018 Benedicta Osafo-Darko, MA; Nataly Johanson, BS; Viola Samson, MD; Affoue S. Ayemonche, BS; Chandria D. Jones, PhD, MPH; Abram Rosenblatt, PhD Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, Center for Mental Health Services Kirstin Painter, PhD, SAMHSA Contracting Officer Representative Emily Lichvar, PhD SAMHSA Alternate Contracting Officer Representative

3 Disclaimer The views, opinions, and content expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

4 Purpose of Presentation Identify and describe roles that youth and youth organizations play in SOC expansion efforts Identify the barriers and facilitators of youth involvement in SOC expansion efforts Describe strategies that grantees are using to actively involve youth in their SOCs

5 Methods Data Source Data from the Children s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) National Evaluation of 2013 and 2014 implementation grantees, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Measures Stakeholder Interviews: Qualitative interviews with respondents at programmatic and administrative levels from each grant, focused on implementation plans and activities Self-Assessment of Implementation Survey (SAIS): Quantitative self-report measure of grantee implementation completed by respondents at programmatic and administrative levels

6 Methods Sample 34 grantees funded in FY2013 and FY2014 Respondents Types Project Directors Family Representatives Youth Representatives Mental Health Agency Representative Child Welfare Agency Representative Juvenile Justice Agency Representative Education Agency Representative Other Agency Representatives Local Evaluators

7 Methods Mixed-Methods Approach Stakeholder Interviews Identified 12 questions from the Stakeholder Interview protocol related to youth involvement 182 respondents Thematic analysis of 731 responses Self-Assessment of Implementation Survey (SAIS) Identified 7 questions from the SAIS protocol related to youth involvement 182 respondents

8 Analyses Organized and coded qualitative data using NVivo Examined quantitative data in the SAIS using SAS Calculated frequencies of roles and strategies across all respondents in the SAIS, as well as the distribution of strategies

9 Youth Involvement in SOC

10 1. Youth or Young Adult Voice and Input 2. Advisory Roles 3. SOC Leadership Teams and Other Leadership Roles 4. Decision-Making Roles 5. Management Teams 6. Youth Councils and Stakeholder Teams 7. Youth Peers/Youth Peer Specialists 8. Outreach and Mobilizing Efforts 9. Hiring Teams 10. Training and Technical Assistance 11. Voting Power on Governance Board 12. Planning 13. Meetings 14. Youth Engagement Specialists

11 Youth Participation in SOC Management

12 Barriers to Youth Involvement in SOC No youth or youth organization involvement No formal strategy for youth involvement Youth involvement not a priority Difficulty recruiting and maintaining youth No youth involvement in grant team meetings/management decision making No youth involvement as service providers Transportation Youth voice not being heard

13 Factors That Facilitate Youth Involvement in SOC

14 Youth Involvement Strategies Youth Organizations Youth organizations such as YouthMOVE, Youth United, and ACCEPT Develop programs and activities to keep the youth engaged Act as liaisons to recruit youth to participate in grant activities Develop youth organizations at the local level across the state to get more youth involved Provide training and support to enable youth to be in decision making

15 Ratings of Formal Agreements with Youth Organizations

16 Youth Involvement Strategies Trainings and Educational Opportunities Trainings, Certifications, Internships, Summer Programs, and Other Educational Opportunities for Youth (youth are more interested and involved when it involves professional development) Mental Health First Aid Training Peer Mentoring Training Decision-Making Trainings Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops Leadership Training Youth Engagement Training

17 Youth Involvement Strategies Instrumental Support, Financial Incentives, and Stipends Youth Feedback and Voice Cultural and Linguistic Competence Working with Youth s Schedules Youth Engagement Specialist Focus Groups

18 Youth Involvement Strategies: Instrumental Support

19 Innovative Strategies for Youth Involvement Collaboration with faith-based organizations Youth summer programs/summer employment Recruiting youth who are interested in careers in mental health Co-location with youth organizations Letting youth know they are valued Use of technology to reach youth Youth engagement videos Building trust with youth

20 Summary of Findings and Implications Youth organizations help to increase youth involvement and youth engagement in SOC because they serve as youth: Liaisons Recruiters Trainers Youth are most interested in participation in SOC efforts if it involves: Training and professional development Financial incentives Many youth have advisory roles in their SOC but have no voting power Youth are not often involved in evaluation and data collection efforts