Abstract
This study examined: (1) qualitative aspects of close working relationships between family support organizations and child
mental health agencies, including effective and ineffective characteristics of the relationship and aspects that they would
change, and (2) the impact of the working relationship upon the family support organization. Semi-structured interviews were
conducted with 40 directors of family support organizations characterized as having a close working relationship with a child
mental health agency. Three main themes emerged regarding the quality of the working relationship: (a) interactional factors,
including shared trust, communication, collaboration and service coordination; (b) aspects of the inner context of the family
support organization, mental health agency, or both, including alignment of goals and values and perceptions of mental health
services; and (c) outer contextual factors external to the organizations, such as financial and county regulations. Responses
to the perceived impact of the relationship was divided into two themes: positive impacts (e.g. gained respect, influence
and visibility), and negative impacts (e.g. lack of trust). This study lays the foundation for future research to better understand
the mechanisms underlying interorganizational relationships in communities among different types of providers to create a
more seamless continuum of services for families of children with mental health conditions.
mental health agencies, including effective and ineffective characteristics of the relationship and aspects that they would
change, and (2) the impact of the working relationship upon the family support organization. Semi-structured interviews were
conducted with 40 directors of family support organizations characterized as having a close working relationship with a child
mental health agency. Three main themes emerged regarding the quality of the working relationship: (a) interactional factors,
including shared trust, communication, collaboration and service coordination; (b) aspects of the inner context of the family
support organization, mental health agency, or both, including alignment of goals and values and perceptions of mental health
services; and (c) outer contextual factors external to the organizations, such as financial and county regulations. Responses
to the perceived impact of the relationship was divided into two themes: positive impacts (e.g. gained respect, influence
and visibility), and negative impacts (e.g. lack of trust). This study lays the foundation for future research to better understand
the mechanisms underlying interorganizational relationships in communities among different types of providers to create a
more seamless continuum of services for families of children with mental health conditions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10488-012-0434-8
- Authors
- Mary C. Acri, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, One Park Avenue at East 33rd, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Larry Palinkas, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Kimberly E. Hoagwood, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, One Park Avenue at East 33rd, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Sa Shen, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Diana Schoonover, Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- Jennifer Rolls Reutz, Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- John Landsverk, Child & Adolescent Services Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA
- Journal Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
- Online ISSN 1573-3289
- Print ISSN 0894-587X