Abstract
Coordination of mental health services in children with serious emotional disturbance (SED) has shown a preliminary relationship
to positive outcomes in children. Yet, research in this area is sparse. Therefore, the relation between service coordination
activities and adaptive functioning was examined for 51 children SED who were treated in the school-based Intensive Mental
Health Program for elementary school students (IMHP; average treatment length was 12 months; mean age 9.37 at intake). Systematic
review of detailed case records identified 16,669 episodes of service coordination that could be coded reliably for frequency,
quality, and purpose (planning, linking, monitoring) of the service coordination component. Adaptive functioning was measured
by Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) ratings and daily points earned on the behavior management system
of the IMHP at intake, 6, 12 months, and discharge. Findings indicated that the frequency, quality, and purpose of the service
coordination component varied from case to case and by time in treatment. Although service coordination activities overall
decreased as treatment progressed, concentrated high quality service coordination (measured by frequency, quality, and component
of service coordination) consistently predicted improved functioning on both CAFAS ratings and daily points earned. Results
have both practice and policy implications for training interagency teams and clinicians on when and how to optimally coordinate
services.
to positive outcomes in children. Yet, research in this area is sparse. Therefore, the relation between service coordination
activities and adaptive functioning was examined for 51 children SED who were treated in the school-based Intensive Mental
Health Program for elementary school students (IMHP; average treatment length was 12 months; mean age 9.37 at intake). Systematic
review of detailed case records identified 16,669 episodes of service coordination that could be coded reliably for frequency,
quality, and purpose (planning, linking, monitoring) of the service coordination component. Adaptive functioning was measured
by Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) ratings and daily points earned on the behavior management system
of the IMHP at intake, 6, 12 months, and discharge. Findings indicated that the frequency, quality, and purpose of the service
coordination component varied from case to case and by time in treatment. Although service coordination activities overall
decreased as treatment progressed, concentrated high quality service coordination (measured by frequency, quality, and component
of service coordination) consistently predicted improved functioning on both CAFAS ratings and daily points earned. Results
have both practice and policy implications for training interagency teams and clinicians on when and how to optimally coordinate
services.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10826-011-9554-0
- Authors
- Richard W. Puddy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Michael C. Roberts, Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Eric M. Vernberg, Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Erin P. Hambrick, Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Journal Journal of Child and Family Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-2843
- Print ISSN 1062-1024