Description and outcome evaluation of Jigsaw: an emergent Irish mental health early intervention programme for young people.

OBJECTIVES: Jigsaw is an early intervention mental health service developed by Headstrong which provides support to young people, aged 12-25 years, in 10 communities across Ireland. This study aimed to profile young people who availed of Jigsaw, in one calendar year, and to provide evidence that Jigsaw's model facilitates the reduction of psychological distress. METHODS: Participants were 2420 young people who received support, directly or indirectly, from Jigsaw. Demographic details, including age, gender, presenting issues and referral pathways, captured on the Jigsaw Data System were described and psychological distress was assessed using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE) questionnaires. RESULTS: A gender balance was almost observed and the majority of participants were between 15 and 17 years old. The most common presenting issue was anxiety and the most common referral sources were self, parent, general practitioner, school and Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). Participants reported high levels of psychological distress pre-intervention and levels were significantly lower post intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Although a lack of control group limits interpretation of the study findings, this study provides emerging evidence that Jigsaw is an accessible and effective service which plays a key role in the continuum of mental health care for young people in Ireland.

A qualitative evaluation of school-based family resource and youth service centers.

As part of the Kentucky Education Reform Act, school-based Family Resource/Youth Service Centers were commissioned to address those poverty-related issues that attenuate children and youths' coming to school prepared to learn. The centers had flexible mandates and were to adapt their service profiles to local urban, suburban and rural communities. A variety of grounded, inductive qualitative strategies were employed in an implementation evaluation that yielded profiles or domains of program elements, and descriptions of implementation strategies and impact on participants. These program descriptors were considered accurate by program personnel, formed the basis for training new program coordinators, and have served as reliable predictors of educational outcomes for program participants, thus affirming the utility of the qualitative evaluation approaches.

Service coordination in mental health systems for children, youth, and families: progress, problems, prospects.

The present article focuses on critical issues in the provision of service coordination to children and youth with serious emotional disabilities (SED) and their families, particularly those concerns most relevant to program organization and administration. Perspectives and issues gleaned from a review of evaluative data, focus group discussions with service coordinators and their supervisors, and clinical and administrative experience within a statewide SED initiative are considered in three areas: (1) roles, responsibilities, and relationships; (2) organizational context; and (3) training and supervision. Recommendations for enhancement of child, youth, and family mental health service coordination are provided.

Program planning and evaluation: principles and procedures for nurse managers.

This article provides an overview of essential principles and procedures of program planning and evaluation. The relevance of these concepts to the task of health and nursing care is discussed in terms of three primary evaluation domains: (1) estimating need and designing evaluable programs; (2) determining the extent of program implementation; and (3) assessing program-related outcomes. The article has relevance for nurse managers concerned with programmatic decision making and accountability.