The research potential of administrative data from state mental health agencies.

Three data sets profiling the organization, financing, and services of state mental health agencies, compiled routinely for all states, were examined to assess their potential for use in mental health policy analyses. Strengths included standardized protocols for compiling data at the state level, a high degree of completeness in two of the data sets, consistency in data definitions over time, and built-in data integrity and editing procedures. Data are aggregated at the state level and lack user-friendly features that facilitate downloading to statistical software. However, potential use of these data as contextual factors in multilevel models makes them an important resource for consideration.

Lessons learned in implementing evidence-based practices: implications for psychiatric administrators.

Factors related to the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) are discussed. Extensive effort is required to successfully implement and sustain EBPs that improve clinical outcomes. There is a rapid rate of discovery of new EBPs. Examples of large-scale implementations of EBPs in mental health are described with emphasis on the factors thought critical for success. The need for designing systems which can cost-effectively implement new EBPs is highlighted. Finally, the implications for psychiatric administrators are discussed.

Factors associated with interagency coordination in a child mental health service system demonstration.

Understanding the determinants of coordination between agencies in children's mental health service systems is important for program planning and evaluation. This article reports on the findings of a multiple regression analysis that examined factors associated with coordination between 63 agencies during a child mental health service demonstration. Greater coordination of activities was significantly associated with dyads that (a) helped each other attain individual agency goals (p<.001), (b) were influential in shaping mental health policy and programs (p<.01), (c) maintained resource linkages over time (p<.001), and (d) operated in the same service sector (p=.01). From a resource dependency perspective, findings suggest that coordination is facilitated when interorganizational relationships fulfill both the internal agency needs for goal attainment and the external needs for exerting control over the larger policy and program environment.

Assessing the implementation and effects of a trauma-focused intervention for youths in residential treatment.

This paper describes methods being used to implement and assess the effects of a trauma-focused intervention in residential treatment programs for youths with emotional and behavioral problems, and histories of maltreatment and exposure to family or community violence. Preliminary baseline profiles of the therapeutic environments and youths are also presented. The intervention, referred to as the Sanctuary Model (Bloom, 1997), is based in social psychiatry, trauma theories, therapeutic community philosophy, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Within the context of safe, supportive, stable, and socially responsible therapeutic communities, a trauma recovery treatment framework is used to teach youths effective adaptation and coping skills to replace nonadaptive cognitive, social, and behavioral strategies that may have emerged earlier as means of coping with traumatic life experiences.