TEAMS R34 #1 After-Action Reviews in Child Welfare Services

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · Nov 16, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The TEAMS R34 #1 trial is looking to improve how children in the Child Welfare Services (CWS) system receive mental health support. The goal is to make sure that when child and family team (CFT) meetings happen, everyone involved—especially children and their families—can share their thoughts and feelings. By using a method called After Action Review (AAR), the trial aims to enhance these meetings so that families feel more satisfied and involved in the decision-making process for their children's care. This should lead to better follow-through on action plans and more successful connections to mental health services for children.

To participate in this trial, individuals must meet certain criteria. For example, CWS leaders or caseworkers need to be employed in specific roles and plan to stay in their positions for at least six months. Parents or caregivers must have a child aged 6-17 with an open CWS case, and the initial CFT meeting should not have occurred yet. Participants can expect to engage in discussions that include their perspectives, which will help shape the services their children receive. This trial is currently recruiting participants who speak English or Spanish, and it aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in need of mental health support.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Inclusion Criteria for CWS leaders and/or caseworkers
• • 1. (For leaders) Employed as one of several CWS leadership positions: CWS Director, CWS Deputy Director, CWS Regional Manager; (For caseworkers) Employed as a caseworker in one of the two participating regions for the proposed study.
• • 2. Plans to remain employed for at least six months beyond study initiation
• • 3. Speaks English or Spanish
• • Inclusion Criteria for formal and informal CFT members
• • 1. Member of CFT with one of the participating CWS caseworkers. CFT members can include mental health services provider, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), educational representative, and other supports
• • 2. Speaks English or Spanish
• • Inclusion Criteria for parents/caregivers with active CWS cases
• • 1. Parent/caregiver of child aged 6-17 with an open CWS case
• • 2. Initial CFT meeting for open CWS case has not yet been held (Aim 3)
• • 3. Speaks English or Spanish
• • Inclusion Criteria for children with active CWS cases (for mental health service linkage data extraction only\*)
• • 1. Child aged 6-17 with an open CWS case
• • 2. Mental health services need/s (identified by the CWS caseworker via CANS screening in advance of the initial CFT meeting, during which consensus is reached regarding the Action Plan and service referral)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Individuals who do not meet inclusion criteria are not eligible to participate in this study.