title: Defining community readiness for the implementation of a system of care.
abstract: Developing systems of care for children with emotional disorders requires changes in the organization and delivery of services. Using concept mapping, the authors conducted a study to define factors of a community's readiness to make such changes. Participants were from 25 of 27 federally-funded, advanced sites, plus a panel of experts. The participants completed three tasks: brainstorming, rating, and sorting. This process produced eight factors: Leadership, Network of Local Partners, Shared Goals, Collaboration, Families and Youth as Partners, Accountability, Evaluation, and Plans to Expand Services. Understanding factors that contribute to successful implementation should help communities identify and make needed changes.
authors.affiliation: Child and Family Program Strategies, Durham, NC 27705, USA. lbehar@nc.rr.com
authors.forename: Lenore B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Behar
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Hydaker
mesh_terms: D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005376:Financial Management / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007857:Leadership; D009937:Organizational Objectives / Q000191:economics; D012941:Social Responsibility; D014481:United States