Information sharing between the child welfare and behavioral health systems: Perspectives from four stakeholder groups |
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| Authors: | Sophia H. J. Hwang Cynthia J. Mollen Katherine S. Kellom Susan L. Dougherty Kathleen G. Noonan |
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| Affiliation: | 1. PolicyLab, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;2. Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;3. Master in Public Health Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
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| Abstract: | This qualitative study articulates the challenges, best practices, and facilitators to information sharing when addressing the behavioral health needs of children in out-of-home care. 13 interviews and nine focus groups were conducted to illuminate the perspectives of foster parents, mental health clinicians, provider agency social workers, and city-employed child welfare professionals. In total, 65 individuals participated in this qualitative study and data were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results indicate that challenges and best practices in cross-system information sharing articulated across the four stakeholder groups are attributed to variation in information accessibility, clarity in roles and protocols, ability in obtaining signatures for consent/release forms, and attitudinal differences towards collaboration. Implications to improve policy and practice are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Information sharing qualitative analysis social work and mental health policy systems collaboration |
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