IMPROVE: Intervention for Multisector Health Provider Enhancement—Child Welfare
 

Principal Investigator: Arlene Rubin Stiffman, PhD
Funder: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH - R34 MH072871).
Timeframe: Funded 12/04-02/09.
Affiliation: Comorbidity and Addictions Center (CAC) and Center for Mental Health Services Research (CMHSR)
 

Project Staff: Wendy Auslander, PhD, Investigator

                       Brett Drake, PhD, Investigator

                       Deni Carise, PhD, Consultant

                       David Gustafson, MD, Consultant

                       Bernice Pescosolido, PhD, Consultant

                       Kirk Foster, MDiv, MSW, Project Coordinator

                       Peter Dore, MA, Database Manager

                       Laura Yan, BA, Data Manager

                       Melissa Hensley, NIMH pre-doctoral trainee.

 

Participating Organizations:

Children's Division, Department of Social Services (City of St. Louis, MO)

United Way of Greater St. Louis

Project Contact: Kirk Foster, MDiv, MSW

                            Phone:  (314) 935-9643

                            kaf3@wustl.edu

 

Project Update as of  04/08/2009
Accomplishments:
- Completed pilot work on intervention study providing area providers with Palm hand held computers for screening youths and for finding referral resources for (and their parents') problems or skill development
- United Way has agreed to be a partner in the study
- Brief screener developed and tested based on items from CBCL that are related to diagnostic categories
- DSS is a committed study partner

Description (Project Aims):

This project developed and evaluated the impact of an experimental intervention by giving nonspecialty providers a programmed handheld computer that allowed assessment and referral activities while in the field. The software contains a brief and user-friendly youth assessment linked to a directory of services. These services were keyed to a list of problems and strengths either accessed directly by the provider, or indicated by meeting assessment criteria.

Progress to Date
- Refined the study methods and piloted the involvement of stakeholders in the development of the handheld decision support system.
- Developed handheld program with input from stakeholders.

Total Direct Cost: $450,000