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Special Projects
Each year, CST implements a number of special projects whose purpose is to concentrate on specific services and populations as well as gather pertinent information about what is effective and what may need improvement. Special projects are also created in keeping up with the changes in the DBH where CST will concentrate on new and different initiatives being introduced by the DBH and implemented by providers. These intensive, time-consuming initiatives have proven to be extremely beneficial to consumers, family members, providers of service and the DBH as data is collected and assessed to afford the most effective ways to provide service and treatment.
The project teams meet on a weekly basis and formulate the processes of how each project is executed. The team decides on the focus of the project, which questions will be asked, the format of written reports and how data will be collected. Once the process is clear, the team creates a comprehensive powerpoint presentation for the remaining CST staff to fully explain how the project is to be implemented. All information collected from each specific project is then compiled into a written summary of the findings.
In 2010, CST undertook four special projects; following is a synopsis of each of this year’s special projects.
Provider Specific Recovery Assessment
During the months of December 2009 through June 2010 CST engaged in a six month multi-provider MH residential project to ascertain from consumers and staff their assessment of the transformation of MH residential services. CST visited 23 MH provider agencies, a total of 104 sites and encountered a total of 637 consumers and 211 staff. Consumers and staff were queried on how the concept of recovery has been introduced to them, if community activities are encouraged, if crisis plans are in place, and if family inclusion is promoted.
Family Project
This year, CST made a gallant effort to connect with family members, who are often hard to reach. CST staff were required to call 15 service providers a month to learn whether they were planning any family events; staff took family surveys with them on site visits in the event families were encountered. CST also left surveys with site staff, who in return, mailed or faxed completed surveys back to CST. CST made 14 visits to agency-sponsored events for family members, many of which occurred on weekends or evenings. 535 family members were interviewed using a six-question survey. Questions related to if family members felt that their loved one’s level of independence increased, if their loved ones are involved in community activities as part of the services they receive, if the family member felt if they had a role in those services, and to ascertain the family member’s definition of recovery. Of those interviewed, 185 had family members receiving adult mental health services, 225 had family members receiving substance abuse or co-occurring services, and 125 had family members receiving child/adolescent behavioral health services. In line with the DBH’s practice guidelines for integrated models of behavioral health care, CST would like to recognize the following providers for their assistance in obtaining feedback from family members: CATCH, The Wedge, COMHAR, CAACY, RHD, Community Council, Foundations, Belmont, Keystone Center, PATH, Genesis II, NECC, Gaudenzia and Self Help Movement.
Day Programs: Pre-transformation
Because Philadelphia has moved into a transition period in which traditional day programs are being transformed into recovery-focused day programs, CST initiated a project a few years ago to visit partial programs involved in this change. As there are new partial programs that are transitioning, CST implemented this project again over the course of this year and visited nine partial programs and interviewed consumers and staff to ascertain their feelings on the upcoming program changes. CST surveyed 202 consumers and 38 staff members. Both consumers and staff members were queried on their expectations of the new services model as well as what they like about their current program. CST will revisit these programs to ascertain from the consumers and staff their feelings on the transformation of services.
Forensic Re-Entry
In order to successfully execute this project, CST had to gain access into the Philadelphia Prison System. Permission was granted to CST by Commissioner Giorlo to interview incarcerated consumers who receive Targeted Case Management (TCM) services. CST visited with 25 TCM consumers and asked them about CM visitation, if their medical needs are being addressed, if they feel that there is collaboration between the prison social worker and their case manager and about their discharge plans. CST intends to track these consumers into the community once they are discharged.
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