1

Mental Health as a Public Health Issue

Daniel Reimer, MPH, Principal Investigator

Sherwin Daryani, MPH, Project Director

2

Vision: To be the healthiest community in Texas

Mission: To promote and protect the health of our

diverse population

4

Public Health Process

ASSESSMENT

ASSURANCE

POLICY DEVELOPME

NT

5

Core elements of a Public Health Approach

• Conducting surveillance (Assessment)

• Selecting and implementing the appropriate evidence-based program (Policy Development)

• Monitoring and evaluating both the process and outcomes of the program (Assurance)

• Educating professionals and the general public (Clauss-Ehlers, C. & Weist, M, Resilience-Building Prevention Programs that Work, p.2)

6

Promoting protective factors

• Good intellectual functioning

(Individual)

• Close relationships with caring adults (Family)

• Attendance at effective schools (Community)

7

Organizational Intervention

• Project Director to Management Team

• Epidemiology provided Assessment Data

• Outreach connected program to community

• Entire Staff trained in Cultural Competence

• Project Director Aided Strategic Planning

• Collaborated with Mental Health and Primary Care Center

8

Community Solutions and the Mental Health Connection

A Partnership:

Mental Health and Public Health

9

Fort Worth IndependentSchool District

Student

Community Resource Coordination Group

(CRCG)

Community SolutionsClinical Director

Public Health Dept

Family Resource CenterSite Coordinator

Contracted WraparoundFacilitator

Community Agencies

Contact w/Family

Tarrant County Juvenile Services

Community Solutions System of Care

10

System Level GoalsSystems Integration

• MIS, Web Resource Database

• No Wrong Door Training

Interagency Collaboration

• Wraparound contracts

• Mental Health Connection

Services Integration

Wraparound Process

• Training and Infusion

• Sustainability plan

• Family Driven

Case Review Process

• Barrier tracking/removal

• Fidelity

11

Service Level Goals

• Wraparound Fidelity

• Family Driven

• Culturally Competent

• Cost/Benefit Analysis

• Informal/Formal Resource Pool

• Flexible Funding

12

Child Level Goals

• No out of home placement

• Function in the least restrictive educational setting

• Recovery, not just maintenance