A NATIONAL SURVEY OF STATE MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY PROGRAMS AND POLICIES FOR CLIENTS WHO ARE PARENTS: A DECADE LATER (original) (raw)

The Responsiveness of State Mental Health Authorities to Parents with Mental Illness

Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 2000

The majority of adults with serious mental illness living in the community are parents, many of whom may be receiving services from State Mental Health Authorities. Innovative intervention approaches are available to improve outcomes for these parents and their children. An understanding of factors related to SMHA responsiveness to clients who are parents suggests strategies for policy and program development. Quantitative analyses of SMHA-and state-level data, and qualitative interviews of administrators, service providers, and consumers underscore the importance of organizational structure and philosophy, an advocacy presence, and available funding to SMHA efforts on behalf of parents and their families.

A Qualitative Study of Programs for Parents with Serious Mental Illness and Their Children: Building Practice-Based Evidence

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 2007

The rationale for the development of effective programs for parents with serious mental illness and their children is compelling. Using qualitative methods and a grounded theory approach with data obtained in site visits, seven existing programs for parents with mental illness and their children in the United States are described and compared across core components: target population, theory and assumptions, funding, community and agency contexts, essential services and intervention strategies, moderators, and outcomes. The diversity across programs is strongly complemented by shared characteristics, the identification of which provides the foundation for future testing and the development of an evidence base. Challenges in program implementation and sustainability are identified. Qualitative methods are useful, particularly when studying existing programs, in taking steps toward building the evidence base for effective programs for parents with serious mental illness and their children.

A survey of programs for parents with mental illness and their families: Identifying common elements to build the evidence base

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research

Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions for families living with parental mental illness. Existing interventions offer information about successfully implemented treatments, which may demonstrate effectiveness in research. In the current study, directors of programs for parents with mental illness and their families were interviewed. Qualitative analyses revealed noteworthy similarities with respect to target population; funding; community context; agency context; mission, theoretical orientation, and assumptions; locus of care and essential services; desired outcomes; and moderators. Program similarities were identified to provide parameters for research, and to contribute to the development of testable hypotheses. Family-centered, strengths-based approaches were identified across program directors as critical to intervention success.

Community mental health care for women with severe mental illness who are parents

Community mental health journal, 2002

Women with SMI are involved in childbearing and childrearing, but may have problems with parenting related to symptoms, lack of knowledge and skills, or lack of environmental supports. They may need intensive services to manage their mental illness and to parent to the best of their abilities. Preliminary research suggests that mental health interventions can improve family functioning, but that these services are not widely available in community mental health systems. This paper describes services to help clients who are parents, which includes integration of adult's and children's services, long-term, home-based parent training, and linkage with community supports.