H3: Healthy Minds, Healthy Children, Healthy Chicago Project Evaluation

The goal of this project is to develop and pilot test a community-based integrated care model to improve the prevention, early detection and treatment of child mental health problems that is replicable, effective, and sustainable. Project procedures include child mental health screening, on-site brief mental health interventions, referral to specialty mental health, use of co-located child psychiatrist, detection of need for primary care in specialty mental health program. Subjects will be enrolled for 1 year, with interviews at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months. Dr. Bonnie Zima at UCLA has been contracted by the project funder to design and implement the evaluation of the project, which includes developing data collection procedures, training staff on implementation of data collection workflow, coordinating with sites to ensure evaluation design and IRB protocols are followed, and coordinating with both study sites to verify data reliability. Some potential anticipated risks include being uncomfortable answering questions associated with the measures used in the study, and although unlikely, someone may access participant information that is confidential. Some benefits include helping to find ways to improve how to deliver mental health care for children served in publicly-funded primary care and mental health clinics.