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• 1. [Article] A qualitative assessment of Clark County's mental health delivery system

  During the past several years, service delivery for mental health in Clark County has changed dramatically. The increase in funding from the federal government in the 1960's, the trend toward de-institutionalization, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A qualitative assessment of Clark County's mental health delivery system Author: Hutchison, John L. Year: 1976 During the past several years, service delivery for mental health in Clark County has changed dramatically. The increase in funding from the federal government in the 1960's, the trend toward de-institutionalization, the emphasis on local control and administration, the proliferation of service agencies and types of programs, and the increase in demand for mental health services, has created the complex, multi-dimensional, multi-funded "system" called the mental health system. This increased complexity in the service delivery system has resulted in confusion among decision makers, consumers, providers of service, and the community at large. This confusion has manifested itself in a call for accountability. For local agencies receiving federal funds, accountability has been primarily an audit function. With respect to private agencies receiving private donations, accountability has been limited to budget presentations and rudimentary data collection, i.e., numbers served, client/staff ratios, program utilization by clients and the like. In general, no systematic, continous effort has been made to develop a full range of program evaluation accessible to decision makers, consumers, providers of service, and the community at large. In addition to the influence on the mental health system due to the increasing demands for accountability, elected officials are often becoming administrators of mental health funds. This increase in the span of control of elected officials has created greater visibility for their positions, thus bringing pressure from consumers as well as the community at large, to the mental health system. Recognizing the above trends in mental health care, the Clark County Commissioners contracted with the Health and Welfare Planning Council (HWPC) to investigate and provide information describing the nature of the mental health service delivery system in Clark County, and to report this information to the Commissioners and the community at large. In addition, the study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of that system in the delivery of service. Title: A qualitative assessment of Clark County's mental health delivery system Author: Hutchison, John L. Year: 1976 During the past several years, service delivery for mental health in Clark County has changed dramatically. The increase in funding from the federal government in the 1960's, the trend toward de-institutionalization, the emphasis on local control and administration, the proliferation of service agencies and types of programs, and the increase in demand for mental health services, has created the complex, multi-dimensional, multi-funded "system" called the mental health system. This increased complexity in the service delivery system has resulted in confusion among decision makers, consumers, providers of service, and the community at large. This confusion has manifested itself in a call for accountability. For local agencies receiving federal funds, accountability has been primarily an audit function. With respect to private agencies receiving private donations, accountability has been limited to budget presentations and rudimentary data collection, i.e., numbers served, client/staff ratios, program utilization by clients and the like. In general, no systematic, continous effort has been made to develop a full range of program evaluation accessible to decision makers, consumers, providers of service, and the community at large. In addition to the influence on the mental health system due to the increasing demands for accountability, elected officials are often becoming administrators of mental health funds. This increase in the span of control of elected officials has created greater visibility for their positions, thus bringing pressure from consumers as well as the community at large, to the mental health system. Recognizing the above trends in mental health care, the Clark County Commissioners contracted with the Health and Welfare Planning Council (HWPC) to investigate and provide information describing the nature of the mental health service delivery system in Clark County, and to report this information to the Commissioners and the community at large. In addition, the study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of that system in the delivery of service. Close

• 2. [Article] The utilization of aides in public welfare; analysis, evaluation, and proposal

  The purpose of this project was to trace the developments which led to the utilization of para-profess iona1 persons as service aides in public welfare departments and to examine, in particular, the developments ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The utilization of aides in public welfare; analysis, evaluation, and proposal Author: Robinson, Leonard Mark, Youngstrom, Shirley Ann Year: 1971 The purpose of this project was to trace the developments which led to the utilization of para-profess iona1 persons as service aides in public welfare departments and to examine, in particular, the developments in Oregon at the state and county levels. The establishment of such programs was mandated in the Social Security Amendments of 1967. A review of the 1967 legislation showed the legislative intent to be inconsistent with the stated purposes of the program. This inconsistency, it was found, has been reflected in Oregon’s aide program. The theoretical origins underlying the aide concept were also examined in order to provide a fuller understanding of the means which were finally selected in Oregon to meet the legislative requirements. The aide program which evolved in Oregon has been marked by confusion in two major areas, the establishment of goals and the definition of roles. Specific problems which emerged within these two areas were analyzed in detail with special attention being given to the progress which has been made. To conclude, a theoretical model for the utilization of aides was proposed. While limited by its generality, the model does delineate the objectives which are considered essential to the establishment of an aide program based upon the research which was done in conjunction with this study. Title: The utilization of aides in public welfare; analysis, evaluation, and proposal Author: Robinson, Leonard Mark, Youngstrom, Shirley Ann Year: 1971 The purpose of this project was to trace the developments which led to the utilization of para-profess iona1 persons as service aides in public welfare departments and to examine, in particular, the developments in Oregon at the state and county levels. The establishment of such programs was mandated in the Social Security Amendments of 1967. A review of the 1967 legislation showed the legislative intent to be inconsistent with the stated purposes of the program. This inconsistency, it was found, has been reflected in Oregon’s aide program. The theoretical origins underlying the aide concept were also examined in order to provide a fuller understanding of the means which were finally selected in Oregon to meet the legislative requirements. The aide program which evolved in Oregon has been marked by confusion in two major areas, the establishment of goals and the definition of roles. Specific problems which emerged within these two areas were analyzed in detail with special attention being given to the progress which has been made. To conclude, a theoretical model for the utilization of aides was proposed. While limited by its generality, the model does delineate the objectives which are considered essential to the establishment of an aide program based upon the research which was done in conjunction with this study. Close

• 3. [Article] The Politics of Data: Uncovering Whiteness in Conventional Social Policy and Social Work Research

  The implementation of a robust community based participatory research (CBPR) study in Multnomah County, Oregon, has detailed broad and deep racial disparities across 27 institutions and systems. The process ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Politics of Data: Uncovering Whiteness in Conventional Social Policy and Social Work Research Author: Curry-Stevens, Ann, Cross-Hemmer, Amanda, Maher, Nichole, Meier, Julia Year: 2011 The implementation of a robust community based participatory research (CBPR) study in Multnomah County, Oregon, has detailed broad and deep racial disparities across 27 institutions and systems. The process of this research has led to the identification of numerous practices that misrepresent and negate the experiences and very identity of communities of color. The research draws from engagement with numerous databases from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and various administrative databases. The core issues at hand are population undercounts, understudy of the unique characteristics of these communities, inaccuracies in how data are codified and analyzed, and data collection efforts that are infused with white centrism and a colorblindness that renders issues minimized and the experiences of communities of color obscured. Collectively, we analyze this experience to suggest that much conventional policy research while wrapped in a cloak of objectivity is in fact a reproduction of whiteness that renders communities of color invisible, marginalized and misunderstood. The impact of these practices is to extend whiteness into the arena of policy research, and correspondingly extend dynamics of oppression and white centrism. The paper profiles each area of the policy research process that reflects and reinscribes whiteness and concludes with an articulation the reach of such conventional practice and outlines an avenue to reduce the influence of whiteness. Title: The Politics of Data: Uncovering Whiteness in Conventional Social Policy and Social Work Research Author: Curry-Stevens, Ann, Cross-Hemmer, Amanda, Maher, Nichole, Meier, Julia Year: 2011 The implementation of a robust community based participatory research (CBPR) study in Multnomah County, Oregon, has detailed broad and deep racial disparities across 27 institutions and systems. The process of this research has led to the identification of numerous practices that misrepresent and negate the experiences and very identity of communities of color. The research draws from engagement with numerous databases from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and various administrative databases. The core issues at hand are population undercounts, understudy of the unique characteristics of these communities, inaccuracies in how data are codified and analyzed, and data collection efforts that are infused with white centrism and a colorblindness that renders issues minimized and the experiences of communities of color obscured. Collectively, we analyze this experience to suggest that much conventional policy research while wrapped in a cloak of objectivity is in fact a reproduction of whiteness that renders communities of color invisible, marginalized and misunderstood. The impact of these practices is to extend whiteness into the arena of policy research, and correspondingly extend dynamics of oppression and white centrism. The paper profiles each area of the policy research process that reflects and reinscribes whiteness and concludes with an articulation the reach of such conventional practice and outlines an avenue to reduce the influence of whiteness. Close