Successful Program Integration

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Susan B. Spencer, Susan B. Spencer, Inc.Follow

Location

Scarbrough 3

Strand #1

Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Safety & Violence Prevention

Relevance

The overall success of either strand, may be dependent upon the successful integration and utilization of other service providers. For example, schools may wish to offer mental health services but be unable to hire staff due to budget concerns. They may choose to partner with a mental health agency for this service. The success of this venture will be impacted by a number of factors. This presentation will focus on how to help make these ventures more successful.

Brief Program Description

The presentation will focus on what elements can be developed which make a collaborative effort successful. A program which focused on the integration of the HIV and DV systems will be used as an example of how to successfully integrate programs. The objectives are :

1. participants will identify at least 2 ways to begin integration

2. participants will be able to discuss 2 ways to manage problems associated with efforts to integrate.

The presentation will include discussion with participants as well as a more formal presentation of content.

Summary

With the reality of budgets, many providers have found the need to partner with other agencies to best address the needs of clients and students. While the goal is admirable and necessary, it is often unsuccessful or underutilized. This presentation will explore some of the reasons these efforts fail; but will also identify necessary elements and steps which can enhance the collaboration efforts and therefore its success. Using a program which focused on the integration of HIV and DV providers as an example, the content will focus on practical steps that worked and will identify those that did not. Recognition that these efforts need not become "herculean" and strategies to support efforts to integrate will be emphasized. Participants will be asked to share their successes and difficulties in efforts to integrate additional services into their work place. Problems identified will be discussed with an eye to practical solutions.

Evidence

The program which focused on the integration of HIV and DV enjoyed success on several levels. Behavior change was noted in DV staff with an overall change of behavior of over 60% in screening for sexual health, referring for HIV testing, and developing sexual safety plans. On the HIV side, there was an increase in screening for intimate partner violence (IPV), and referrals to DV hotlines. Agencies from both systems collaborated in setting goals for integration and developed agreements for current and future work.

Biographical Sketch

Susan B. Spencer, LCSW

Susan is a social worker who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University. Since forming her company, Susan B. Spencer, Inc (SBS Inc), she has worked in the field of public health, focusing on program development with a cross system emphasis. Examples of her work include the development of HIV testing in county jails; the integration of behavioral health in primary care and HIV medical clinics, and the integration of HIV risk reduction for survivors of domestic violence. There are numerous systems she has worked with including criminal justice, behavioral health and public health. She has worked with agencies across the country providing strategic planning and program development. With a background in behavioral health, she is able to offer a unique perspective to help get the job done.

Keyword Descriptors

successful collaboration, program integration, cross system integration

Presentation Year

2015

Start Date

3-4-2015 9:45 AM

End Date

3-4-2015 11:00 AM

Recommended Citation

Spencer, Susan B., "Successful Program Integration" (2015). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 214.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2015/2015/214