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First Steps: A Guide to Integrating Information for Systems Evaluation of Children's Mental Health Services

NCJ Number
163677
Author(s)
D Hallfors; P McQuide; C Brach; S Hutcheson
Date Published
1996
Length
63 pages
Annotation
This guide provides a framework to help State mental health agencies develop integrated, multiagency computerized information systems for evaluating services to children and families.
Abstract
While information systems have frequently been developed to evaluate particular projects that seek to integrated services to children and families, existing databases have rarely been combined to evaluate an entire service system. The information systems development framework presented in the guide is divided into several parts. Following an introduction, rationales for integrating information on children are characterized. Examples of integrated children's information systems are cited, and critical issues confronting integrated system planners are addressed (confidentiality, compatibility, and practicality). Steps involved in planning an integrated children's information system are delineated, along with procedures, goals, and systematic assessment protocols. Four case studies are included to describe the work done in New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois to develop integrated children's databases. The guide recognizes that integrating children's information systems is an ongoing process and contains a planning worksheet that is also available in electronic form. An appendix lists key principles in information system design. 15 references and 4 figures