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This multi-year knowledge development initiative – a CMHS/ CSAT collaboration
-- is documenting and evaluating the effectiveness of time-limited,
intensive intervention strategies for providing treatment, housing,
support, and family preservation services to homeless mothers with
psychiatric and/or substance use disorders who are caring for their
dependent children. In Phase One, a 2-year process that began in Fall
1999, 14 study sites developed population descriptions, enhanced services,
documented their intervention models, collaborated in the development
of a cross-site interview instrument, and formulated cross- and individual-site
evaluation plan designs. A coordinating center facilitated site visits,
the development of the cross-site study design and evaluation instrument,
and provided technical assistance to sites. Sites completed their
Phase One activities in 2001 and submitted competitive applications
for continuation into Phase Two. Eight sites continue into the second
phase, which began in October 2001.
In Phase Two the sites will conduct cross- and individual-site evaluations
of their homeless families interventions, participate in developing
the plan for analyzing the cross-site data, and begin collaboration
on knowledge application and dissemination activities. As in the first
phase, cross-site activities will be facilitated by a coordinating
center.
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