Planning and Implementation of Technical Assistance Support to Community Mental Health Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic (TO 25)

Project Approach and Methodology The Evaluation Center, led by Dr. Gregory Phillips II, will use continuous quality improvement (CQI) and the Community of Practice framework for comprehensive, culturally responsive technical assistance with mental health providers and agencies funded through the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Bureau of Behavioral Health. Over the last five years, our team has successfully conducted technical assistance with CDPH delegate agencies using these frameworks to facilitate learning and best practice sharing. The Evaluation Center will operate in three implementation phases that strengthen delegate agency capacity to deliver mental health services through digital platforms that are trauma-informed and responsive to COVID-19 stressors. These align with project objectives that assume a July 1, 2020 start date. 1. Project Planning will entail working with CDPH to plan initial meetings, set goals for the project, and to begin forming relationships with delegate agencies. Our team will conduct strategic planning with CDPH Bureau of Behavioral Health, publicly funded health centers, mental health provider agencies, and community-based organizations in Chicago to determine technical assistance priorities and forecast implementation barriers relative to emerging pandemic dynamics. To support this planning, our team will conduct a thorough capacity and needs assessment that details delegate agencies’ abilities to respond to the pandemic’s impact on the mental health of vulnerable populations through digital platforms. This phase will conclude with resource development, during which our team will assemble and develop various technical assistance materials to train, educate, and onboard delegate agency staff. a. By July 31, 2020, the Evaluation Center will develop a portfolio-wide strategic plan, conduct a capacity and needs assessment, develop portfolio-wide guidance on standardized models of mental telehealth service, and develop a repository of skill-building resources 2. Quality Improvement Implementation will include periodic and focused technical assistance with delegate agencies. In order to support at least 20 agencies, our team will conduct a project launch meeting, initial site visits, regular meetings, readiness assessments, trainings, and agency-specific implementation planning. a. By December 31, 2020, the Evaluation Center will provide technical assistance to at least 20 agencies and conduct at least 3 learning community sessions. 3. Maintenance and Sustainability Planning will ensure that delegate agencies are prepared to continue utilizing practices developed through this project. The Evaluation Center will include sustainability activities into agency-specific implementation plans. Throughout the technical assistance process, the Evaluation Center will regularly report to CDPH on project status. Our team will incorporate CDPH input and direction into project activities. Additionally, we will provide expert guidance on materials developed by CDPH. 1. By December 31, 2020, the Evaluation Center will have participated in 7 monthly meetings with CDPH and provided technical assistance and strategic guidance on documents developed by CDPH Bureau of Behavioral Health. 2. By January 31, 2021, the Evaluation Center will provide at least 1 quarterly report and 1 final report to CDPH. Quality Control Process The Evaluation Center will evaluate the impact of all technical assistance sessions and materials provided to delegate agencies through this project. Our team is accustom