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CWDA/CMHDA Partnership Series

January 20, 2006

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Introduction

Opportunities for partnerships exist and are operating now

Adopting an Appreciative Inquiry Approach towards discovering and strengthening these partnerships is requested:• When a program or service is working well what is

it that works and how can that set of processes be built upon/expanded/articulated?

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Language

The use of language is an important issue as part of this process:• Words (not just “system language”) create

barriers that serve to perpetuate silo service or parallel initiative delivery.

• Examples:• Administration – the executive officials of a

government, etc., and their policies

• Barrier – anything that blocks or hinders

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Examples (cont.)

• Change – 1. to make different; alter 2. to leave one train, plane etc., and board another

• Collaborate – 1. to work together 2. to cooperate with the enemy

• Consolidate – 1. to combine into one; unite 2. to make or become strong or stable – consolidation

• Fragment – an incomplete part

• Holistic – dealing with wholes or integrated systems rather than with their separation into parts

• Institution – a person or thing long established in a place

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Examples (cont.)

• Integrate – 1. to make or become whole or complete 2. to remove barriers imposing segregation

• Lead – to show the way

• Parallel – extending in the same direction and at a constant distance apart, so as to never meet

• Reform – to make better

• Reformer – one who seeks to bring about political or social reform

• Silo – an airtight pit or tower

• Transcend – 1. to go beyond the limits of 2. to surpass; excel

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Examples (cont.)

• Transform – to change the condition, character, or function

• Transformer – 1. one that transforms 2. a device for changing electrical energy to a different voltage

• Vision – the power of seeing

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Methods

The good news is that these barriers can be transcended with some practice relatively easily by:• Defining issues concretely and without

acronyms

• Using active listening/reflection

• Using the Appreciative Inquiry Approach

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We have more in common than you think! Commonalities between the MHSA and Child

Welfare Services Improvement Activities/AB 636:• Both (MHSA/AB 636) are authored by Assembly

Member Steinberg• All target fundamental system restructuring, e.g.,

Transformation• All are inclusive of WRAP/full service partnerships• All are strength based conceptual approaches:

• Recovery/self-sufficiency• Client and stakeholder involvement at policy/program

design/service level

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Commonalities (cont.)

• All focus on culturally relevant and inclusive practices

• All recognize increased access as a goal

• All have overlapping populations:• Children, youth and families

• All have integrated workforce targets:• Multi-disciplinary approaches

• Cross-departmental and community focus

• Workforce development components

• All involvement Evidence Based Practice as a system improvement issue

• All are outcome focused

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Small Group Activity

Using:• Appreciative Inquiry Approach

• Concrete language

• Active listening and reflection

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Small Group Activity (cont.)

Break into cross-departmental groups on the following topics:• How can MH CSOC understand and support CWS

System Improvement Plans and activities?

• How can MH CSOC and CWS work together to improve support for Transitional Age Youth?

• How can the MHSA and AB 636 goals be coordinated and integrated?

• How can MH CSOC and CWS work together around foster care issues (e.g., placements/funding/treatment models/improving care)?

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Process/Outcomes

Selecting a minute taker and 2 group spokespersons, focus on your selected area and:• Mutually define the “carve-out” area for discussion

• Define what is working now (program/service/process, etc.)

• Identify how this can be improved upon or expanded to scale

• Recommend concrete next steps that would serve to improve/implement the area of focus

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Goals

Discovery of approaches that will:• Better protect our county’s children, youth and

families

• Enhance understanding and mutual respect for our work

• Strengthen CMHDA and CWDA partnership in terms of:• Policy and legislative intent

• Program design

• Service implementation