Abstract
Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES) engaged in a strengths-based initiative to increase quality and integration of human services. Twenty teams including employees from state agencies, community leaders, and families were brought together to discuss and implement improvements to a variety of social services. A mixed methods study was conducted to explore the complex process of forming diverse teams to strengthen social services. Specifically, the research team conducted focus groups to collect qualitative data from a purposive sample of the teams to explore their experiences in greater depth. Analysis of the data led to the development of an online survey instrument that allowed all collaborative members an opportunity to participate in the study. Findings suggest that while the teams faced many challenges, a commitment to the process brought perseverance, communication, and creativity allowing this collaborative to initiate 105 activities to bring about positive changes in social services within their communities.
Highlights
The qualitative data analysis led to the identification of three themes each explained by a set of sub-codes
Findings suggest the Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Service Integration (BSCSI) teams experienced many barriers to their efforts ranging from confusion regarding their roles or purpose, difficulty retaining family partners along with a perceived lack of support and time constraints
As the research team examined the experiences of the collaborative, we discovered that all teams were still meeting, pursuing small tests of change through the PDSA process and making improvements in services in their communities
Summary
Problems such as poverty, child maltreatment, delinquency and crime affect the safety of our communities, the stability of our families, and can have negative effects on the growth and development of children. Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES) engaged in a year-long initiative known as the Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Service Integration (BSCSI). This effort brought together agency staff from multiple DES programs and community leaders from social service agencies with service recipients to form 20 teams across Arizona for the purpose of better addressing the complex needs of families. The purpose of this article is to present the findings from a mixed methods study that explored this collaborative process to identify both the challenges and advantages of this approach to social work practice
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