Social Service Organizations Research Articles

Multisector Collaboration vs. Social Democracy for Addressing Social Determinants of Health.

Policy Points Multisector collaboration, the dominant approach for responding to health harms created by adverse social conditions, involves collaboration among health care insurers, health care systems, and social services organizations. Social democracy, an underused alternative, seeks to use government policy to shape the civil (e.g., civil rights), political (e.g., voting rights), and economic (e.g., labor market institutions, property rights, and the tax-and-transfer system) institutions that produce health. Multisector collaboration may not achieve its goals, both because the collaborations are difficult to accomplish and because it does not seek to transform social conditions, only to mitigate their harms. Social democracy requires political contestation but has greater potential to improve population health and health equity.

Drivers that influence the development of care and service pathways for mental health clients in health and social service organizations

Background: Investigation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-ups are the stages of care to be integrated into a care trajectory for clients requiring mental health care (MSSS, 2021). As a result of recent structural reforms, health care organizations are focusing on more integrated care and services in order to respond effectively to the complex needs of this clientele, which poses challenges for the institutionalization of clinical and management practices aimed at better integrating care and services. 
 Objective: To identify the drivers that influence the development of care and service pathways for mental health clients in health and social service organizations. 
 Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive, qualitative, single-case study (CISSS in Quebec) with nested levels of analysis covering the settings of a ""Mental Health Care"" trajectory. The settings include the first, second, and third levels of care. Guided by Longpré's (2017) framework (LO-DISS) linking governance, organizational, structural, and clinical processes with key organizational resources, an interview guide was developed. Clinical professionals, managers, and administrators (N = 10) participated in semi-structured interviews that were analyzed using a qualitative data processing tool (NVivo). Result: Drivers of integrated care and services for mental health care pathways have been identified for each component of the LO-DISS model (2017). These highlighted processes include interdisciplinary collaboration, the patient-partner approach, quality assessment mechanisms, the development of integrative roles (case manager), and the mobilization of environmental and technological resources (electronic records, an environment that supports confidentiality and collaboration). The findings support the notion that investments in resources, processes, also clinical and management practices are key to integrating care and services and providing quality of care. 
 Recommandations: Using the LO-DISS care and services integration model to support renewed clinical governance allows for the deployment of strategies aimed at formalizing clinical and management practices that link the various mental health care pathways experienced by the population. 

Exploring the Lived Experience of Aging among Chronically Homeless Older Adults

Introduction/background summary: Twenty-four percent of Canada’s homeless shelter users are over the age of 50 years, a number that is predicted to rise [1]. Homeless older adults experience chronic health issues. They encounter barriers to accessing and utilizing healthcare and social services, such as stigma and misalignment between their needs and available services.
 Why did you do it? Designing healthcare and social services to address the needs of older adults aging with homelessness first requires evidence of their experiences. This study explores the conceptualization of older chronically homeless adults’ lived experiences related to aging.
 Who is it for? The research is for healthcare and social service providers and policymakers, populations that are homeless, researchers, and advocates interested in issues of homelessness.
 Who did you involve and engage with?Collaboration will occur with staff members and research participants in the study setting. Staff offer insights into participants’ recruitment, engagement and retention. Participants provide feedback on the interview questions, their transcribed interview notes, and written descriptions of their stories. Knowledge translation products and actionable items to improve service delivery will be co-created with the study settings.
 What did you do? The phenomenological research explores the aging experiences of older adults living with chronic homelessness. Participants will be recruited from four social service organizations and screened using the eligibility screening survey. Twenty eligible participants will be selected from the screening for data collection. The interview questions will be piloted with participants. Qualitative data collection occurs through face-to-face interviews and unstructured observations of participants in the study settings. Quantitative descriptive data will be gathered using the demographic survey and the SF-12 Short Form Health Assessment Survey. The NVivo software will be utilized to analyze the qualitative data. Quantitative data analysis will be completed with the SPSS statistical software.
 What results did you get? What impact did you have? Expected results include evidence of participants’ early physiological and psychosocial changes related to aging, healthcare and social service unmet needs and service utilization, and strategies utilized to manage developmental tasks related to aging. This study contributes new knowledge on the aging experiences of older adults living with chronic homelessness. It helps to inform healthcare and social service policy and emerging practices, including person-centred care and integrated healthcare.
 What is the learning for the international audience?The results will be transferable or interesting to international audiences that are involved in areas of research, policy, practice and advocacy related to homelessness.
 What are the next steps? The next steps involve knowledge translation at conferences, symposiums, presentations and publications. Researchers will collaborate with the study settings to translate the research findings into actionable policy, service design, and delivery mechanisms.
 References
 1.Gaetz S., Dej E., Richter T., & Redman M. (2016). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press.
 

COMMUNITY COLLABORATOR AND OLDER ADULT EXPERIENCES WITH INTERVENTIONS DELIVERED BY OLDER ADULTS

Abstract This symposium will include researchers, collaborators from healthcare and social service organizations, and older adults serving as volunteer coaches or peer educators; speakers will describe their experiences conducting two randomized controlled trials involving behavioral interventions for older adults delivered by older adults. The first trial is a NIMH-funded three-site RCT for community-dwelling older adults with symptoms of depression, in which participants receive behavioral activation delivered by a masters-level clinician or a streamlined version (“Do More, Feel Better”) delivered by an older adult volunteer. This trial involves close collaboration with senior centers and an Area Agency on Aging (AAA). The second trial is a PCORI-funded RCT to reduce health disparities for Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino older adults after medical hospitalization, in which participants receive the evidence-based Care Transitions Intervention (CTI), CTI plus a peer educator intervention, or usual care. This trial involves close collaboration with three regional hospital systems and an AAA. First, research investigators will describe the background, rationale, and methodology of each trial. Second, two representatives from the collaborating organizations (one from each trial) will present about their experiences collaborating on these trials – benefits of collaborating, challenges and strategies for overcoming challenges, and recommendations for other researchers engaged in similar community-based research. Third, two representatives from the older adult volunteers and peer educators (one from each trial) will present about their experiences collaborating on these trials – benefits of collaborating, challenges and strategies for overcoming challenges, and recommendations for other researchers engaged in similar community-based research.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFORMAL AND FORMAL HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIORS FOR ELDER MISTREATMENT AMONG CHINESE IMMIGRANTS

Abstract Purpose Help-seeking minimizes the consequences from elder mistreatment (EM). However, formal help-seeking could be challenging for older immigrants due to cultural and linguistic barriers. Informal supporters have been shown to promote formal help-seeking among EM victims. This study aimed to examine whether informal help facilitates U.S. Chinese EM victims with seeking help from formal sources. Methods Data were derived from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago. EM measurements included psychological, physical, sexual mistreatment, financial exploitation, and caregiver neglect. Seeking help from informal and formal sources were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and multinominal logistic regression were conducted. Results Among 450 EM victims, 53.48% of them sought informal help, 31.75% did not seek any help, 11.42% sought both informal and formal help, and 3.34% sought formal help. The most common informal sources were adult children, partners, and friends/neighbors. The most common formal sources were community social services organizations, followed by legal criminal justice systems. Compared to those who did not seek any help, victims who reported more emotional closeness within their social network and experienced financial exploitation were more likely to seek help from formal sources. However, informal help-seeking was not significantly associated with formal help-seeking. Conclusion/implication: The findings suggest that most U.S. Chinese older adults who experienced EM did not seek formal help. Higher levels of contact with social networks could increase seeking help from formal sources. However, future research is needed to explore why informal supporters did not facilitate seeking help from formal sources in Chinese EM victims.

THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL SERVICE: CURRENT TRENDS, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES

This research paper explores the dynamic relationship between technology and social service, shedding light on current trends, challenges, and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field. As technology continues to transform the way society operates, the social service sector is no exception. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of how technology is being leveraged to enhance social services, with a focus on key trends, including the adoption of artificial intelligence, the growth of telehealth, and the impact of data analytics on decision-making in social service organizations. It also delves into the ethical and equity considerations associated with these technological advancements.

Discretion and Strategies for Investigating Child Abuse: Social Workers’ Conceptions of Child Abuse Investigations and Police Reporting

Abstract Understanding the capacity of child welfare (CW) organisations to deal with child abuse is complex, and dependent on the specific CW context. Sweden occupies a unique position in trying to balance high demands for CW and protection with a strong family support focus, which carries a risk of overlooking children who need protection. Drawing on an understanding of social service organisations as street-level bureaucracies, this article explores discretion in child abuse cases by examining conditions affecting discretion and strategies for investigating child abuse, including police reporting. Thematic analysis of interviews with Swedish supervising social workers showed that staff’s conceptions of the CW system influenced the exercise of discretion, leading to different strategies for dealing with child abuse. This resulted in different practices and potentially unequal access to child protection and support, highlighting the wide margin of discretion. This article concludes that the interplay between knowledge and governance is central to equal child protection. This article contributes to the discussion of discretion in CW organisations by underlining the importance of being particularly vigilant about discretion when both children and parents are considered clients, as the child risks being lost as a subject with individual needs and rights.

Comparison of the Value of Welfare Principles in National Law and Islamic Law

The welfare state not only encompasses the organization of welfare or social services but emphasizes that everyone is entitled to social services as their right. The polarization of the goals of the welfare state is formulated to establish indicators as tools for assessing whether society is prosperous or not. Speaking of the concept of the rule of law, Islam as a perfect religion also has a concept of statehood. The methodological approach in this research is normative legal research (normative juridical). The type of research used is descriptive research. The data sources obtained by the author are primary legal materials and secondary legal materials. The data collection method used in this research is literature study. The data analysis method used in this research is qualitative method. The results of social welfare that have developed today indicate that there are citizens whose basic needs are not adequately met by the state. As a result, there are still citizens who face obstacles in the implementation of social functions, making it difficult for them to lead a dignified and decent life. Islam is not just a religion that contains a set of ritual doctrines, but Islam is a holistic and systematic worldview. Islam as al-din encompasses all aspects of human life, including statehood and law.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Service Organizations in a Clinical-Community Collaboration

Abstract: Increasingly, interventions are being developed to promote collaboration across health care and social service (such as food, housing, and transportation) sectors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for social services grew while social service organizations' capacity declined due to constraints on staffing, funding, and operations. We used an organizational survey fielded from July through November 2020 and publicly available, county-level data to assess the pandemic's impact on 253 social service organizations in the Accountable Health Communities Model evaluation. Over half of surveyed organizations reported being severely impacted by the pandemic, and 92% reported being at least moderately impacted. Social service organizations without federal funding and those in counties with lower poverty (smaller proportion of residents in poverty) and higher COVID-19 case rates were most impacted by the pandemic. Understanding the pandemic's burden on social service organizations can inform planning for future collaborations across health care and social service sectors.

Shifting the paradigm from illness to wellbeing: development of a Municipal Health Strategy

Abstract Issue Portugal is undergoing a health promotion and healthcare competency transferring process to local governments, requiring the development and implementation of Municipal (local) Health Strategies (MHS). Planning an MHS remains a challenge as no guidelines have been established, being imperative to involve citizens and local stakeholders. Description of the problem The MHS contemplates, at the municipal level and in the field of health, the priority lines of intervention and respective targets, indicators, activities, resources, and timeframes. This communication will describe the participatory mixed-methods design created for the development of one of the largest municipalities of Portugal: Almada. A technical panel was formed to act as a think tank throughout the development of the MHS, involving different public and private local social actors (Almada city hall, parishes councils, schools, faculties, sports clubs, healthcare units, social service organizations, etc.). The world café method was selected for collaborative thinking, involving also public health and health promotions experts and Almada citizens. A population-based survey complemented public registries as a data source for building up a municipal health profile (a diagnostic tool for supporting the MHS definition). What are the vision and values of Almada's MHS, how to involve the community, and what are Almada's MHS strategic axes, these are some of the questions discussed in the world cafés. Results From March to May 2023, six world cafés were conducted, plus one population-based survey focused on municipalities’ health and well-being indicators. The preliminary data point to an MHS “shifting the paradigm from illness prevention to wellbeing promotion”. Lessons Collaborative models are pivotal to building up effective intersectoral municipal policies, reflecting real-world health problems, and tackling real-world solutions. Key messages • The definition of local health strategies require collaborative, co-construction oriented models, with challenging methodological processes. • A multi-sectorial stakeholder panel set out positive health and wellbeing indicators and goals (instead of disease prevention goals) as priority for a Municipality Health Strategy.

Healthy Finland survey as the latest uptake for 50 years of population health monitoring in Finland

Abstract In Finland, population-based health examination surveys (HESs) have been conducted in regularly since early 1960's to obtain information on population health and health determinants. These surveys have covered adult population living in the mainland Finland. Surveys have always been conducted by specially trained personnel using international standardized protocols such as WHO MONICA protocol or EHES protocol. The latest HES, Healthy Finland, is ongoing and will run until June 2023. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) had the responsibility of the coordination of the preparation phase as well as conducting the survey. Survey planning was started already in early 2021 with a multidisciplinary group including representatives from different stakeholders. Survey sample includes 66.000 randomly selected adults aged 18+ years living in Finland. In the 1st phase, they receive a questionnaire to be filled in. Questionnaire covers topics such as quality of life, health, use of health care services, lifestyles, background information, work ability and functional capacity, wellbeing, accidents, and sexual and reproductive health. In the 2nd phase, 10.000 of those selected to the survey were invited to health examination including for example anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, spirometry test, collection of biological samples and sub-studies. This from these national HESs has been widely used for policy making, planning and evaluation of the prevention programmes, as epidemiological background for clinical treatment guidelines of several diseases, and for research. Information obtained from the Healthy Finland survey will be used for the evaluation of wellbeing service counties which are responsible for the organization of social and health care services in Finland. Survey will generate new information about health inequalities by providing information not only by age and sex but also by education and other socio-economic indicators.

Bottom-up approach to set research needs in healthcare

Abstract Clinical research is a pivotal element for the Emilia-Romagna (Italy) healthcare system. Since 2004 the regional government has established “regional health research plans” that define priority research topics for the regional health system (RHS). Research on identified topics has been funded by periodic calls for public grants to support not for profit research carried out in regional public Hospitals and Local Health Trusts (LHTs). Until today, in Emilia-Romagna region, a top-down approach was used with regional decision-makers in identifying research themes to be investigated and funded. The goal of this intervention was to promote a bottom-up approach to identify research needs and survey research expectations from different stakeholders. To widely represent research needs and expectations, the research process involved not only decision-makers but also researchers, healthcare and social professionals, a citizens’ advisory committee. To enable every stakeholder to make a concrete contribution to the regional health research plan, innovative qualitative techniques such as focus group (FG) and Open Space Technology (OST) were used. Then, the material was analyzed by content analysis and a narrative synthesis of results was carried out. From January to December 2022, 160 regional stakeholders participated in 8 FGs and one OST. Research on health and social services emerged as the main ‘orphan’ area. Needs focused on the evaluation of services and factors affecting the quality of care, and on the development of new organizational models and research methods to assess organizational innovations. Research on interventions to improve community healthcare was indicated as an urgent need. The work highlights that the research on the organization of social and health services is one of the topic neglected. In particular the need to deepen the methodology and to study effective interventions to be implemented was expressed. Key messages • Research on health and social services emerged as the main ‘orphan’ area. • The work returns results on research needs from a broad sample of stakeholders to policymakers to direct regional funding for research.

A case study on variations in network structure and cross-sector alignment in two local systems serving pregnant and parenting women in recovery.

To describe network structure and alignment across organizations in healthcare, public health, and social services sectors that serve pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder (SUD) in an urban and a rural community. Two community networks, one urban and one rural with each including a residential substance use treatment program, in Kentucky during 2021. Social network analysis measured system collaboration and cross-sector alignment between healthcare, public health, and social services organizations, applying the Framework for Aligning Sectors. To understand the alignment and structure of each network, we measured network density overall and between sectors, network centralization, and each organization's degree centrality and effective size. Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted to document alignment around shared purpose, data, financing, and governance. On average, overall and cross-sector network densities in both communities were similar. However, alignment was highest for data sharing and financing in the urban community and for shared purpose and governance in the rural community. Cross-sector partnerships involving healthcare organizations were more prevalent in the rural county (44% vs. 38% for healthcare/public health, 44% vs. 29% for healthcare/social services), but more prevalent for those involving public health/social services organizations in the urban county (42% vs. 24%). A single healthcare organization had the highest degree centrality (Mdn [IQR] = 26 [26-9.5]) and effective size (Mdn [IQR] = 15.9 [20.6-8.7]) within the rural county. Social services organizations held more central positions in the urban county (degree centrality Mdn [IQR] = 13 [14.8-9.5]; effective size Mdn [IQR] = 10.4 [11.4-7.9]). Cross-sector alignment may strengthen local capacity for comprehensive SUD care for pregnant and parenting women. Healthcare organizations are key players in cross-sector partnerships in the rural community, where one healthcare facility holds the central brokerage role. In contrast, public health agencies are key to cross-sector collaboration with social services in the urban community.

An Exploration of the Social Support of Women in Sex Work in Cúcuta, Colombia

Social support for women in sex work is essential for their overall health and well-being. In the city of Cúcuta, Colombia, both domestic Colombian and migrant Venezuelan women utilize the sex industry to obtain an income. However, with limited resources in this area and little prior research about the current supports, this study explores the social support accessed and received, the social support desired, and identifies the formal social support available to women in sex work in Cúcuta, Colombia. To conduct this research, 28 interviews were conducted: 10 with Colombian women in sex work, 12 with Venezuelan women in sex work, and 6 with professionals representing various social service organizations. Findings indicated that most of the women relied on informal support, yet many women also expressed a desire for formal social support services, specifically related to health care, food, and housing assistance. Nonetheless, gaps persist in the availability of desired formal services This research demonstrates the importance of service providers working with women in sex work directly to understand their lived experiences, while also demonstrating self-determination and empowerment. Further research is needed to measure the implementation efficacy of formal services and the barriers to access for women in sex work.

Assessment of the Economic Efficiency of Long-Term Care System in the Stavropol Territory

The purpose of the study. The purpose of the article is to economically substantiate the effectiveness of a long-term care system functioning in the form of social services at home, compared with stationary social services for people with limited mobility and non-mobile citizens to determine the most optimal and profitable form of providing social services for the state.Materials and methods. The study used analytical and statistical data for the period 2019-2022 and 8 months of 2023 on the amount of funding and main items of expenditure within the framework of the implementation of the long-term care system in pilot social service organizations subordinate to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Stavropol Territory. Scientific methods: analysis of scientific literature on the research problem, tabular method, economic and mathematical analysis; methods of processing and displaying information using the Microsoft Excel software package.Results. The authors carried out a theoretical analysis of the scientific literature of domestic and foreign researchers on the problem of the study. The article has developed and tested the author’s methodology for assessing the economic efficiency of the system of long-term care for elderly and disabled citizens, and also presents the results of a study of this assessment on the example of the Stavropol Territory.Conclusion. The conclusions obtained based on the results of the study indicate the development of a long-term care system, the implementation of which is a priority socially significant direction at the federal and regional levels. The calculations carried out confirmed that the cost of servicing the socially vulnerable category of elderly citizens at home is lower than in the conditions of their stay in inpatient institutions. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the results obtained in the field of management of the development of the regional public sector in the sphere of social services and systematization of the data obtained. The options proposed by the authors for calculating the amount of funding and expenses within the framework of the system of long-term care for the disabled and older people can significantly affect economic growth, changes in the conditions and remuneration of personnel involved in the provision of services, the formation of gross domestic product.

Den mätande socialtjänsten

The measuring social service organization – the use of individual-based systematic follow-up of interventions For the past two decades, national policy in Sweden has repeatedly argued that social services should follow the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP) and that intervention effects should be informed by research. Conversely, there is a recurring critique against the “EBP movement” concerning a too narrow view of evidence and limited applicability in social services. Despite these differences, common perceptions advocate a need for local and systematic production of knowledge about the significance of interventions for service users. Individual-based systematic follow-ups (ISF) of interventions aggregated at group level could be a relatively undisputed path towards an increased knowledge base of social services. Therefore, the article examines and problematizes different dimensions of how ISF is practiced and how results come into use in social services. The research was conducted within social service units providing non-institutional treatment for children, young people, and families in two Swedish municipalities. Both have several years of experience using the ISF models LOKE (Local Evidence) and FIT (Feedback-Informed Treatment) respectively. The empirical material consists of 8 observations, 45 documents, and 21 interviews with family therapists, heads of units and departments, executive directors, and development officers. The findings reveal a wide range of types of use of ISF, which both overlap and presuppose each other and where the use differs depending on the user’s organizational level and role. Although the results are rarely used for development purposes in distinct ways, it is noted that the ISF models and their results play important roles within the organizations, for example strategic, legitimacy-enhancing and conceptual perspective-giving, which also affect work within the units.

Exploring Perspectives of Professionals in Community Organizations for Outreach and Services to East Asian American Older Adults and Family Caregivers

The present study explored how social service agencies serve older adults and their family caregivers to examine how to better serve those from East Asian American communities through a qualitative study design. Using a convenience sampling method, 42 participants were recruited from 37 home- and community-based, social service organizations. Four themes were developed based on their efforts in outreach, service delivery, engagement, and collaboration. The results showed that traditional forms of media, such as local newspapers, TV ads, or radios were commonly used to reach East Asian American communities. Specifically, ethnic media was considered the most effective way to reach Chinese and Korean American older adults due to the familiarity with the language and the culture. While technology acted as a bridge for delivering services to their clients, it was not seen as a permanent solution to the issue but rather a “Band-Aid”. Also, some ethnic organizations used multipurpose messaging mobile applications to stay connected with their clients. Ethnic organizations serving East Asian older adults offer unique contributions to the community due to their deeper understanding of cultural backgrounds. Through greater collaborations between organizations, resource utilization may be increased thereby, successfully supporting this underserved aging population.

Proof of ID: Building Access and Personhood in the Social Service Ecosystem Through Exchange

Engaging in exchange fosters a sense of connectedness and contributes to the metaperception that one is part of a society. Being excluded from exchange is dehumanizing, leaving those who are excluded to feel disconnected and subhuman. Consumers experiencing deep poverty and homelessness are denied access to many aspects of the mainstream marketplace, necessitating their use of the social service ecosystem. A key currency to receive social services from government and nonprofit entities is a valid, government-issued photo identification (ID) document. Many consumers experiencing homelessness and deep poverty do not have a valid ID and are often denied access to the very services they depend on for their survival, services that were created for this purpose. The current work investigates the impact of ID documents on consumer access to the marketplace. Through the conceptual lens of personhood, findings indicate that ID documents increase access to services and contribute to the confidence and well-being of consumers experiencing deep poverty and homelessness. Public policy implications relating to social service access, “stop and frisk” policies, and how social service organizations can play an important role in (re)building personhood are discussed.

Exploring the Barriers and Potential Opportunities of Technology Integration in Community-Based Social Service Organizations

Community-based social service organizations often face multifaceted challenges, including limited resources, inadequate staffing, funding constraints, and high demand for their services. These challenges are often exacerbated when serving vulnerable communities with complex social needs. Despite these difficulties, technology holds the potential to help bridge the service gap, enabling these organizations to respond more effectively to the diverse needs of their communities. In our work, we conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with representatives from different community-based social service organizations in a mid-sized city in Northern Indiana. This city struggles with high rates of poverty and homelessness in several of its neighborhoods. Our findings revealed that although these organizations faced numerous technological challenges, data and knowledge management was a particularly significant issue. Based on our findings, we offer design recommendations for empowering community-based social service organizations and the people they serve through technology. By leveraging the capabilities of technology, our study aims to promote social justice by assisting community-based organizations in better serving their communities.

Trusted sources for COVID-19 testing and vaccination: lessons for future health communication

ABSTRACT Background Promoting COVID-19 vaccination (both the primary series and boosters) remains a priority among healthcare professionals and requires understanding the various sources people trust for acquiring COVID-19 information. Method From October 2021 to May 2022, we interviewed 150 people who called 2–1–1 helplines in Connecticut and North Carolina about their COVID-19 testing and vaccination experiences in order to (1) better understand where people obtain trusted COVID-19 health information and (2) identify how public health professionals can share emergency health information in the future. We used a mixed methods approach in which semi-structured qualitative interviews and survey data were collected in parallel and analyzed separately. Results Participants were mostly female (74.0%), Black (43.3%) or White (38.0%), and had a high school degree or higher (88.0%). Most had prior COVID-19 testing experience (88.0%) and were vaccinated (82.7%). A variety of information sources were rated as being very trustworthy including medical professionals and social service organizations. We found that repetition of information from multiple sources increased trust; however, perceived inconsistencies in recommendations over time eroded trust in health communication, especially from government-affiliated information sources. Observations such as seeing long lines for COVID-19 testing or vaccination became internalized trusted information. Conclusions Public health professionals can leverage the reach and strong community ties of existing, reputable non-government organizations, such as physician groups, schools, and pharmacies, to distribute COVID-19 information about vaccination and testing.