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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Housing Instability: Child.

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Strategy. Collaboration and Coordination (Child)

Approach. Establish timely medical service delivery for children facing homelessness.

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Overview. Effective collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, social workers, educators, and community organizations, can lead to improved outcomes for homeless children. Collaboration and coordination are essential components in providing effective and integrated care to homeless children. By working together and coordinating efforts, service providers can address the unique challenges faced by homeless children and contribute to improving their overall well-being and outcomes.[1]

Evidence. Expert Opinion. Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts...

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.

Potential Data Sources. Data to support this strategy can be accessed through:

  • Inter-agency collaboration data
  • Inter-agency satisfaction data
  • Qualitative feedback data from all collaborative partners Referral data

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

  • Access to/Receipt of Care. This strategy increases the ability for individuals to obtain healthcare services when needed, including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services.
  • Timeliness of Care. This strategy promotes delivery of healthcare services in a timely manner to optimize benefits and prevent complications.
  • Policy. This strategy helps to promote decisions, laws, and regulations that promote public health practices and interventions.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Direct Care (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Population/Systems-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework (see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).

Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)

  • Number of healthcare providers, clinics, and community-based organizations engaged in collaborative efforts with Title V to improve medical service delivery for children experiencing homelessness. (Measures multi-sector engagement and participation)
  • Number of healthcare providers and staff trained in trauma-informed practices for serving children and families experiencing homelessness. (Shows workforce capacity building responsiveness)

Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)

  • Percent of medical services for children experiencing homelessness that are delivered in an appropriate manner, respectful of families' backgrounds. (Measures appropriateness of service delivery)
  • Percent of healthcare teams partnered with Title V serving children experiencing homelessness that include professionals with expertise in housing, social services, and other relevant sectors. (Shows interdisciplinary, holistic approach to care)

Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)

  • Number of communities partnered with Title V that establish centralized care coordination systems to streamline access to medical services and supports for children experiencing homelessness. (Measures systems integration and coordination infrastructure)
  • Number of healthcare organizations that adopt population health management strategies and data analytics to proactively identify and address the needs of children experiencing homelessness. (Assesses data-driven, tailored approach to care delivery)
  • Number of communities partnered with Title V that achieve measurable improvements in health outcomes for children experiencing homelessness through collaborative medical service delivery models. (Measures population health impact)
  • Number of healthcare payment and delivery system reforms implemented to sustain and incentivize high-quality, coordinated care for children experiencing homelessness, such as value-based payment models or accountable care structures. (Assesses systems change for sustainability and alignment)

Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)

  • Percent of collaborative medical service delivery initiatives for children experiencing homelessness that report high levels of engagement. (Measures shared power and democratic governance)
  • Percent of healthcare providers and systems collaborating with Title V serving children experiencing homelessness that demonstrate sustained institutional commitment to anti-bias, trauma-informed, and housing-focused practices. (Shows organizational transformation)
  • Percent of families experiencing homelessness who report that collaborative medical services honored their dignity, respected their autonomy, and supported their self-determined health and wellbeing goals. (Assesses family perceptions and support in care delivery)
  • Percent of communities that demonstrate sustained shifts in the structural determinants of health for children experiencing homelessness, such as through distribution of resources, power, and opportunities. (Shows long-term, transformative impact on social and political determinants of health)

Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:

  1. Move from measuring quantity to quality.
  2. Move from measuring effort to effect.
  3. Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
  4. The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.

Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.

References

[1] Lynch, S. (2018). Culturally competent, integrated behavioral health service delivery to homeless children. American journal of public health, 108(4), 434.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.