Strategy. Collaboration and Coordination (Child)
Approach. Establish culturally competent and timely medical service delivery for children facing homelessness
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Overview. Effective collaboration and coordination among various partners, including healthcare providers, social workers, educators, and community organizations, can lead to improved outcomes for children experiencing homelessness. Collaboration and coordination are essential components in providing effective and integrated care to children experiencing homelessness. By working together and coordinating efforts, service providers can address the unique challenges faced by children experiencing homelessness and contribute to improving their overall well-being and outcomes.[1]
Evidence. Expert Opinion.
Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts, guidelines, or committee statements; these strategies are consistent with accepted theoretical frameworks and have good potential to work. Often there is literature-based evidence supporting these strategies in related topic areas that indicate this approach would prove effective for this issue. Further research is needed to confirm effects in this topic area.
Access the peer-reviewed evidence
through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.
(Read more about understanding evidence ratings).
Source. Peer-Reviewed Literature
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. As Title V agencies begin to incorporate this strategy into ESMs, examples will be available here. Until then, you can search for ESMs that have similar intervention components in the ESM database.
Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the Results-Based Accountability framework (for suggestions on how to develop programs to support this strategy, see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).
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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 to improve medical service delivery for children experiencing homelessness. (Measures multi-sector engagement and participation)
- Number of healthcare providers and staff trained in culturally competent, trauma-informed practices for serving children and families experiencing homelessness. (Shows workforce capacity building for equity and responsiveness)
- Number of children experiencing homelessness who receive timely, comprehensive medical services through coordinated care delivery models. (Measures direct impact on increasing access to needed care)
- Number of children experiencing homelessness who establish and maintain a consistent medical home for ongoing care and support. (Assesses impact on promoting continuity and quality of care)
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Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort ("How well did we do it?")
- Percent of medical services for children experiencing homelessness that are delivered in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, respectful of families' diverse backgrounds and identities. (Measures cultural competency in service delivery)
- Percent of healthcare teams serving children experiencing homelessness that include professionals with expertise in housing, social services, and other relevant sectors. (Shows interdisciplinary, holistic approach to care)
- Percent of children experiencing homelessness who receive appropriate developmental screenings, immunizations, and other preventive services according to recommended schedules. (Measures adherence to quality standards of pediatric care)
- Percent of families experiencing homelessness who report high levels of satisfaction, trust, and partnership with their children's healthcare providers. (Assesses family-centeredness and relationship quality in service delivery)
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Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect ("Is anyone better off?")
- Number of communities 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 that achieve measurable reductions in health disparities and improvements in health equity for children experiencing homelessness through collaborative medical service delivery models. (Measures population health and equity 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)
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Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect ("How are they better off?")
- Percent of collaborative medical service delivery initiatives for children experiencing homelessness that are governed by diverse, representative leadership that includes families with lived experience of homelessness. (Measures shared power and democratic governance)
- Percent of healthcare providers and systems serving children experiencing homelessness that demonstrate sustained institutional commitment to anti-bias, trauma-informed, and housing-focused practices. (Shows organizational transformation and culture change for equity and justice)
- 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 of equity and support in care delivery)
- Percent of communities that demonstrate sustained shifts in the structural determinants of health inequities for children experiencing homelessness, such as through more equitable distribution of resources, power, and opportunities. (Shows long-term, transformative impact on social and political determinants of health)
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Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:
- Move from measuring quantity to quality.
- Move from measuring effort to effect.
- Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
- 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.
