The following publications and organizations provide evaluations of the systems of care approach or provide information on how to evaluate a systems of care program. Although some resources may focus primarily on the mental health needs of children, the information is adaptable and appropriate for use within all systems of care for families seeking support. Resources include State and local examples.
An Analysis of Implementation of Systems of Care at Fourteen CMHS Grant Communities (PDF - 562 KB)
Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (2004)
This study sought to determine how well each community implemented a system of care and to identify factors that either facilitated or hindered implementation and explore the lessons learned from their experiences.
Circles of Care Evaluation Technical Assistance Center
The Circles of Care Initiative provides funding to plan, design, and assess the feasibility of implementing culturally appropriate services for American Indian and Alaska Native children with serious emotional or behavioral disturbances and their families. Read the Program Overview section of their website to learn about the six components of their evaluation plan.
Continuous Quality Improvement: Systems of Care Toolkit
National Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care
Defines the role of continuous quality improvement in systems of care; presents activities and resources for four development phases: pre-planning, planning, implementation, and continuous quality improvement; provides examples from the field; and more.
Evidence-Based Practices and Systems of Care: Implementation Matters (PDF - 167 KB)
Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute (2007)
Discusses findings regarding the role of evidence-based practices in systems of care, including lessons learned and strategies for successful implementation of evidence-based practices.
The Greenbook Demonstration Initiative: Process Evaluation Report: Phase 1 (January 2001 - June 2002) (PDF - 1640 KB)
Greenbook National Evaluation Team (2004)
Presents process evaluation findings from the first 18 months of demonstration programs participating in the Greenbook Initiative, based on guidelines presented in Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and Practice. The sites' experiences with mobilization, collaboration, and planning are included.
National Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care (The TA and Evaluation Center for Grantees of the Improving Child Welfare Outcomes Through Systems of Care Demonstration Initiative)
Provides programmatic and evaluation technical assistance, research, and training to child welfare agencies involved in building systems of care. The Center also conducts the national evaluation and provides technical assistance to recipients of cooperative agreements through the Children's Bureau's Improving Child Welfare Outcomes Through Systems of Care demonstration initiative. For more information, contact SystemsofCare@childwelfare.gov.
Research Agenda
Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health
Information about the center's integrated research, training, and dissemination program targeted specifically at implementation issues for developing effective systems of care.
RTC Annual Conference Proceedings
Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health
Proceedings from the center's annual conference on research and findings on systems of care and children's mental health are available from 1995 through the present.
Using Evaluation Data to Manage, Improve, Market, and Sustain Children's Services (PDF - 342 KB)
National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health (2000)
Describes promising practices in the use of evaluation data at sites funded by the Federal Center for Mental Health Services as part of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program.
State and local examples
Albany County, NY, System of Care Final Evaluation Report (PDF - 1,000 KB)
Center for Human Services Research, University at Albany, State University of New York (2010)
Discusses the activities and accomplishments of a federally funded system of care implemented in Albany County, New York.
An Assessment and Study of the Mississippi System of Care (PDF - 253 KB)
Davis (2009)
Discusses the methodology and findings of a study that gathered qualitative and quantitative information and stakeholder input about Mississippi's system of care for children and youth with serious emotional disorders who are at risk of school suspension, expulsion, or placement in a treatment facility. The report includes recommendations for improving the function and effectiveness of the system of care.
Multiple Response System and System of Care: Two Policy Reforms Designed to Improve the Child Welfare System (PDF - 352 KB)
Lawrence & Snyder (2009)
Describes North Carolina Division of Social Services' current implementation of multiple response system and system of care initiatives, and focuses on how they work in tandem to support common goals. It also offers recommendations and resources to policymakers and practitioners for developing similar initiatives or improving current practices in the child welfare system.