NCJ Number
47344
Journal
EVALUATION Volume: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 99-103
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE MAJOR FEATURES OF A SERVICES INTEGRATION TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY (SITO) PROJECT CARRIED OUT IN RURAL SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ARE DESCRIBED, WITH A VIEW TOWARD IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES.
Abstract
THE SITO PROJECTS WERE FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE TO TEST VARIOUS TECHNIQUES FOR INTEGRATING HUMAN SERVICES (E.G., COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SYSTEMS, CLIENT TRACKING SYSTEMS, CENTRALIZED INTAKE SYSTEMS). THE MON VALLEY PROJECT IS CONCERNED WITH DEVELOPING LINKAGES AMONG 13 RELATIVELY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SERVICE AGENCIES IN 32 COMMUNITIES AND ALSO WITH PERFORMING A VARIETY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND SERVICE SUPPORT FUNCTIONS. MAJOR PROGRAM OBJECTIVES ARE TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF HUMAN SERVICES IN MON VALLEY AND TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF SERVICE DELIVERY. TOWARD THESE ENDS, THE FOLLOWING SUBOBJECTIVES ARE BEING PURSUED: JOINT DETERMINATION OF NEEDS AND PRIORITIES; JOINT PROGRAMMING; COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND DISSEMINATION OF CLIENT INFORMATION AND DATA ON AGENCY-SPECIFIC UTILIZATION PATTERNS BY MEANS OF A COMPUTERIZED MANAGEMENT DATA SYSTEM; OUTREACH; CENTRAL INTAKE; PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSES FOR ALL CLIENTS ENTERING THE SYSTEM; DIRECTION OF CLIENTS TO APPROPRIATE SERVICES; CASE MANAGEMENT/CLIENT ADVOCACY SERVICES FOR ALL CLIENTS; USE OF CASE CONFERENCES TO COORDINATE SERVICES; REMOVAL OF LEGAL BARRIERS TO THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES; AND FISCAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH PURCHASE-OF-SERVICE CONTRACTS WITH PARTICIPATING AGENCIES. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE IN SERVICES INTEGRATION PROJECTS IS UNDERESTIMATING THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION. (LKM)