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ViewAttendees 4

Symposia

Dissemination & Implementation Science

Session: Innovative qualitative approaches to understanding implementation processes and outcomes in legal systems that serve youth

1 - (SYM 69) Using Emerging Qualitative Approaches to Rapidly Identify Barriers to Connecting Families to Mental Health Services from Family Law Settings

Saturday, November 18, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Location: Sol Duc (708), Level 7
Family law settings serve families during the process of divorce or separation. These families are at risk for significant mental health concerns. Despite evidence that screening families for psychosocial needs and connecting them to appropriate mental health, social, and legal service during their cases improves outcomes (a process known as “triaging”) and may improve equitable access to services for all families, few family law settings have implemented triage models (Rudd & Beidas, 2021).

Funded by the Indiana Supreme Court, a legal-academic partnership was formed in 2020 to aid the development and implementation of family law triaging in Indiana. Stakeholder mapping was used to identify key stakeholders (i.e., judges, administrators, lawyers, community service providers). A diverse group of stakeholders were then recruited (n=18) for individual interviews regarding their perceptions of the barriers to and facilitators of family law triaging implementation. Interview data were collected using summary templates, which are an emerging, innovative means for rapidly organizing and summarizing data during the interview itself (Hamilton, 2013). Data were then analyzed using matrix analysis, a rigorous, rapid analysis technique for analyzing and interpreting qualitative data (Averill, 2002). The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment model (EPIS; Aarons et al., 2011) informed the matrix; the current study takes place during the preparation stage.

There was convergence across stakeholders that triaging was appropriate for family law. Stakeholders identified 25 facilitators and 16 barriers to triage model implementation. Half of stakeholders identified existing court infrastructure (EPIS: organizational characteristics) that could facilitate implementation. The most frequently cited barriers clustered in the inner context. For example, 44% of stakeholders reported lack of buy-in (EPIS: individual characteristics) and limited court resources (EPIS: organizational characteristics), especially personnel to support triaging, as key barriers to implementation. 

Our study identified numerous determinants of success to triage model implementation in family law settings using an innovative approach. While existing court infrastructure provides a foundation for triaging, stakeholders highlighted a clear need for hiring and training what we now call a Family Law Navigator, who will take a leadership role in family law triaging. We will discuss the implications and future directions of this work.