Citation

Hoagwood KE, Olin SS, Wang NM, Pollock M, Acri MC, Glaeser E, Whitmyre ED, Storfer-Isser A, Horwitz SM. J. Community Psychol. 2017; 45(6): 748-764.

Affiliation

Professor, NYU Langone Medical Center.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jcop.21890

PMID

28775389

PMCID

PMC5536844

Abstract

This paper describes a systematic approach to assessing community services post-Sandy Hook shooting. An evaluation team was invited to develop a sustainability plan for community services in Newtown. Service organizations, providers and families were interviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the range of services; respondent perspectives were coded using content analysis. We found that Newtown has a broad array of community services, but respondent groups varied in their perceptions of service adequacy. Consensus existed about core components of an ideal service system, including centralizing access; coordinating care; personalizing and tailoring services for families; and providing evidence-based care. The strategic community assessment approach developed here may inform how communities examine their service capacity and develop sustainability plans post-disaster.

Language: en

Keywords

Assessment of community service capacity; community response to school shooting; mental health services; post disaster planning; sustainability