The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62055

Jorge Partida, PsyD, San Francisco Department of Publich Health (DPH), 1380 Howard Ave., 4rth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, 414-255-3516, jorge_partida@dph.sf.ca.us

The Department of Public Health for San Francisco City and County has embarked on an ambitious plan to integrate its separate departments of Substance Abuse services and Mental Health Services into a Behavioral Health system. This integration will merge all clinical, administrative and economic functions of the department. Under such integration, prevention services will be redesigned and implemented utilizing a broad, comprehensive approach to primary and secondary prevention services. Through this process, the Department will utilize community based organizations (CBOs) current clients, external advisory organizations and consultants to create a forum whereby prevention needs can be articulated and comprehensive strategies designed to address the complexities of prevention throughout the service spectrum.

Historically, perspectives and prevention strategies have often become synonymous with youth focused programs that aim at keeping children in recreational and diversion programs after-school. While these activities certainly are an element of prevention, our approach seeks to expand the discussion to focus on the creation of a service continuum that views prevention throughout various age groups and recognizes different service modalities designed to reduce the need for more intensive interventions. This perspective of prevention seeks to incorporate various voices in the community and sees prevention as a venue where comprehensive assessment and engagement can lead to appropriate, holistic treatment perspectives

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session participants will be able to
• Identify traditional approaches to primary and secondary prevention
• Develop strategies and interventions designed to increase community input and participation
• Define integrated approaches to prevention focusing on comprehensive behavioral health perspectives.

Keywords: Adult and Child Mental Health,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Deputy Director of Behavioral Health-Employed by DPH.