Mary Evans, PhD, College of Nursing, College of Nursing University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, (813) 974-9112, mevans@hsc.usf.edu and Mary Armstrong, PhD, Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612.

The purpose of this federally funded study was to examine the level of collaboration among child serving organizations within a system of care (SOC) and to investigate the relationship between policy development, implementation and collaboration. Mixed methods were used to obtain information about collaboration and the factors that facilitate or hinder the development of collaboration. The initial phase of the research involved obtaining data on how states established SOC. These data were cluster analyzed into 5 different approaches and site visits were conducted at 2 sites in each cluster. Site visits included interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups, observation and record review and administration of a collaboration scale. Findings: 301 key informants in 10 states completed the collaboration scale and interview. Data derived from the scale indicated that there were significant differences in attitudes toward collaboration, collaborative behaviors, and knowledge about the SOC across sites. Qualitative data were used to interpret these differences and to examine the relationship between how policy establishing the SOC was developed and implemented and the level of collaboration among participants. Six hypotheses were tested and the results using both qualitative and quantitative data will be described. It was concluded that much of what we have believed about the implementation of SOC was not supported by the data. Suggestions are made for future research on SOC.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation the audience members will

• understand the importance of using mixed methods in conducting research on systems of care for children with serious emotional disturbance.
• be familiar with the variations in collaboration among child serving organizations in 10 states
• learn about the barriers and facilitators of collaboration
• understand the relationship between how policy is developed and implemented and the level of collaboration among organizations.

Keywords: Collaboration, Child/Adolescent Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.