Sherril B. Gelmon, DrPH¹, Eric Einspruch, PhD², Diana Wolford, MPH¹, and Kevin Donegan³. (1) College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207-0751, 503-725-3044, gelmons@pdx.edu, (2) RMC Research Corporation, 522 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 1407, Portland, OR 97204-2131, (3) Willamette Bridge, Janus Youth Programs, Inc., 707 NE Couch St., Portland, OR 97232-2922

Project Metamorphosis is a community-wide collaboration of agencies providing alcohol, drug, mental health and other social services to homeless youth in Portland, OR. Its primary goal is to increase service provision to youth through a seamless continuum of services. Supporting goals include building a system-wide organizational culture distinguished by use of common language, supportive treatment philosophies, and collaborative management practices. The work of Project Metamorphosis is accomplished through system-wide groups including a senior management team, a service treatment team, outreach workers who are formerly homeless youth now in recovery, and an evaluation team that is a public/private sector collaboration. The project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Local Initiative Funding Partners" program, with additional local foundation support.

A survey of system participants was conducted at the end of the second year of RWJF funding. The survey population included direct service providers, agency administrators, board members, and other agency staff indirectly associated with the project. The focus of the survey was to gain broad input into understanding the extent to which Project Metamorphosis has moved towards goal accomplishment. In addition to seeking insights on system-wide coordination and collaboration, the survey also sought information regarding attitudes and actions related to provision of drug, mental health and alcohol services to homeless youth.

In this presentation, representatives will present survey findings, articulate facilitators and barriers to goal accomplishment; discuss insights into best practices; and offer suggestions for strategies for replication elsewhere. The presenters are members of the evaluation and service provision teams.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe a multi-agency collaboration to create a system of alcohol, drug and mental health service provision for homeless youth.
• To present the results of a comprehensive survey of system participants.
• To describe barriers and challenges to creating a seamless system of services.
• To identify lessons that are transferable to other communities on how to effectively and sustainably collaborate in addressing these issues.

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Homeless Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Outside In, Janus Youth Programs, De Paul Treatment Centers, New Avenues for Youth, Portland State University, RMC Research Corporation, Northwest Health Foundation
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.