The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been working with researchers, human services agency leaders, and persons with lived experience to visualize, describe, and document models of prevention within human services. To support this goal, ASPE sponsored the Case Studies in Supporting Prevention through Human Services Program Integration project to explore innovative prevention approaches that integrate human services, including preventing child welfare involvement, promoting housing stability and preventing homelessness for youth and families, and increasing the use of economic supports such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
This brief summarizes case study findings from nine sites across the U.S. that integrate human services with a prevention lens. It includes how case study sites integrated services; what helped and challenged sites during the ongoing implementation of their integrated prevention initiatives; and ideas and strategies for improving implementation to sustain programs and services in the future. Key themes throughout this brief include:
- Human services integration can reduce burden on individuals and families seeking services by reducing duplicative eligibility determinations, enrollment processes, service provision, and communication between individuals or families and staff. It enables service providers to support individuals and families participating in services before they are in crisis and may improve efficiency.
- Case study sites simplified access and met families’ immediate needs by offering services at a centralized location and by using a no-wrong-door approach. They also offered stabilization supports, integrated case management, and used navigation approaches.
- Many sites embraced partnerships with community partners throughout the design and implementation of their initiatives, which helped sites center community values in initiative design and build trust with community members.
- Sites shared strategies to address funding and staffing challenges, such as proactive communication with partners and braiding funding at the administrative level. They also used data to assess and improve implementation and outcomes.
Available Reports:
Related Products: