Formative Evaluation of a Technology-Based Behavioral Health Program for Victims of Crime

RTI International seeks to partner with El Futuro, a Durham, North Carolina, behavioral health organization serving Latinos and other community members, to conduct a rigorous, comprehensive formative evaluation of an innovative model of technology-based telemental health services for victims of crime (VOCs). About 20 percent of U.S. residents live in rural areas and report challenges accessing health services. Telehealth can facilitate the provision of services by connecting VOCs to providers from different sites and to behavioral health specialists to whom they otherwise would not have access. The literature is scant on how technology-based telehealth services can reach rural VOCs and other vulnerable populations using a telemental health program (TMHP). Therefore, building on a solid foundation of trust it has established in the community, El Futuro’s hybrid model of services—along with La Mesita, its large network of behavioral health providers throughout North Carolina—combines methods of telehealth and in-person treatment with an array of service components. RTI will conduct an evaluability assessment of existing services and develop a logic model to guide telehealth programming, as well as a pilot test of implementation fidelity of these telehealth services. For the pilot, fidelity data will be conducted in the areas of adherence, competence, responsiveness, and adaptation. Interviews and focus groups will explore barriers and facilitators to implementation of the TMHP. Outcome surveys will include acceptability of the TMHP by VOCs as well as improvements in clinical symptoms. A pilot study with 80 individuals will be conducted to study the four components of the TMHP program—20 subjects each in telepsychiatry, teletherapy, technology-based case consultation, and technology-based case management. Basic descriptive statistics of the quantitative data and content analysis of their qualitative data will be provided for this mixed methods approach. In addition to study findings the applicant indicates the following deliverables will be offered to include a toolkit, practitioner briefs, and peer-reviewed journal articles will disseminate their findings. "Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF