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Developing a sustainable child and family service system after a community tragedy: Lessons from Sandy Hook
Author(s) -
Hoagwood Kimberly Eaton,
Olin Suchin Serene,
Wang Nicole M.,
Pollock Michele,
Acri Mary,
Glaeser Elizabeth,
Whitmyre Emma D.,
StorferIsser Amy,
Horwitz Sarah McCue
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.21890
Subject(s) - respondent , sustainability , service (business) , service system , public relations , service provider , business , community service , plan (archaeology) , officer , marketing , political science , geography , ecology , archaeology , law , biology
Abstract This article describes a systematic approach to assessing community services post‐Sandy Hook shooting. An evaluation team was invited to develop a sustainability plan for community services in Newtown. Service organizations, providers, and families were interviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the range of services; respondent perspectives were coded using content analysis. We found that Newtown has a broad array of community services, but respondent groups varied in their perceptions of service adequacy. Consensus existed about core components of an ideal service system, including centralizing access; coordinating care, personalizing and tailoring services for families, and providing evidence‐based care. The strategic community assessment approach developed here may inform how communities examine their service capacity and develop sustainability plans post‐disaster.