Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Proactive Community Outreach and Support Team

To better support individuals with mental health related challenges that frequently come into contact with the police, four partner organizations in London, Ontario co-developed the Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST). This program was designed to be health care led and police supported and involves a police officer and a mental health professional responding to calls together. We conducted three studies aimed at evaluating the COAST. The first study is an implementation analysis that examines whether the COAST program is operating in the way that was intended. Based on a range of data sources, we found that while many aspects of the program do align with the original implementation plan, there are also numerous discrepancies, typically due to the fact that the program was adapting operations to emerging issues (e.g., COVID-19). In the second study, we conducted pre- and post-implementation surveys with staff members working within the partner organizations, as well as satisfaction surveys with clients. The results collectively suggest that while the COAST is perceived as a valuable resource that is perceived as beneficial for clients and staff, it may not be having a broader impact on staff knowledge, attitudes, or workload due to its limited size, scope, and availability, as well as communication challenges. The final study examined the impact of the COAST from multiple perspectives based on in-depth interviews with those who had direct contact with the team. A grounded theory was developed to explain how the COAST takes individuals from suffering to enhanced connection to support. The theory also outlines the supportive conditions that facilitate this process and the key barriers that detract from it. The current dissertation contributes to the growing body of literature that examines the impact of co-response teams. While this research generally supports the value of COAST, it also highlighted specific challenges with the program and identifies areas requiring improvement. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the London COAST, as well as for other communities that are considering implementing similar initiatives or modifying existing ones to enhance outcomes for clients. Keywords: police crisis response, co-response teams, persons in crisis

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Semple, Tori Lynn

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2024 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, distribution to students, research and scholarship. Theses may only be shared by linking to the Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be copied without proper attribution to the author; no part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2024-16008

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/41402