Purpose This paper describes the development and testing of a technological intervention (IMPROVE) designed to enhance the ability of social service workers to provide treatment and case management. It eases decision-making and organizational factors that assist service provision. Research on the Gateway Provider Model (Stiffman, Pescosolido, & Cabasso, 2004) shows that service access is largely determined by individuals who first identify a problem and then give or refer services. Often these individuals are social service workers. The IMPROVE intervention is designed to translate that research into practice. Methods. IMPROVE is a computer program for use in a handheld device or personal computer that accommodates lists of thousands of local referral resources, and a variety of assessment tools. The resources may be accessed by viewing the entire list, by highlighting single or multiple keywords, by completing an assessment, or by entering the name of a particular resource. Clicking on the resource reveals all referral details. The handheld facilitates immediate in-the field referrals and case management. This program will be demonstrated. Initial tests used Child Welfare Workers, comparing usual care with the use of the device in a handheld and in a desktop PC. Results. Results showed high acceptability by all individuals with prior computer experience, and short training times (3 hours). Learning curves to achieve full comfort were inversely proportionate to prior computer skill levels. The short training times are particularly important in environments characterized by high turnover rates. The handheld versus the PC and usual care groups demonstrated higher change scores in identification of youth problems (+6.2 vs. –5 vs. -1), identification of parent problems (+5.5 vs. –4 vs. -.8) and intervention actions (primarily referrals) for youths (+3.5 vs. -6.3 vs. +3.5) and parents (+8.2 vs. 0 vs. 0). Implications for practice. The early study indicates the potential for intervention in multiple social service fields. Currently, an R34 grant is further assessing the impact of the device on decision making, service access, and service costs. By sharing early information about the intervention, others may choose to adopt a similar approach to translating research to practice in other arenas.

Funded by NIMH1 R34 MH072871-01, 1 R24DA13572-01, and 1 K02 MH01797-01A1