Systems Transformation
Conflict and Systems Transformation
Systems transformation implies a revolution in our fundamental viewpoint, a change in the very essence of what we believe and what we do. Transformation also requires that multiple systems are brought into alignment – systems that often have conflicting values, procedures, financing, and politics. Building effective coalitions or collaborations – an essential step in systems transformation - often involves changing both the culture of organizations and the behavior of individuals.
Systems change efforts sometimes fail due to intractible conflicts between individuals or organizations. More often, they fail because existing conflicts are never identified, acknowledged or addressed. The field of conflict management provides a framework for identifying and understanding conflicts, developing positive methods for handling differences, and using the energy released to transform systems of care.
Conflict and Systems Transformation: A Brief Report (July, 2005)
Concept paper and literature review highlighting the role of conflict in systems change.
Conflict in Children’s Systems of Care
Since 1993, SAMHSA has provided funding for the development of over 90 local systems of care in communities throughout the United States. The “system of care” model for children’s mental health services requires that effective partnerships be developed between parents and professionals and between service sectors with different missions and mandates. Conflict is an inevitable outcome of trying to make dramatic changes in the way people think and act, and there is huge potential for conflict in the development of systems of care. At the current time, however, little is known about the nature and extent of conflicts in system of care initiatives, how conflicts are perceived by participants, or how the use of conflict management technologies could improve the likelihood of effective, sustained interagency partnerships.
To address this need, a group of experts in the fields of conflict management and children’s system development have joined together to focus on the role conflict plays in systems of care. Under the leadership of the University of South Florida, faculty from the School of Nursing and FMHI have joined with the Missouri Institute of Mental Health and individuals trained in conflict management techniques who are currently involved with system of care development. The goal of this focused effort is to explore conflict in interagency collaboration and to develop, implement and test interventions to support and improve sustainability of systems of care.
Conflict: Roadblock to Success or Essential Ingredient for Change (April, 2006)
Article published in SAMHSA-funded TA Partnership Newsletter.
Conflict Resolution and Systems of Care: A Five-Year Study (February, 2006)
The University of South Florida, under contract with ORC-MACRO, has undertaken a five-year study looking at the role of conflict in systems of care. ORC-MACRO is responsible for coordinating all multi-site evaluation activities for SAMHSA. The purpose of the study is to examine the nature and extent of inter-organizational conflicts; what impact they have in the design and implementation of systems of care for children’s mental health, and strategies undertaken to resolve the conflict. From this study, an intervention (s) will be developed and piloted.
Instrument used in ORC-MACRO study to assess perceptions of conflict among systems of care mandated interagency governing boards.
Conflict Self-Assessment (June, 2007)
This instrument provides a series of questions to help systems of care take an objective look at how conflict affects their team and how the group handles it.
Click here to submit your own story about conflicts in systems of care
Collaborative for Conflict Management in Mental Health
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa, FL 33612 USA
Contact us by E-mail: akblanch@aol.com