Since 2021, the Benchmarks’ Center for Quality Integration has been consulting on Vaya Health's Pathways to Permanency project. This collaboration has brought together six dedicated workgroups, a lived experience council, and an internal Vaya workgroup to address the needs of professionals and foster parents supporting child welfare-involved youth. Through monthly meetings since April 2022, these workgroups have played a pivotal role in analyzing shared strengths and challenges, designing solutions, and implementing plans to address the identified obstacles.
Workgroups offer a structured and collaborative approach to problem-solving, allowing stakeholders to come together, share insights, and collectively generate innovative solutions. In the case of Vaya Health's Pathways to Permanency project, workgroups have proven instrumental in driving positive change. By convening behavioral health providers, child welfare staff, private child placing agencies, foster parents, and individuals with lived experience, the workgroups have created a diverse and inclusive environment where valuable perspectives and expertise can be shared. By acknowledging the strengths and challenges, the workgroups have laid the foundation for designing effective solutions that build upon existing assets while addressing the identified gaps.
Research has consistently highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving successful project outcomes. Workgroups provide a platform for diverse stakeholders to collaborate, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and collective ownership. By involving professionals, foster parents, and individuals with lived experiences, the workgroups ensure that the solutions developed are comprehensive and inclusive. This collaborative effort not only generates more effective strategies but also establishes a network of support and learning, strengthening the overall child welfare system.
Planning for the Future:
As the Pathways to Permanency project approaches its projected end in 8 months, Benchmarks Center for Quality Integration has been actively planning for the transition of the workgroups. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the progress made thus far is sustained and built upon. The knowledge and expertise gained through the workgroup process will serve as a foundation for future initiatives, enabling continued improvement in supporting child welfare-involved youth.
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