Organizing a staff development department: the Fort Logan Model.

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services
• Healthcare Administration
• Professional Development

Background:

• The Fort Logan Mental Health Center established a staff development department to enhance interdisciplinary coordination.
• Initial phases exhibited significant interdisciplinary competition among staff.
• The department aimed to integrate training and improve collaborative practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a dedicated staff development department on interdisciplinary coordination.
• To evaluate the evolution of staff skills and collaborative dynamics.
• To document the services offered by the department.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative observation of staff interactions and departmental evolution.
• Analysis of the department's service offerings (preservice, inservice, continuing education, consultation).
• Tracking the development of staff capabilities and roles.

Main Results:

• Initial interdisciplinary competition gradually diminished through sustained interaction.
• Staff developed multiple capabilities, enhancing their effectiveness in training and systems intervention.
• The department successfully integrated various training programs and consultation services.

Conclusions:

• Continued interaction and evolving needs effectively reduced interdisciplinary competition.
• Staff development initiatives can lead to a versatile and highly capable workforce.
• The department's structure supports comprehensive training and intervention strategies.