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Contracting and Procurement for Evidence-Based Interventions in Public-Sector Human Services: A Case Study
Cathleen E Willging1, Gregory A Aarons2, Elise M Trott3
1Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest, 612 Encino Place, NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102, USA. cwillging@pire.org.
Administration and Policy in Mental Health
|September 21, 2015
Summary
Procurement models for human services can harm evidence-based interventions (EBIs) by ignoring local knowledge. This impacts community-based organizations (CBOs) and stakeholder relationships in child welfare systems.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Sustainment of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) relies on internal community-based organization (CBO) factors and external environmental contexts.
- Public sector human services procurement increasingly adopts for-profit industry contracting models.
- Child welfare systems face challenges in maintaining effective service delivery through traditional procurement methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the implementation of a Best Value-Performance Information Procurement System (BV-PIPS) for contracting EBIs in a child welfare setting.
- To understand the perspectives of government and CBO stakeholders on this new procurement approach.
- To identify potential impacts of the procurement system on CBOs and the sustainment of EBIs.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative case study approach was employed.
- In-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from government agencies and CBOs.
- The study focused on the implementation of the BV-PIPS within a specific child welfare system.
Main Results:
- Implementing the BV-PIPS revealed potential compromises in stakeholder relationships.
- Procurement practices that disregard local knowledge, communication, and collaboration were identified as detrimental.
- The study highlights the tension between standardized procurement and the nuanced needs of CBOs.
Conclusions:
- Procurement strategies in human services must integrate local context and stakeholder input to effectively support EBIs.
- The adoption of for-profit contracting models requires careful consideration of their impact on CBOs and public health initiatives.
- Effective sustainment of EBIs necessitates collaborative relationships built on mutual understanding and respect between government and service providers.