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CFS Research Faculty Linda Callejas, PhD Receives Grant from Indiana Family and Social Services Administration

She and her team will evaluate behavioral health services for culturally diverse populations

Disparities in behavioral health among culturally diverse populations continue to serve as a key concern for state behavioral health systems focused on ensuring quality care and promoting wellness to all residents. The State of Indiana’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) has undertaken several statewide initiatives to address these disparities and promote equity. They are now funding an evalution, led by CFS Research Assistant Professor Linda Callejas, PhD, to assess how well statewide equity efforts have worked to reduce behavioral health disparities, particularly those experienced by including racial/ethnic, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized communities within the state.

Dr. Callejas will work with CFS evaluation team members Anna Abella, PhD; Monica Landers, PhD; Svetlana Yampolskaya, PhD; Connie Walker, PhD; René Anderson; and Ruby Joseph, MPA to evaluate health equity strategies implemented by behavioral health providers funded by the Indiana’s DMHA. The evaluation study is expected to provide important findings about how well equity initiatives have reduced disparities experienced by diverse populations in the state..

"Equity strategies implemented by Indiana’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction were supported by technical assistance and training provided by the team I led for the Technical Assistance Network for Children’s Behavioral Health during 2015-2020," said Dr. Callejas. "The current project also funds a technical assistance team that will provide guidance to DMHA leadership based on our evaluation findings."

The evaluation study will use primary and secondary data analyses to identify and examine disparities in behavioral health service provision, accessibility, utilization, and outcomes, as well as reductions over time in response to the statewide implementation of equity strategies. Concurrent with data analysis, the evaluation team will provide intensive consultation and technical assistance to DMHA leadership and staff to support ongoing efforts to strengthen and build on existing equity initiatives.