PLANNING MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH .1. A VALUE-BASED APPROACH

The main purpose of the paper is to introduce a value-based approach t o planning in mental health and human sei vices. Based on the values o f self-determination, collaboration and democratic participation, and distributive justice, we present a sequential planning framework that allows stakeholders to consider the following six facets of a service- oriented organization: (a) values, (b) needs, (c) vision, (d) resource s, (e) mission, and (f) service. Following an explanation of the ratio nale and need for such framework, we describe in a case study how we i mplemented this approach in helping a children's mental health agency conduct a mandate review. We describe how we attempted to enact the va lues mentioned above during the pre-entry, entry, work, and separation phases of the consultative process. The case study concludes with a 3 0 month follow-up report. Finally, we discuss the benefits and challen ges encountered in applying this framework, and encourage evaluators a nd program planners to make explicit and share with others the values, assumptions, and premises that guide their work. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd.