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Current Research in Psychology and Behavioral Science
[ ISSN : 2833-0986 ]


Establishing a Community of Practice among Leaders Providing Technical Assistance: Lessons Learned before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Review Article
Volume 3 - Issue 4 | Article DOI : 10.54026/CRPBS/1050


Olga Acosta Price1*, Molly Jordan2 , Lauren Kazee3 and Hanna Ozbeki1

1The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037,
USA
2Boston Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnerships, 300 Longwood Ave BCH3174, Boston, MA 02115,
USA
312522 Pinecrest Dr., Plymouth, MI 48170, USA

Corresponding Authors

Technical assistance; Community of practice; School behavioral health; Child and adolescent mental health; Schoolcommunity partnership

Keywords

Technical assistance; Community of practice; School behavioral health; Child and adolescent mental health; Schoolcommunity partnership

Received : May 12, 2022
Published : May 27, 2022

Abstract

The prevalence of youth behavioral health problems before and during the COVID-19 pandemic justifies continued investment in comprehensive school behavioral health systems that link education and behavioral health partners. Technical assistance (TA) providers typically build capacity among school-community partners to advance implementation of best practices in school behavioral health. The pandemic created major disruptions in the delivery of interventions and caused TA providers to adjust the what, where, when, why, and how they provided consultation and support to partners. The TA Community of Practice (TACoP) brought together seasoned TA providers to share knowledge and resources and engage in problem-solving as they struggled in their unique roles as change agents. This article describes the value of the TACoP in responding to immediate and novel challenges, such as collaboration, community-building, and practice-based issues, within the context of the pandemic. The authors share lessons learned, outline limitations, and offer ideas for future directions.