WRI Past Projects . . .

Health and Mental Health (see also AIDS/HIV)

Child and Adolescent Health Profile — In collaboration with the New York State Department of Health and the Council on Children and Families, WRI conducted a three‑year project to identify and integrate existing health data concerning children and adolescents for the purposes of monitoring their health status, obtaining an overview of their preventive and primary care needs, and monitoring the impact of current programs.  Publications resulting from the project include the Profile report, the Resource Manual, Replication Manual, and an Annotated Bibliography.  Conducted during the 1980’s, the project was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Congregate Care Health Services Manual — In 1998, WRI assisted the New York City Administration for Children’s Services in the development and production of a health services manual for staff caring for children in congregate care facilities.  Covering both medical and mental health services, the manual presents policies and procedures related to intake, health care maintenance, communicable diseases, medical conditions, emergencies, child abuse and maltreatment, medication administration, and discharge.  Included in the appendices are lists of providers as well as medical standards and protocols.

Coordinated Children's Services Initiative (CCSI) — Through a contract with the New York City Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, WRI administered the project grant (allocated by a collaboration of state agencies) and provided support to the initiative from 1994 to 1996.  The project, conducted in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, provided interagency, community‑based coordination and collaboration in the provision of services (primarily mental health, social services, and education) to children who are severely emotionally disturbed and their families.  Participating entities included the respective state and city agencies, community‑based organizations, advocacy groups, community leaders, and parents.

Health Care Outreach Campaign — The Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, Inc. (MHRA) contracted with WRI to conduct a major Health Care Outreach Campaign in New York City.  The 1990 campaign was designed to inform and educate individuals about the care and services they might need, to advertise the availability of these services through the Medicaid program for Medicaid‑eligible individuals, and to motivate a change in behavior so that these individuals would practice healthy habits and seek appropriate services when necessary.  A coordinated public relations strategy was used to introduce and facilitate implementation of the campaign which employed such tools as posters, transit cards, and brochures.

Health Services Manual for Foster Care Services – WRI is assisting the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) in developing Working Together: Health Services for Children in Foster Care. A workgroup from local districts, regional offices, voluntary agencies, and the State Department of Health (DOH) is providing advice and resources.  The manual is based on the standards of health care developed by OCFS and DOH and will draw on State law, policies, and regulations as well as materials from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Child Welfare League of America.  The manual is targeted to health and non-health care staff of local service districts and voluntary agencies and will form the basis of a curriculum and subsequent training around the state.

Injury Prevention Program Evaluation — The New York City Department of Health received a capacity‑building grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to (1) establish a new injury prevention program within the Department of Health, and (2) conduct activities, such as collaboration‑building, programmatic interventions, surveillance, and information dissemination, to reduce injuries.  Over the five‑year grant period, the Injury Prevention Program has become a center of injury prevention activities within the Department and instrumental in putting the issue of injury prevention on the public health agenda.  The evaluation report details the successes as well as the problems experienced by the program in seeking its objectives.  In 1994, WRI received a grant from the New York City Department of Health to provide editorial and design assistance in the production of the report.

Medicaid Managed Care Plan — The New York City Office of Medicaid Managed Care asked WRI to compile and develop the mandated Medicaid Managed Care Plan for New York City.  Published in November 1992, the Plan explains in detail the methods for meeting the city's first‑year goal of enrolling at least 10 percent of the eligible Medicaid population in managed care and outlines the approach for reaching the remaining recipients to fulfill the State's mandate by the end of five years.

Medicaid Managed Care Proposal — In late 1995, WRI assisted The Bronx Health Plan with the development and submission of its proposal to the New York State Health Department to continue providing Medicaid managed care services in the Bronx.  WRI coordinated the development, writing, and production of the multi-part proposal, which was successfully funded for continuation.

Medicaid Managed Care Special Needs Plan — In 1997, WRI assisted OPTIONS Health Care, Inc., a Mental Health Special Needs Plan (a type of Medicaid managed care plan), with the development and submission of its response to a Request for Information issued jointly by the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Office of Mental Health.  The RFI was issued as part of the implementation of new legislation authorizing the establishment of SNPs to serve people with serious mental illness.

New York City School Health Services Manual — WRI worked with the New York City Board of Education and the New York City Department of Health to develop a City‑wide school health services manual in 1995.  With funding from the Board of Education, WRI revised and updated material from previous manuals produced by the two agencies and integrated new information to reflect current health services programs in New York City schools.

Recruitment, Retention, and Training of Health Care Workers — In 1992, WRI analyzed fiscal and organizational issues surrounding the role of Nurse Referrals, Inc. in relation to the Health and Hospitals Corporation and the Licensed Home Health Agency.  The resulting report described recent developments regarding the nurse workforce in New York City and made recommendations from a fiscal and non‑fiscal point of view.