Youth and youth coordinators' perspectives on youth involvement in systems of care

To increase understanding of the current status of youth involvement in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-funded system-of-care communities, focus groups with youth and youth coordinators were conducted as part of the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. Using focus group discussions as the primary qualitative data analysis method, these discussions addressed the ways in which youths are involved in their communities, the role of youth coordinators, the challenges that hinder youth participation, and strategies for overcoming these challenges. Discussions revealed that the most common form of youth involvement is through youth groups, and that apart from these groups, youth participation is largely absent. Key challenges to youth involvement include stigma and lack of support from system-of-care administrators and staff.