Two things continue to excite me about training folks in CDOI: first is the opportunity to meet people on the front lines who truly value this work and strive to get better at it; and two, being able to experience the application of CDOI well beyond its beginnings in traditional outpatient psychotherapy: for example, like Mary Haynes and case management (and other areas), Bob Bohanske and wrap around (and other areas), Barry Winstead and adult inpatient, Dave Claude and residential “co-occurring disorder” services, just to mention a few. Such applications take quite a commitment to client privilege as well as a large dose of creativity to figure out the logistics involved. Any data that can be collected in such settings will go a long way to support CDOI ideas and practices, and further the mission of bringing clients into the inner circle of decision making about their own care. Because before the measures were validated and long before others and our own RCTs found the power of feedback to improve effectiveness, there was a desire to privilege client voice and provide services that are just.

So I wanted to let you know that we are continuing to get more folks on board in such settings. I was in Jackson, Mississippi a couple of weeks ago and they are gearing up for application in child/adolescent inpatient, residential, foster care, and home-based preservation services. Art Ring is leading a very talented group at Mississippi Children’s Home and I look forward to their success. And Wesley Community Action in New Zealand is also taking CDOI to places I never imagined it could go. David Hanna and Robyn Pope are applying CDOI in walk in community centers, services for the elderly who have just transitioned to assisted living arrangements, foster care, and other social services. Their commitment to social justice continues to inspire me. Their credo:

We are working for a just and caring society
We believe positive change is always possible
We work in partnership with people,
We listen actively
We respond with honesty and openness
We remain open to challenge, change and growth
We work …
As members of communities
Out of compassion
As facilitators of positive change

They are starting a network of CDOI interested folks in New Zealand. New Zealanders should contact Robyn at  RPope@wesleyca.org.nz.

On another note, here are my slides for an upcoming workshop in West Palm Beach that provide the rationale for practive based evidence and CDOI.

PBEUpdateSlides