|
|
|
Virtual Center of Excellence
The Virtual Center of Excellence (VCE) was created by Detroit Wayne County CMH Agency (DWCCMHA) in 2006 to promote system transformation through workforce development. VCE is a network for the ongoing development and dissemination of information regarding best-practices for mental health and substance abuse service delivery.
The Guidance Center, of Southgate, serves as a coordinator by developing and supporting the Coalition of Partners in participation in the VCE.
The following three elements, together, enable the development of a marketplace of best practices by forming a system which incorporates new knowledge, improves performance and creates a mechanism for the institutionalization and maintenance of best practices throughout Detroit and Wayne County:
Coalition-Building
- Identify organizations and solicit their participation
- Identify specific members to serve in the Coalition
- Ensure communication between partners (i.e. host VCE meetings)
- Obtain direction and advisement in meeting VCE goals
- Conduct regular VCE Coalition meetings
- Coordinate active interaction and exchange of information between research/evaluation, the Planning Council and various VCE training components
- Coordinate the research, development and dissemination of core competencies and training thresholds by monitoring implementation and providing continuous feedback
Education and Training
- Provide education for professionals, para-professionals, consumers, Board members and the community
- Oversee the development and implementation of Human Service, Social Work Mental Health, Gerontology, Direct Care Worker, Addiction Studies and Supervision curricula
- Oversee system-wide trainings and conferences, ensuring that appropriate CEUs are available
- Conduct a minimum of two annual conferences
- Develop distance learning, including web-based training
- Research, develop and disseminate core competencies and training thresholds
Science-Based Practice
- Identify, implement and evaluate mental health-relevant and evidence-based practices, sharing information at the University/College and community levels
- Support/Coordinate implementation of best-practice models
- Assess fidelity with best-practice models
- Facilitate implementation of new science-based practices
- Evaluate outcomes and performance indicators in partnership with practitioners
- Disseminate results at a state/national level, including the funding community (i.e. state and federal foundations
- Work toward informing curriculum development at the University/College level to aid in the preparation of a qualified workforce
- Establish website with best-practice materials
- Link the VCE website to other informational web-based centers
- Research, develop and disseminate core competencies and training thresholds
- Monitor fidelity in support of a continuous learning environment
- Confirm quality improvement through ongoing monitoring, evaluation and feedback
|
