Implementing an intervention for parents with mental illness: Building workforce capacity.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the challenges in building workforce capacity when implementing an intervention for families living with parental mental illnesses. METHOD: Data were obtained in the context of a larger, developmental, mixed-methods study. Participants included all agency employees working with families in the Family Options intervention on a daily basis. In-depth interviews were representative of the implementation time frame and activities, and the range of staff members' roles and involvement in the implementation process. Themes emerged as interview transcripts were coded qualitatively using a constant comparative approach. RESULTS: Identifying complex family needs, anticipating the needs of children, and addressing staff needs for training and support were crucial considerations in implementing a family intervention. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As the psychiatric rehabilitation field acknowledges the impact of family life on adults as well as children, and moves toward family informed services, knowledge of how to shape and support this specialized workforce is essential.