Change in Collaborative Ties in a Children’s Mental Health Services Network: A Clique Perspective

Effective mental health service delivery networks are organized around clusters of closely coordinated provider organizations, or organizational cliques. Yet, research overlooks conditions that influence clique change and implications for aligning services. This study examines changes in organizational cliques within a regional children's behavioral health service delivery network over a two-year period characterized by substantial funding increases. Results from quantitative network survey data, and administrative data gathered from 22 non-profit organizations show that cliques expanded and overlapped two years after a funding influx. Cliques aligning organizations with more distinct services experienced greater tie churn, and may be vulnerable to change.