Understanding differences in family engagement and provider outreach in New Journeys: A coordinated specialty care program for first episode psychosis.

ABSTRACT

The present study examined clinician outreach efforts to families and family engagement; and predictors of engagement in a coordinated specialty care (CSC) for first episode psychosis. From 2015 to 2019, 211 clients experiencing their first episode of psychosis and their family members received services from New Journeys, a network of CSC programs in the United States. Analyses examined the association between race/ethnicity, insurance type, referral source, housing stability, and outreach efforts and family attendance. Overall, 70% of client family members attended at least one psychoeducation appointment and in the first month of treatment 40% of family members attended family psychoeducation. Outreach efforts including phone attempts (ß=1.09; p = 0.02) and phone contact (ß=1.10; p = 0.02) were significantly higher for Black families relative to White families; whereas Black families were scheduled less often for a family psychoeducation (ß=-0.28; p = 0.02) compared to Whites families. Significant differences in family attendance based on insurance type were also found (p<0.01). Referral source and housing stability were not significant predictors of outreach or attendance. These findings suggest that alternative engagement efforts that extend beyond in-person contact may be needed to continuously engage families, specifically Black families and those with public and no insurance.