Approaches to Funding Centralized Services: Lessons Learned from the Understanding the Value of Centralized Services Study

This brief presents examples or frameworks for practitioners seeking to better understand the various ways funding can support centralized service provision. It summarizes the funding sources and approaches of each of the three CCRCs visited for the VOCS study, how the CCRCs handle shared costs across programs, how funding has changed over time, the implications of funding structures for service delivery, and key takeaways for practitioners considering how to fund their own centralized services efforts.

• Centralizing services does not require a certain funding model. Each of the three CCRCs uses a funding approach that is appropriate for its organization and funding sources. 
• Funding streams dictate what is or is not allowable, and these requirements are important in how CCRCs structure centralized services.
• Flexible up-front investment is often required, either to develop the physical space needed or to build systems to centralize efficiently. The CCRCs use different funding sources to meet these needs. 
• Flexible and varied funding approaches are helpful for centralization because they allow CCRCs to withstand changes over time and to adapt services to meet client needs, especially in a crisis. Like many service providers, the CCRCs adapt to changes in program funding over time. According to CCRC staff, providing centralized services can help secure new funding including COVID relief funding in recent years.
   

The VOCS study included three components. First, the team engaged interested individuals and experts. Interested individuals included federal staff, individuals who have experience in the design of services and supports for families at a systems level, and practitioners and individuals with lived experience accessing centralized services. Meetings with these individuals focused on key topics such as what they hoped to learn from the project, how they thought findings from the project could inform their work, suggestions for which CCRCs to engage in qualitative data collection, and feedback on the study design and dissemination approaches. In addition, four experts from different areas of expertise and fields provided input on the study’s design, data collection plans, and draft reports. 

Second, the team conducted a literature review that summarized findings from other literature reviews conducted for prior studies on centralized services and from 27 articles identified through a targeted search of academic databases and gray literature, as well as suggestions from federal staff and contractors involved in coordinated services research. The literature review laid the foundation and identified gaps in the research for further in-depth exploration through qualitative data collection during three site visits.

Third, the VOCS team collected qualitative data during in-person visits to Blackfeet Manpower One-Stop Center (Browning, Montana), Neighborhood Place (Louisville, Kentucky), and Wayne Metro Community Action Agency (Detroit, Michigan). The team conducted semi-structured interviews with program leadership, staff, and partners; focus groups with clients; and observations of partner meetings and physical space including lobbies and general office layouts. This brief draws on findings from the study’s qualitative data collection regarding different funding approaches that CCRCs use for their centralized service approaches and the implications for service delivery. These findings address the research question above and can provide insight to practitioners who may be considering whether and how to centralize services.
 

Morrison, Carly. 2022. Approaches to Funding Centralized Services: Lessons Learned from the Understanding the Value of Centralized Services Study. OPRE Report #2022-246, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This study is registered on Open Science Framework under the title Understanding the Value of Centralized Services. Information collections related to this project have been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under OMB #0970-0587. Related materials are available at the Understanding the Value of Centralized Services Study page on RegInfo.gov.

The most currently approved documents are accessible by clicking on the ICR Ref. No. with the most recent conclusion date. To access the information collections (e.g., interviews, surveys, protocols), click on View Information Collection (IC) List. Click on View Supporting Statement and Other Documents to access other supplementary documents.