Policy Research Associates (Policy Research) has launched an innovative technical assistance hub, the Systems Mapping and Training Center. The Systems Mapping and Training Center is an initiative of Policy Research to provide mapping and training services to decision-makers across a wide range of fields, including behavioral health, the criminal-legal system, homelessness, and Veterans services.

Systems mapping is a collaborative process that produces data-driven systems change using a public health approach. It allows participants to identify gaps, resources, and opportunities at strategic intercepts and create a robust system to achieve a common goal. We tailor our systems mapping events to a community’s specific needs—whether that be focusing on a population (e.g., people with acquired brain injury), treatment need (e.g., substance use disorder treatment), or intercept (e.g., community reentry from prison).

Trainings bring people together to work on key issues affecting communities. Trainings are developed and facilitated by subject-matter experts from the Systems Mapping and Training Center using adult-learning best practices and can be delivered in person or virtually. Participants can either go on to train other trainers or use their training to enhance their impact in their community.

Policy Research’s experience with systems mapping and training spans over 35 years. Policy Research has provided mapping and training services to more than 400 communities in urban, suburban, rural, and frontier localities.

The Systems Mapping and Training Center is led by Policy Research Vice President Travis Parker, who has extensive experience in systems mapping, especially regarding front-end diversion in the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM). The SIM is a framework for driving improved community responses to individuals with behavioral health conditions in (or at risk of entering) the criminal legal system. The SIM was first developed in the early 2000s by Drs. Munetz, Griffin, and Steadman and has since been adapted by Policy Research. Parker brings significant direct service and administrative experience to this role, including providing behavioral health services in correctional facilities and managing behavioral health and managed-care organizations.

Parker shared, “Over the last 20 years, we have seen, first-hand, the importance of bringing together community leaders, family members, people with lived experiences, and many others to the same table to identify where cross-systems strengths, gaps, and other issues exist. Community collaboration, via a Sequential Intercept Model Mapping Workshop, can take gaps across a system and begin to develop them into solutions, strengths, and opportunities for recovery. We are proud of the progress the jurisdictions we have worked with over the years have made. Our work is centered on using a public health, solution-focused approach, and we look forward to the opportunity to work with and provide strategic planning to you and your community.”

The Systems Mapping and Training Center is proud to offer the following services to communities across the United States:

  • Competence to Stand Trial Mapping Workshops: Strengthen a community’s ability to reduce competence restoration waitlists and shorten individuals’ stays in hospitals or jails by identifying system improvements.

  • Crisis Intercept Mapping Workshops for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families: Strengthen a community’s capacity to deliver effective suicide prevention, crisis response, and postvention services for service members and Veterans.

  • Homelessness Response Systems Mapping Workshops: Strengthen a community’s ability to identify community-based responses to homelessness through targeted steps at critical intersections.

  • How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice Responses: Strengthens criminal legal professionals’ understanding of trauma and its impact, enhancing their ability to develop and implement trauma-informed responses.

  • How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses Train-the-Trainer: Teaches experienced trainers how to deliver our How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses curriculum.

  • How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Judicial Decision-Making: Strengthens court professionals’ understanding of trauma and its impact, enhancing their ability to develop and implement trauma-informed responses in a court setting.

  • Sequential Intercept Model Facilitator Training: Teaches experienced facilitators how to deliver a Sequential Intercept Model Mapping Workshop in their community and integrate local expertise.

  • Sequential Intercept Model Mapping Workshops: Strengthen a community’s ability to respond to the involvement of people with behavioral health conditions in the criminal legal system.

  • Summit Strategic Planning Workshops: Strengthen a region or state’s ability to collaboratively identify resources, duplications, and gaps in its systems.

Visitors to the Systems Mapping and Training Center website will find:

  • an interactive map of where Policy Research has conducted systems mapping and training events;
  • an explanation of systems mapping, including how it can be used as a catalyst for change;
  • core components and values that Systems Mapping and Training Center facilitators bring to their work; and
  • a platform for certified trainers and facilitators to access resources.

Interested in learning more or bringing the Systems Mapping and Training Center’s services to your community? Visit the website and contact the team today!

About the Systems Mapping and Training Center

The Systems Mapping and Training Center, operated by Policy Research, offers systems mapping and training services tailored to fit the needs of communities interested in strengthening their service systems. The Center uses a public health approach to create data-driven systems change. We bring together community partners who serve the same system but may not interact with one another to create person-centered systems. Learn more at smtc.prainc.com.

About Policy Research Associates

Policy Research Associates, a women-owned small business, has led behavioral health systems transformation since 1987. We provide research, technical assistance, training, and policy evaluation services. We specialize in creating positive social change in areas including the criminal legal system, homelessness and income supports, Veterans, systems mapping, and positive youth development. Learn more at prainc.com.