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Do National Frameworks Help in Local Policy Development? Lessons from Yukon about the Evergreen Child and Youth Mental Health Framework

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
24 February 2016

Abstract

National frameworks are often put forward as a tool for local policy development, but little is known about their effectiveness. In this case study, the usefulness of Canada's Evergreen National Child and Youth Mental Health Framework (Evergreen) is examined in the development of a Yukon Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions Framework (CYMHAF). Evergreen content and processes and the reflections of key informants and the research team are analyzed. The findings suggest that national frameworks can play important roles at the program and strategic levels, saving time and money in developing local frameworks, strengthening rigour, and helping to build consensus among local policy-makers.

Résumé

Les documents-cadres nationaux sont souvent affichés comme étant des outils pour le développement de politiques locales, mais on sait peu de choses sur leur efficacité. Dans cette étude de cas, on étudie l'utilité du document-cadre en matière de santé mentale des enfants et des jeunes au Canada, Evergreen, pour le développement d'un cadre en matière de santé mentale, d'alcoolisme et de toxicomanie chez les enfants et les jeunes au Yukon. On y analyse le contenu et les méthodes d'Evergreen et les réflexions de l’équipe de recherche et des informateurs et informatrices clés. Les résultats suggèrent que les documentscadres nationaux peuvent jouer un rôle important aux niveaux de la stratégie et du programme, permettant d’économiser temps et argent dans le développement d'une politique locale, de renforcer la rigueur, et de consolider l'appui des parties intéressées.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 34Number 4December 2015
Pages: 111 - 128

History

Version of record online: 24 February 2016

Key Words

  1. child and youth mental health
  2. Yukon
  3. national framework
  4. local policy development
  5. addictions
  6. case study

Mots-clés

  1. santé mentale des enfants et des jeunes
  2. Yukon
  3. cadre national
  4. développement des politiques locales
  5. alcoolisme et toxicomanie
  6. étude de cas

Authors

Affiliations

Gillian Mulvale [email protected]
Stanley Kutcher
Glen Randall
Patricia Wakefield
Christopher Longo
Julia Abelson
Judi Winkup
Marie Fast

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