Fellowship Health Resources’ Town Hall Meetings Spark Consumer Focus Group

Fellowship Health Resources (FHR) is once again leading the way in person-centered care with the introduction of a new series of consumer-centered focus groups. The groups, comprised of FHR community members, will provide input as to what does, and does not, work in recovery-directed service. Inspired by consumer responses at FHR regional Town Hall meetings held earlier this year, CEO Joseph Dziobek initiated the formation of Rhode Island-based focus groups. Information yielded from these groups, will provide FHR with an opportunity to learn, first-hand, how consumers feel about the services provided in FHR programs.

A team effort, Fellowship Health Resources’ Communications Assistant and mental health consumer advocate Edward Allard will moderate the focus groups with assistance from Web Content Coordinator and group co-facilitator, Robin Dazzeo. Under the supervision of Margaret Carroll, Director of Corporate Relations, the team has researched the focus group process, and consulted with clinical staff to determine a meaningful approach, designed to help participants feel comfortable and valued.

The team intends to share focus group outcome data with FHR clinical and executive leadership, and expects that this information will further broaden the agency’s implementation of its overarching mission. 

Professor and Director of Rhode Island College’s School of Social Work, and FHR Board Member, Dr. Jayashree Nimmagadda, is coordinating master’s level students at the college to aid in the refinement of the approach. In addition, students will produce academic reports on the focus groups results, reflecting the true qualitative nature of the research. Dr. Nimmagadda served as a leader in the development of FHR’s clinical approach, the PRISMMODEL for the Effective Treatment of Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. Information from the focus groups will support FHR in its continued delivery of Person-Centered, Respectful, Individualized, Strengths-Based, and Mission-Driven care.

The first focus group, composed of consumers from FHR’s Rhode Island programs, meets later this month, and will serve as the pilot group for FHR’s additional eight Regions.