Project Trust, Part 1

Kaiser Foundation of Northern California Innovation Grant

2017-2018

An initiative of the Center for Innovation in Ministry, featuring research exploration of the reasons for underuse of mental health systems by African American communities in the Bay Area.

This research was conducted in partnership with academic researchers from Palo Alto University. All research was compliant with the standards set by the Institutional Review Board (also known as the Independent Ethics Committee.)

Granting Organization

Kaiser Foundation of Northern California Innovation Grant (Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs)

Leadership

	Rev. Floyd Thompkins Director of the Center for Innovation in Ministry at San Francisco Theological Seminary
	Peter Goldblum, PhD, MPH Professor Emeritus and past Director of Clinical Training at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University
	Rev. Dr. D. Mark Wilson Assistant Professor of Congregational Leadership at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley

Accomplishments and Results

• Defined the experience of African American churches with mental health providers and mental health system.
• Discovered what the barriers and issues are that cause mistrust.
• Conducted five focus groups with churches.
• Conducted four focus groups with pastors/ministers/bishops.
• Conducted two focus groups with mental health providers.
• Conducted one-to-one interviews with community leaders.
• Developed a seminar entitled “Mental Health and Spirituality Working Together.”