Date of Conferral

9-16-2026

Date of Award

September 2026

Degree

Doctor of Human Services (D.H.S.)

School

Human Services

Advisor

Nicole Hamilton

Abstract

Access to mental health-related services has remained a significant human services concern for uninsured and underinsured adults in Brazoria County, Texas, where financial, transportation, provider-capacity, and service-coordination barriers affected access and continuity of care. The purpose of this qualitative modified action research study was to explore how human service professionals supported uninsured and underinsured adults needing mental health-related services and to identify practice-informed strategies to improve access, coordination, and continuity of care. Lewin’s change theory provided the theoretical framework. The research question explored how human service professionals supported this population and identified strategies to strengthen access, coordination, and continuity of care. Seven human service professionals with direct experience participated in semistructured individual interviews. De-identified transcripts were analyzed using a six-step thematic analysis process and identified five themes: (a) structural barriers to access, (b) multidimensional mental health and support needs, (c) current human service support practices, (d) coordination and continuity of care, and (e) practice-informed improvement and sustainability. Participants described barriers related to transportation, affordability, insurance coverage, provider shortages, service capacity, awareness, stigma, and access to technology. Based on the findings, improving access requires coordinated human services responses. Positive social change can result from stronger funding, workforce support, expanded services, professional training, interagency collaboration, clearer referral pathways, and coordinated follow-up.

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