Step 2: Develop the Cross-Functional Team
IPV implementation is not the responsibility of a single department. Effective strategies require dedicated roles across quality, clinical, data, community health, and operations — all coordinated by a governance structure with clear accountability.
Recommended Project Team Structure
- Executive Sponsor: Provides organizational authority, resource allocation, and board-level accountability. Large, multi-county MCPs may benefit from two executive sponsors.
- Project Champion: A senior leader who drives day-to-day momentum, removes barriers, and represents IPV at cross-departmental forums.
- Project Manager: Supports implementation planning by establishing project management structures, such as a RASCI matrix and meeting cadence, to clarify roles, decision-making, and accountability.
- Project Team Members: Representatives from QI, clinical operations, maternal health, behavioral health, care management, data and analytics, provider relations, training, community partnerships, and legal and compliance.
MCP Lessons Learned
“Developing a cross-functional team with clear responsibilities at the start of our implementation project was a cornerstone of our success. It allowed us to integrate IPV response in our population health strategy, behavioral health teams, and community health centers.”
Director of Population Health, Molina Health Plan
Roles & Responsibilities by Function
| Role | Function | Toolkit Chapter(s) | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Sponsor | Strategic alignment, resource allocation, board messaging, business case adoption | Build Buy-In & Business Case; Cross-Functional Teams | High |
| Quality Improvement Lead | IPV strategy, MCAS/Birthing Pathway alignment, metrics, privacy review | Set Goals & Measures; Compliance | High |
| Population Health Lead | Owns IPV vision, strategy and execution; drives cross-departmental integration | All chapters | High |
| Maternal / Behavioral Health / Care Management | Integrates IPV into prenatal, postpartum, and BH workflows | Evidence-Based Education & Screening; Special Populations; Sample Workflows | High |
| Data and Analytics | Dashboards, performance tracking, equity stratification | Measurement Framework; QI Cycle | Medium |
| Provider Relations | Provider education, contract language, training completion tracking | Provider Training; Build Partnerships | Medium |
| Training Department | CUES training deployment, fidelity monitoring, modality design | Training Modality & Fidelity | Medium |
| Provider Networks | IPV CBO contracts, MOUs, warm-handoff protocols, closed-loop referrals | Build Partnerships; Closed-Loop Referrals | High |
Implementation Tip: Consider a RASCI Accountability Matrix
Accountability is key. Use the RASCI framework to formalize accountability across workstreams. R = Responsible, A = Accountable, S = Supportive, C = Consulted, I = Informed.
Start with this sample RASCI matrix co-designed with California Managed Care Plans.
Implementation Tip: Consider Lived Experience
Build in a paid advisory role—not just a token seat—for a community member or advocate with lived experience of IPV. Survivor voice should shape program design, not just validate decisions after the fact. This is also a best practice recognized in DHCS PHM guidance.