title: Statewide treatment outcome assessment in Colorado: the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR).
abstract: Colorado has been measuring mental health treatment outcome statewide for the past four years. The data system for it is built around the Colorado Client Assessment Record ( CCAR ), a multi-dimensional checklist and Level-of-Functioning ( LOF ) measure. The CCAR is used by the Colorado Division of Mental Health for needs assessment, defining target groups, estimating bed need and doing cost-effectiveness studies. An underlying structure consisting of seven independent scales has recently been established using factor-analytic methods. A rater effect was also discovered and mathematically removed, revealing reliable and valid LOF information heretofore unknown. The improved CCAR will hasten implementation of Colorado's long-range plan for treatment outcome assessment.
mesh_terms: D003120:Colorado; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012917:Social Adjustment