Developing a new system to measure outcomes in a service coordination program for youth with severe emotional disturbance.
This paper presents information on re-developing an outcome evaluation for a state-funded program providing service coordination utilizing wraparound to youth with severe emotional disturbance (SED) and their families. Originally funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Kentucky IMPACT program has existed statewide since 1990. Changing data needs and limitations of the original evaluation required revamping the program's data collection system. The new evaluation uses the extant knowledge base to improve: (1) design, (2) measures, and (3) utility. A pre-post design with multiple follow-ups provides the framework for data collection. An ecological framework provides a conceptual structure for selecting measures focusing on both the service recipients and their environment. Data collection via a personal digital assistant (PDA) ensures utility of the data for both consumers and researchers. Issues ranging from conceptualization to implementation of the project as well as lessons learned are discussed.
Shannon
Lisa M
LM
Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-9824, United States. lisa.shannon@uky.edu
Walker
Robert
R
Blevins
Michele
M
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000367:Age Factors; D019090:Case Management; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D019058:Community Networks; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States