2002 NLPES Fall Training Conference Notes
AzENET Workshop - Part 2
In the second half of the AzENet Workshop, three Regional Behavioral Health Authorities presented information on programs that are currently being evaluated, or will be evaluated:
Karen Tiggs, Outcomes Evaluation Quality Management Department, ValueOptions
Karen stated that ValueOptions is using monies provided by House Bill 2003 to fund Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Teams and a Housing Program. The ACT team is composed of 12 individuals, including four case managers, a rehabilitation specialist, and a substance abuse specialist, among others. The ACT team provides support for seriously mentally ill adults and is available to the client whenever needed. The Housing Program provides move-in assistance, housing, and community living to seriously mentally ill adults.
Evaluation tools for both programs include fidelity measure checklists, administrative data, client perception/family satisfaction surveys, and an adult recovery assessment scale. ValueOptions has projected outcomes for fidelity measures. Karen noted the difficulty of gathering data on clients who are in crisis mode. Karen also believes it is important to share data results with staff.
Michael Funk, Manager of Research and Evaluation, Northern Arizona Behavioral Health Authority (NARBHA)
Michael discussed the difficulty of evaluating programs in "the real world." Several unexpected changes affected the House Bill 2003 program, including Proposition 204, which increased the number of AHCCCS-eligible children and adults and posed some data tracking challenges. Another unexpected change was the Covered Service Project, which expanded the array of covered services for those receiving behavioral health, and resulted in service code changes. Staff turnover, competing priorities, and staff buy-in create additional challenges.
To address these challenges, it is important to have an attitude that is receptive to change, and to approach problems from a collaborative and strengths-based perspective. In regards to the HB2003 evaluation, NARBHA has seen collaboration improve, tracking systems become more sophisticated, and more adults living independently. Dr. Funk believes that the evaluation will demonstrate the effectiveness of the HB2003 initiative at both the macro- and micro-level.
Jim Gross, Data Evaluator, Community Partnership of Southern Arizona
Jim shared information on the 14-item tool developed by the Division and the RBHAs to measure collaboration. The tool includes four domains: efficiency, resource sharing, agency accountability, and communication/support. The tool was administered to both service providers and state agencies. After six months, the tool reflected significant improvement in perceived collaboration in the domains of resource sharing, accountability, and communication. Next steps include assessing the perception of collaboration through a web-based e-mail methodology and providing feedback to state agency and provider staff.
 2002
Fall Training Conference Notes
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