Outcome Measurements Project Presented 10/03/06 & 10/04/06 PCCYFS Fall Membership Meeting Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services 2040 Linglestown Road, Suite 109, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Topics Covered Overview / History Benefits of System Participation System Basics Review of Indicators Report Generation & Samples Testimonials Next Steps for Development hold

Overview / History The PCCYFS Outcome Measurements project started in 2003 in response to member agency requests for assistance with collection, analysis, and reporting of outcomes information. Project development was based on indicators, definitions, and language from the CFSR, PIP, and QSRI. The Outcomes system provides data that counties need and promotes best practice in service delivery. hold

Benefits of Participation Measure agency progress Compare agency’s outcomes to statewide aggregate data for similar programs Provide outcome and comparison data to county agencies Generate reports that can be used in contract negotiations Address indicators that meet federal outcome criteria hold The Outcomes system is a useful tool for private agencies to:

System Basics Is an intuitive, web-based system that uses a shared standard query language (SQL) database Currently captures data for three modules: – Child Well-Being – Family Involvement – Out-of-Home Episode hold The PCCYFS Outcome Measurements Database & Reporting System:

Child Well-Being Indicator An Overview

Child Well-Being Indicator Examines the provision of appropriate and timely assessment and services for: – Physical health – Behavioral/mental health – Educational needs – Preventative, ongoing, and follow-up care Services are for: – Child – Child’s family (if receiving non-placement services) hold

Areas to Track Consideration of needs Services Exchange of information/records hold

Family Involvement Indicator Measurement of Family Engagement

The Aspects of Family Involvement Who is the “family” in Family Involvement: – Mother – Father – Other Identified Family Members – Child Involvement is measured through formal participation in the: – Planning Process – Establishment of Goals – Requesting of Services – Evaluation of Progress hold

Planning Process Definition of Case Planning A process which builds on strengths and addresses identified needs of the child and family (e.g., FSP, CPP, ISP, etc.). Such case planning is formal and informal, must be ongoing, and is to occur at every contact with the child and family. Considerations for Measuring Case Planning Involvement Are all family members that should be part of the formal planning process present at the most recent formal case planning meeting? hold

Establishment of Goals How does an agency involve family members in the establishment of goals as part of their case planning process? How is this goal setting documented in the agency’s records? hold

Requesting of Services Are families/children involved in requesting services as part of the planning process? How individualized are the agency’s formal and informal services when establishing goals in their case planning? hold

Evaluation of Progress Do the agency’s records include formal / informal documentation of case progress being reviewed with the family/child? How do families receive ongoing input from the agency in regard to the case plan? hold

Out-of-Home Episode Indicator Length of Stay and Number of Placements

Length of Stay From the Date of Admission to that provider’s substitute care … To the Date of Discharge from that provider’s substitute care Involves the amount of time of an episode in a private provider’s substitute care setting: hold

Number of Placements Number of placements involves the number of changed substitute care settings that a child experienced while in care with an agency. Types of placement settings recorded while a child is in care with the agency: – Upon Admission to the agency – At Discharge from the agency – After Discharge from the agency hold

Report Generation Hold       hold

Summary Report Compares an agency’s results with statewide aggregate data for the selected indicator, service type, and time period.

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Detailed Report Reflects internal agency trends for the selected indicator, service type, and time period. If found, lists specific deficiencies at the end of the report for agency follow-up/action. hold

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Testimonials Outcome System User Feedback

Family Care for Children and Youth “Participation in this activity has already helped to add value to our agency. We have added a tool for staff to use as a screening instrument for D&A problems. In addition, the Family Involvement piece has spurred a renewed interest in what we do to involve family members in all aspects of our services. Add to this the ability to benchmark ourselves against other similar agencies in child welfare– PCCYFS has really added value to our membership through our involvement in this endeavor.” Bill Shutt Asst. Executive Director

St. Francis-St. Joseph Homes for Children “Participation in the PCCYFS Outcomes System helped us identify several areas that needed improvement and, for the first time, allowed us to actually benchmark Family Involvement and Child Well-Being indicators with similar services provided by other agencies throughout the state.” Frank McFadden Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Training

Cornell Companies, Inc. “After showing a sample of the chart audit tool to one of our licensing representatives, she commented that the Family Involvement indicators would be helpful to programs. She felt that programs need to continually focus on ways to improve family involvement in services and this might provide useful data to assist in that process.” Kathi Witt Performance Improvement Director

Next Steps for Development Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Concepts Restraint Indicators Future Trends and Changes

Thank you for watching this 10-minute presentation! If you’re interested in joining Outcomes, for more info. © 2006 PCCYFS. All rights reserved.