1. USING DATA TO INFORM OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS
How are the children?
USING DATA TO INFORM OUR
ADVOCACY EFFORTS

2. Hard data, science and facts, and stories all play a crucial role when policy makers and advocates discuss behavioral health issues and program needs

3. CALIFORNIA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PLANNING COUNCIL
The CBHPC evaluates the behavioral health system in California for accessible and effective care. 
It advocates for an accountable system of responsive services that are strength-based, recovery-oriented, culturally competent, and cost-effective. 
It educates the general public, the behavioral health constituency, and legislators.

4. DATA NOTEBOOK:
DATA NOTEBOOK 2016
The structured format and questions assist local Mental Health Boards to review data and report on local county mental health programs as required.
WIC : What are the Reporting Roles of Mental Health Boards & Commissions?
Review and evaluate community mental health needs, services, facilities, special problems;
Advise governing body and the local Mental Health Director on any aspect of local mental health program;
Submit an annual report to governing body on needs and performance of the local county mental health system;
Review and comment on local county mental health performance outcome data, AND communicate findings to the CA Mental Health Planning Council
The structured format and questions will assist local Mental Health Boards to review data and report on local county mental health programs:
Fulfill state requirements
Accountability of programs for quality improvement
Reduce health disparities by examining programs for equity and fairness
Report successes and share innovative programs
Explore topics of local importance including the challenges and needs of special populations
Discover gaps and unmet needs to assist in the community planning process

5. A PRIMER ON DATA Context is critical: “stats AND stories”
Timeliness of the data
Validity and reliability of the data:
The size of the population or “n” measured by the data
The way the data is collected: timing of data collection, geography, culture, language, limitations of service access and delivery
Data always raises more questions….

6. DATA SOURCES excellent graphs and tables
Short-Doyle specialty MH, funded by Medi-Cal
Dept. of Health Care Services: Child/Youth Mental Health Performance Outcomes System:
Substance use disorders treatment services and outcomes
DHCS: Office of Applied Research and Analysis
MHSA-funded programs: Full Service Partnership report data
CA Behavioral Health Directors Association: Reporting System for “MOQA”:
gather and analyze data from CA departments of justice, public health, education, health surveys
KidsData.org:
DATA SOURCES
Dept of Health Care Services:
Mental health services provided to MediCal covered children/youth through age 20 as part of the federally defined EPSDT (Early Periodic Screening , Diagnosis and Treatment) benefits. Data focusses on mental health services for those with serious emotional disorders or serious mental illness.
DHCS Office of Applied Research and Analysis:
Data on substance use disorder treatment and prevention services for youth and adults. Annual reports contain statewide data derived form the data entered into the Cal OMS data system.
CBHDA:
Data from their electronic system (eBHR) contains data from CA counties for reporting in the MOQA (Measures and Outcomes Assessment) database.
KidsData.org: A program of the Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health
Collects national, state and county statistics including data from DHCS, Dept of Public Health, Dept of Education and Dept. of Justice, Office of Statewide Health Planning, West-Ed and others

7. DATA SOURCES most current data and public availability
county-level & statewide reports,
excellent graphs and tables
Short-Doyle specialty MH, funded by Medi-Cal
External Quality Review Organization (EQRO):
MHSA-funded programs: fact sheets and full reports
Prevention and Early Intervention programs
CSS: County Services & Supports (FSP programs)
Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC):
Data sets from a variety of federal agencies including National Institute for Mental Health.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
DATA SOURCES
External Quality Review Organization (EQRO):
Behavioral Health Concepts Inc. is an independent agency that contracts with DHCS to do an evaluation of services/data for each county’s Mental Health Plan (MHP). The reviews cover program strengths and challenges.
Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC):
The MHSOAC is responsible for monitoring and providing information about the mental health system in CA that is funded with MHSA (Proposition 63) dollars. MHSA passed in November 2004 and has provided billions of dollars to the mental health system in the following areas:
Community program planning and administration (10%)
Community services and supports (45%)
Capital (buildings) and information technology (IT) (10%)
Education and training (human resources) (10%)
Prevention and early intervention (20%)
Innovation (5%)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Independ data reports and links to other federal agencies including NIMH, NIDA. One example is the National Survey on Drug Use and Health that address mental heath, alcohol and dug use in adults and youth with analysis of needs and how many receive services

8. FOCUS FOR 2016: Children and Youth
Talk about the development of the data notebook, partnerships,, role of the EQI committee

9. ACCESS TO SERVICES: Youth, Children and their Families
Outreach and engagement
Penetration rates
Timely follow-up services after psychiatric hospitalization
Review findings

10. VULNERABLE GROUPS WITH SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS
Foster children and youth
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth
Children and youth affected by substance use disorders
Children and youth with behavioral health needs in the juvenile justice system
Review findings

11. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT PROGRAMS
Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) programs and services
Prevention of suicide and suicide attempts
Early identification of risks for first episode psychosis
Full service partnership outcomes for children and youth
Review findings

12. URGENT PROBLEMS AND UNMET NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Homelessness
Immigration issues
For TAY, need for developmentally appropriate services
For adolescents, substance use
Suicide attempts
Information about the urgent problems

13. RECOMMENDATIONS:
Increase Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) services such as full-service partnerships and wrap-around services for children and youth
Improve data systems to better track improvements in client outcomes, to evaluate effectiveness of programs, inform advocacy and assess disparities in services and outcomes
Our recommendations
What are your recommendations?

14. RECOMMENDATIONS:
Increase training and implementation of trauma-informed care in all settings serving children
Develop sustainable and consistent budgets that support a trained behavioral healthcare workforce
Improve behavioral health service access for specific populations (language, cultural groups, LGBTQ) to all parts of the service area
Our recommendations
What are your recommendations?

15. DATA NOTEBOOK 2016: CHILDREN AND YOUTH
An electronic version of the final draft of the 2016 Data Notebook is available from the CA Behavioral Health Planning Council by contacting and inserting 2016 Data Notebook in the subject line.

16. QUESTIONS? Susan Morris Wilson susanmorriswilson@gmail.com
Noel O’Neill