Outcome Data Analysis
Posted by: CQL on 12/29/2006
Filed under: Virginia
Loudoun County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services
The Situation
The Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Substance Abuse Services (MH/MR/SAS) provides services to Loudoun County residents with disabilities, including mental health/substance abuse outpatient, emergency services, mental retardation case management, job coaching, adult foster care and early intervention programs, residential services and outreach.
Loudoun County was looking for an external review methodology to collect and analyze outcomes data across each of its residential services. CQL’s Personal Outcome Measures SM was chosen as the evaluation protocol.
What CQL Did
CQL staff interviewed all people residing in five different residential settings. These interviews followed the established methodology of CQL’s Personal Outcome Measures SM – focusing on the goals, dreams and priorities of each individual. An in depth interview with each person receiving services was held and then follow up meetings with others (including staff, family members, friends and so on) who know the person best were completed. CQL staff were then able to make valid determinations about the presence of outcomes in each person’s life and about the supports and barriers present.
CQL presented Loudoun County with a report and baseline data book that offered recommendations and comparisons across sites, as well as benchmark data with comparisons to the CQL National Personal Outcomes Database. These reports became the foundation for planning and improvement at Loudoun County.