Program Evaluation:Guidelines for Effective Data

Collection

Sarah SchelleMike Lloyd

Indiana Department of Corrections

Thomas L. Sexton, Ph. D., ABPPCenter for Adolescent and Family Studies

Indiana University-Bloomington

Center for Evidence-Based Practices Learning InstituteSeptember 21, 2010Bloomington, Indiana

Program Evaluation….Evidence based Practices:– Require good data– Data is feedback– Feedback helps change practice

Why?• Who…

• Clients of Community Corrections

• Practices• Community Corrections Components• CC Services

• Outcomes• Program Completion• Recividism• Improvement in Client Functioning

» Change in risk and protective factors

Feedback --- Practice Cycle

Community Corrections Component

(list)CC Service

Outcome-Completion Rates

-Functioning Changes-Recividism

Change-elimination of a component

-addition of a service-change in the profile in way it is delivered

Feedback --- Practice Cycle

Community Corrections Component

Electronic Monitoring

CC Service(Assessment/Thinking for a change)

Outcome-67% completed

-only small changes in R & P Factors-40% recidivated

Change-Different assessment

-Different match of Assessment profile to component-elimination of the component

Good Data mean Good Services

• What works for whom?• Which

components/services/combinations work?• Which component, service, or

combination is best for which person • What needs to change?

» Different components, services?» Different delivery of these» Different match with Client

THE NEW DATA REPORTING METHOD:

OFFENDER SPECIFIC DATA

Sarah Schelle, Research AnalystIndiana Department of Correction

(317) 233-4764

REASON FOR CHANGE IN FORMAT

•More powerful data•Measure outcomes•Justify funding levels•Chances for Grant Funds•Combine recidivism at State and Local Levels•Just makes good sense

DATA ELEMENT CATEGORIES

DemographicsAssessment InformationSentencing InformationComponent InformationProgram/Treatment InformationMiscellaneous

Demographics• First Name• Last Name• Middle Initial• Social Security Number (Last 4

Digits)• Sex• Race• Date of Birth

Assessment Information

• Assessment Score• Assessment Type• Assessment Date

Sentencing Information

• Sentencing Charge• Sentence Level• Length of Sentence

Component Information

• Component Name• Component Start Date• Component End Date• Component Referral Type

Program Information

• Program/Treatment Name• Program/Treatment Begin Date• Program/Treatment End Date• Program/Treatment End Type

Miscellaneous

• County Code • Community Corrections Start Date• Community Corrections End Date• Community Corrections Completion Type• Education Level• Employment• Recidivism• Veteran• DOC Number• Driver’s License Status

REPORTING FORMAT

Comma Separated Value File (CSV)Based on Template filedo not alter the template

REPORT DUE ON THE 15TH DAY AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD HAS

ENDED

CHANGES IN REPORTING

•No longer submit the paper form•Looking at all offenders served in time period•Will add variables as needed•Will start to validate submissions

•File Reviews

COUNTIES WITH CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS•Currently drafting queries to make data extraction as easy as a click of a button•Once Queries are available, you will be contacted by the Case Management System Company you are contracted with

DATA RELEASE ISSUES – CONFIDENTIALITY Diane Mains, Staff Attorney, Indiana Judicial

Center•Provided us with an Audit Agreement data release form•Data Security

•All information will be held on a secured State server•Raw data will not be shared with any other agency without permission by county

•Each county must sign it to be able to report•IDOC will maintain a signed copy