Research Partnership to Improve NH State Data on Abused and Neglected Children: NH PARCS*

Glenda Kaufman Kantor, CCRC, UNHMelissa Correia, NH DCYF & Melissa Wells, UNH* Presented at 8th National Child Welfare Data Conference, Washington, D.C. July 2005

OJJDP award # 2003-JN-FX-0064

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Project Objectives1. Develop joint research agenda2. Identify key data elements that

improve on current risk & outcome measures

3. Identify intermediate steps in data reforms

4. Develop ongoing partnership

Obj.1: Develop Joint Research AgendaResearch SynthesisResearch on PracticeBasic ResearchProgram EvaluationLongitudinal Research

Obj.1: Work in Progress Determine NH DCYF needs

What is efficacy of NH DCYF & their contractors? How have other systems approached data reforms

& partnerships What are limits of current data systems? What are the important outcomes?

Review Literature Research Partnerships Use of outcome data National data reforms

Obj. 1: AccomplishmentsWhat did we learn?

Partnerships National data issues Outcomes SDM

What do we plan? Possible Study of SDM Conduct Longitudinal Analysis of AFCARS

AFCARS Longitudinal Analysis Spring 2006 project Merge multiple years of NH AFCARS data Conduct focus groups with DCYF employees

to identify key questions Analyze placement patterns, with specific

emphasis on adolescents in foster care Contact Melissa.Wells@unh.edu for

additional information

Objective 2: Identify Key Data Elements

Draft of Logic Model (evidence based)Review of Model by NH PARCSReview by StakeholdersRevision Based on Feedback

Objective 2 Accomplishment: Logic Model

Elements for a DCYF Logic Model

Target Population

Target:•Families substantiated for CA/N•Families not substantiated but at risk for CA/N

Population Characteristics:

Child:•Developmental status•Mental health/sub. Abuse•Educational functioning•Community integration (afterschool programs/clubs)

Parent:•Substance abuse•Physical/mental capacity•Stress/Coping ability•Parenting capacity•Domestic violence/trauma•Readiness to change•Community integration(parent support groups,church, employment)

Family:•Priors•Pattern of relationships•Culture/ethnicity•Community:•Housing•Prenatal, medical, dental care•Resources•Other services

Program Characteristics

IntermediateOutcomes

ProximalOutcomes

DistalOutcomes

Family reunification

Stability/ permanency of child placement

Supports, Skills and Services

Child:•Develop. milestones•Social skills•Absence of anxiety/ depression•Involvement w/ community activities, mentors

Increase Parent’s:•Positive social supports•Coping skills•Parenting capacity (responsiveness, involvement w/ child, warmth and affection, discipline)•Social capacity (education, employment, move toward financial stability, job training; access financial supports, services, WIC/TANF)

Family Cohesion:•Eat together/rituals•Participate in family activities•Mutual help, support, respect•Family organization/rules

Utilization of services:•Child physical health•Adult and child mental health•Adult substance abuse treatment

Service Delivery

Systems:•Mental Health•Substance Abuse•Batterer Intervention

Availability of resources

Family Well-being & Safety (“EFFICACY”)

1) Freedom from violence/abuse—no maltreatment for parent and child

2) Loving/stable relationship with an adult for parent and child

3) Parent’s and child’s ability to problem solve (coping)

4) Family’s integration into the community

5) Economic stability for the parent/ school functioning for the child

6) Physical and mental health (wellbeing) for the parent and child

Case Management

Objective 3: Identify Intermediate Steps in Data Reforms

Review All Current Sources of Data SACWIS; SDM forms; CFSR (Quality

Control Reports) Map available elements onto Logic Model

Objective 3: AccomplishmentsData Matrix DevelopedData Report in Progress

CPSW Data overload Data quality Missing data

Next Steps Data Report

Recommendations for streamlining; New Measures; Assessments needed for accurate

measurement Data Reform Process

Gain consensus on goals, definitions, measures, assessments, training needs

Staff buy-in

Objective 4: Develop Ongoing Partnership

Performance evaluation; Basic research; Data analysis and Reports

Sustainability

Objective 5: Develop Cross-System Data Communication Process

Identify data sharing needs that would improve joint systems performance, and well-being of families and children that present themselves to multiple systems

NH DCYF Perspective

NH DCYF - Using Data to Manage ChangeWhere We’ve Come From

Manual data collection/disconnected sources Minimal use/trust in SACWIS data – disconnect

between “numbers” and “practice” Production reports in print/no drill-down/no

ability to customize Lack of data definitions/inconsistent

data from report to report Production of reports not timely

NH DCYF - Using Data to Manage ChangeWhere We Are Now

SACWIS reliance as sole data source Process/Compliance oriented data Driven by external forces Accuracy of reports “proven” by providing drill-

down – review of detail through supervision Reports in Excel - Ability to customize by

DO/CPSW – field supervisors requesting data! Provision of complete data definitions and

sources – including Bridges screen shots Production of reports still requires time/resources

NH DCYF - Using Data to Manage ChangeWhere We’re Going

Real time data for supervisor use – Data integrity requires streamlining data entry

Ability to pull from other state data systems Sustainable methods for longitudinal analysis SDM/Targeting of resources to highest need -

quality measures are vital Outcome vs. Process driven – Data analysis vs. Data collection Efficacy of services