In the current climate of increasing fiscal and clinical accountability, information is required about overall program effectiveness using clinical data. These requests present a challenge for programs utilizing single-subject data due to the use of highly individualized behavior plans and behavioral monitoring. Subsequently, the diversity of the…

Background: Systems of care is a family centered, strengths-based service delivery model for treating youth experiencing a serious emotional disturbance. Wraparound is the most common method of service delivery adopted by states and communities as a way to adhere to systems of care philosophy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate…

We illustrate the use of formative and summative assessment in evaluating a therapeutic classroom program for children with serious emotional disturbances. Information was analyzed based on data gathered for clinical decision-making during treatment (formative assessment) and measurement of outcomes at discharge (summative assessment) from a…

This document presents witnesses' testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine children's mental health issues, including the prevalence of mental illness among children, barriers to effective treatment, and responses that are effective in helping children and families. Witnesses providing testimony include:…

Describes a comprehensive, day treatment program conducted in public school classrooms for children with serious emotional disorders (SED) and presents data evaluating program efficacy. At the 9-month follow-up, 50.7% of the sample showed overall symptom reduction, and 27.5% scored below clinical cutoff levels, indicating remission of symptoms to…

Special education for students with emotional and behavioral disorders has a substantial history. The most effective programs feature systematic, databased interventions, continuous assessment and monitoring of progress, specifically matched and multicomponent treatment, provision for guided practice of academic and social skills, programming for…

The long-term effects of a preschool intervention program for 21 high-risk experimental children were asssessed. The experimental group was superior to that of the placebo control group at follow-up on the criteria measures of behavioral adjustment and achievement. (Author)

This paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the effectiveness of the Fort Bragg demonstration project, a program which provided a comprehensive approach to the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services to a population of approximately 48,000 military-related children residing within the Fort Bragg catchment area.…

Three customary performance guidelines (therapeutic relationship, satisfaction, and parent involvement) believed to be indicators of quality care were tested for their ability to account for improved mental health outcomes among 240 adolescent clients. Results showed statistically significant relationships between these commonly accepted measures…

This paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the progress of 51 children receiving long-term dynamically-oriented therapy at a naturalistic "real world" clinic. The orientation of the Outpatient Clinic of the Yale Child Study Center is primarily long-term, psychodynamic treatment. Parents and clinicians completed…

This paper critiques current models for evaluation of mental health services provided to children and adolescents with emotional disturbances and offers an alternative model. The most popular model, Donabedian's tripartite model, is described. This model separately evaluates three domains: (1) structure (characteristics of the care providers,…

Interviews were conducted with 60 human-services-agency staff of the Child and Adolescent Service System Program in California and 67 parents of children with serious emotional disturbance regarding changes over the previous four years in their local children's service systems. Results indicate increased interagency collaboration and family…

This paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the effectiveness of the New Jersey Youth Incentive Program (YIP). The YIP program grew out of earlier private and public efforts and reflected national trends in the reform of mental health services for children. Cutting across most of these programs is the underlying principle that…

This paper describes the Home-Based Crisis Intervention (HBCI) program in New York and the outcomes of a study that investigated the effectiveness of the program. The HBCI program provides short-term intensive in-home services to families with children who are at-risk for out-of-home placements. Counselors work with families to prevent psychiatric…

This paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the need for services across the continuum of child/adolescent mental health services in Virginia. Specific objectives of the study were to: (1) describe the youth receiving services; (2) determine where and to what extent gaps in services exist; (3) determine the reasons why youth do…