Formative Evaluation of Adolescent Treatment Initiative

RMC Research Corporation is conducting a 2-year formative evaluation for the New Futures Adolescent Treatment Initiative. RMC Research is working with New Futures, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and the demonstration sites to collect, analyze, and interpret core community, program, and client indicators.

The specific aims of the evaluation are:

Interview a representative sample of key stakeholders from each project site prior to treatment entry (baseline) and again 1 year following the initial implementation of the New Hampshire Adolescent Treatment Initiative to assess changes in community readiness to address adolescent substance abuse treatment using the Tri-Ethnic Center’s Community Readiness Instrument. Core variables of interest include:
  • knowledge of the issue by the community-at-large
  • support for improving the adolescent treatment system by the community-at-large
  • involvement of community leaders in supporting local efforts
  • resources identified for funding improvements
  • number of activities, programs, and policies directed toward treatment
  • knowledge of efforts devoted to adolescent treatment by the community at large
Track client-level program indicators with the use of a client registry implemented at each project site to measure changes in adolescent treatment access and retention as measured by:
  • number of referrals
  • diversity in referral pathways
  • client and family caregiver engagement
  • lengths of time between referral date and assessment
  • waiting times to first clinical intervention
  • number of clients completing treatment
  • active continuing care referrals
Assess client needs and outcomes at treatment entry (baseline) and 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-treatment entry using a common instrument across all project sites, the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN). Core variables of interest include:
  • decreased alcohol and drug use
  • involvement in the juvenile justice system
  • school attendance and performance
  • involvement in pro-social activities
  • social support and family functioning
  • emotional functioning
  • decreased health problems

For more information contact:

Kelly J. Vander Ley
Senior Research Associate
RMC Research Corporation
111 SW Columbia Street, Suite 1200
Portland, OR 97201-5843
P: 503-223-8248
F: 503-223-8399
kvanderley@rmccorp.com