Program Evaluation 

La Frontera Center’s Outcome Evaluation Committee (OEC), which reports to the Quality Improvement Committee, oversees program evaluation for the agency.  To facilitate the collection and analysis of statistical information, the OEC instituted a dynamic process in which clinicians generate data, and research and evaluation staff analyze and summarize that data in concise, readable reports and PowerPoint presentations.  Research staff then discuss the reports with clinical teams, and their feedback becomes a critical component of the outcome evaluation process.  The evaluations are continually refined based on this feedback, as well as the input of the OEC. 

Most service lines throughout the agency are evaluated.  The evaluations have been designed with several goals in mind:

• To be compatible with quality management processes

• To be compatible with requirements of accrediting bodies (e.g., CARF)

• To gather the same information for as many service lines as possible

• To avoid extra paperwork for clinicians

The OEC and research and evaluation staff selected outcome measures that are meaningful to clinical services and funding sources, and at the same time efficient to manage.  Outcome data, according to CARF, include information gathered while clients are receiving services (progress data), and those gathered after the client leaves treatment (follow-up data).  

The data collected and analyzed includes the following: 

• Demographic information (gender, ethnicity, income sources)

• Services received (intake and closure dates, type and number of sessions, cost)

• Key indicators (residence type, employment/school involvement, legal status, substance involvement, global functioning [GAF], treatment goal attainment, and reason for closure).

• Other key indicators identified by clinical teams per their interests

In addition to the above activities, a follow-up phone survey designed by the OEC is conducted annually.  The survey assesses some of the same key indicators noted above: reason for leaving treatment, employment or school status, arrests, and substance use. Former clients (3–12 months after closure) are also asked how much they believe treatment helped, whether they need additional services, and other comments.