Age range

Website: www.svfc.org

Mission/Goals: St. Vincent Family Centers provides a continuum of high quality, specialized services to children with behavioral health needs to help them realize their full potential. By helping children and families, we are strengthening our community one family at a time. Services are provided in the community, on-site, and in schools.

Source(s): www.svfc.org

Type of Evaluation: Outcomes monitoring.

Note: The St. Vincent Family Center provides many services including a partial hospitalization program, a residential care unit, community psychiatric support treatment, outpatient family services, and a life skills program (Kids in Transition).

Objective: To determine the percentage of children in services who move to a less restrictive environment, successfully complete the treatment goals, and increase life skill competencies.

Sample: In 2004, data were collected from the 688 children served. In 2003, 911 children were served, and in 2002, 868 children were served. Data in this summary are presented for children served in 2004.

Methodology: Data were collected from children with regard to whether they move to a less restrictive environment (e.g., less structured after-school program, informal after-school time, return home), successfully attain program goals (e.g., no longer needing services), or attain life skills (e.g., ability to resolve conflicts, ability to establish positive peer relationships, organization and self discipline, ability to utilize resources) according to teacher ratings.

Outcomes Examined: Percentage who move to a less restrictive environment, successfully attain program goals, or attain life skills.

Measurement Instruments: Treatment records and teacher evaluations.

Impact/Outcomes: In 2004, 100% of children in the extended day partial hospitalization program moved to a less restrictive environment. In the residential care unit, 95% moved to a less restrictive environment. 87% of participants in the community psychiatric support treatment achieved the goal of no longer needing psychiatric support services.  In the outpatient family services, 45% achieved the goal of no longer needing services. In the school age partial hospitalization program, 95% moved to a less restrictive environment. Finally, in the Kids in Transition program, teachers rated 85.4% of children increasing in one skill area and 27.2% of children increasing in all measured skill areas.