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Youth Services : Outcomes



2008 Youth Services - MST Outcomes

The following is a review of the performance of Community Solutions Inc., MST programs. The data below provides the national average of MST providers across the U.S. from 3/1/05 thru 11/01/07. This data is then compared to the average for Community Solutions from a time period of 1/1/08 to 12/31/08.

Ultimate Outcomes Review Target Threshold* National Average* CSI Average
Percent of youth living at home at discharge 90% 84.1% 87.81%
Percent of youth in school/working at discharge 90% 83.0% 88.79%
Percent of youth with no new arrests during treatment 90% 79.7% 83.19%
Therapist Adherence Data
Overall average adherence score 0.61 0.634 0.75
Percent clients reporting adherence above threshold of 0.61 80% 58.9% 74%
Case Closure Data
Percent of cases completing treatment 85% 78.8% 84.79%
Percent of cases discharged due to lack of engagement <5% 8.4% 3.4%
Percent of youth placed <10% 12.8% 8.72%
Average length of stay in days for youth receiving MST 120 Average
Range 90-150 Days
129.53 124.4

* MST Services 2008 Published Data



2008 Youth Services Outcome Highlights

At Community Solutions we understand the importance of positive outcomes and realize that the strongest evidence that our services are effective comes by demonstrating positive impacts on the communities we serve. Examples of positive results within our youth services division include:
  • Expanded MST services into two new states: New Jersey and Rhode Island, opened seven new teams in Pennsylvania, increasing overall annual budget by more than $3 million.

  • Started three new types of youth and family programs: Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care in Maryland, Intensive Case Management Services in Pennsylvania, and Homebuilders Family Preservation Services in Pennsylvania.

  • Penn State Evidence-Based Prevention and Intervention Support Center cited Community Solutions Inc. as the "World's Largest MST Provider" of direct service teams.

  • Community-Based Program of the Year Award was presented to the Lycoming County MST program by the Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges Commission.

  • Louisiana MST therapist, Markishia Webb, was selected from thousands of national therapists to receive the "Whatever It Takes" award from MST Services for outstanding and meritorious services including the ability and willingness to go beyond duty requirements.

  • Playground funding and construction completed for the South Windsor Safe Home.

  • MST Consultation and Training Services provided to agencies in California, Maine and Rhode Island.

  • Front page of the Baltimore Sun featured a success story about local MST family. 'Using MST services in lieu of residential services in Baltimore County and Baltimore City saved approximately $700,000 in treatment costs.'
  • All youth services division residential programs are accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF.

  • All outcomes for Community Solutions' MST programs exceeded the national average published by MST Services in 2008.



Sherif

Sherif was referred to MST services through LC-JPO. He had been charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Sherif had been involved in drug "dealing" as well as using drugs and alcohol himself. He spent 8 months in an out-of home placement.

Sherif had been involved with drugs and alcohol for at least 2 years. Although he attended school, he had poor and failing grades. His parents both worked full-time, and periodically, would each have 2 full-time jobs, which left Sherif unattended and unsupervised most of the time. Sherif has 2 older siblings who were attending colleges at the time his involvement with the legal system began.

MST worked with Sherif's parents on identifying what areas needed to "change" in order for Sherif to be successful; among these they identified their parenting skills. Sherif's mother had also been able to identify her problems with untreated depression, which impeded her ability to successfully address Sherif's behaviors. Sherif's older sister remained home from a semester at school in order to be a support to both her parents, especially mother, and Sherif. His older brother increased his support via telephone conversations, and with becoming aware of goals that parents were working towards. Parents worked towards educating themselves about what certain drugs, and drug paraphernalia "look like". Mother increased monitoring by searching Sherif's room almost daily to ensure that he was not involved in using or dealing drugs. The entire family improved communication, and increased support for one another to confront unacceptable behaviors with Sherif. Parents began to successfully implement the use of consequences and rewards when addressing issues.

Sherif refrained from using drugs and alcohol, as a direct result of learning that these behaviors were no longer acceptable. He obtained part-time employment, and improved grades in school. He reported that he had not received grades above a "C" since 8th grade. He achieved A's and B's in the first marking period of 10th grade. All teachers reported a great improvement in his work ethic in school, and noted his determination.

Sherif and his family successfully completed the MST program, and Sherif was released from probation a week later.



CSI receives first SAMHSA "Science to Service" Award

In September 2007, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognized Community Solutions MST for exemplary implementation of evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat mental illness and substance abuse.

"The success that these organizations have demonstrated and the positive impact that they have had on individuals and families is visible proof of the importance and direct benefit of using the latest strategies to prevent and treat mental illnesses and substance abuse in our communities."
- Terry Cline, PhD, SAMHSA Administrator