The Children's Performance Outcome Measures: Results after Six Months.

This report describes the implementation and first 6 months of data collection of the required performance outcome measures for children receiving mental health services in Florida, as required under Florida's 1994 Government Performance and Accountability Act. This summary is of data received from August 1996 to January 1997 and includes data for both serious emotional disturbance (SED) and at risk children at admission to services, at 6 months, on the annual anniversary, and at discharge. Data were obtained for more than 6,900 children, of whom approximately 61 percent were male, 73 percent were considered seriously emotionally disturbed, and 22 percent were judged to be at risk for SED. Approximately 73 percent lived with their biological or adoptive families and 78 percent were Medicaid eligible. Outcome measures included: (1) days spent in the community, (2) school attendance, (3) number of child arrests, (4) functional level of the child, and (5) family satisfaction with services. Data are to be used for monitoring contract compliance and to inform the state for planning and long-term decisions regarding services, consumers, and the system of care. Evaluation suggests that there has been widespread acceptance of the new measures and procedures, although insurance of continued agency compliance remains a problem as does scheduling and implementation deadlines. (DB)