| Session Title: Integrating Realist Evaluation Strategies in a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) System of Care Local Evaluation |
| Skill-Building Workshop 122 to be held in PRESIDIO C on Wednesday, Nov 10, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Sponsored by the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Mansoor Kazi, State University of New York at Buffalo, mkazi@buffalo.edu |
| Connie Maples, ICF Macro, connie.j.maples@macrointernational.com |
| Rachel Ludwig, Chautauqua Tapestry, mesmerr@co.chautauqua.ny.us |
| Abstract: This demonstration will illustrate how realist evaluation strategies can be applied in the evaluation of 100% natural samples in agencies that are providing mental health and other services to youth and families. Mental health agencies routinely collect data that is typically not used for evaluation purposes. This demonstration will include new data analysis tools drawn from both the efficacy and epidemiology traditions to investigate patterns in this data in relation to outcomes, interventions and the contexts of practice. For example, binary logistic regression can be used repeatedly with whole school databases at every marking period to investigate the effectiveness of school-based interventions and their impact on school outcomes. The demonstration will include practice examples drawn from the SAMHSA funded System of Care community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families in Chautauqua County, New York State. |