Implementing an Outcomes Measurement System in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Abstract

Human services programs are increasingly being required to assess program performance and track progress in meeting outcomes in order to receive funding. This emerging trend has implications for social workers who administer substance abuse treatment programs. While larger programs can have the necessary resources to implement comprehensive outcomes measurement systems, smaller programs can be at a disadvantage when they don't have the needed resources. This paper attempts to level the playing field by providing a model for creating an outcomes measurement system that can be used by social workers who administer small substance abuse treatment programs. The importance of logic models in developing an outcomes measurement system is discussed. A nine-step model that smaller programs can use to implement an outcomes measurement system is presented. Limitations of implementing and maintaining an outcomes measurement system using the nine-step model are discussed.

Key Words:

• Outcomes measurement
• program evaluation
• logic models
• administration
• substance abuse