Abstract
| Project CARES (Choctaw Approach to Resiliency and Empowerment) enhanced substance abuse and mental health services for youth and families by providing intensive, home-based case management and wrap around services to youth and their families who live on the reservation which encompasses 5 counties. |
Objectives
The mission of the project is the provision of community-based intensive case management services based upon holistically developed services plans to meet the needs of youth and their families. Goals of the project have been to reduce youth and family substance abuse and accompanying factors and to increase youth and family adaptive functions through appropriate mental health and other support services. In addition, providing youth and families with access to a voice in the development of their service plans and ownership of the services provided.
Indian Nation Served
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Key Components
The CARE Coordination Teams reached 7 communities and established centers in the 3 most populated and highest need communities. The 3 CARE Coordination Teams operated within the communities they serviced and each had a master’s level family service coordinator and case managers. Services are mainly provided at the clients’ homes and schools and at other locations in the clients’ community. The case managers were tribe members and lived in the communities where they provided services. Mental health and support services include diagnostic evaluations, individualized services planning, intensive case management, day treatment and aftercare. Case managers are on call day and night. Case management includes helping clients to secure housing, employment, medical care, vocational rehabilitation, parenting education, etc. Clients were seen on a voluntary basis.
Evaluation Design
Formative and summative evaluation methods were utilized to assess the attainment of goals and objectives. Data collected answered evaluation questions including what services were provided, where, by whom, the amount and duration of services and to whom were they provided. Service utilization statistics and consumer satisfaction questionnaire results were analyzed. Outcome data was collected at intake and 6-month intervals. Case managers monitored and evaluated the progress of their clients.
Evaluation Results
Formative and summative evaluation methods were utilized to assess the attainment of goals and objectives. Data collected answered evaluation questions including what services were provided, where, by whom, the amount and duration of services and to whom were they provided. Service utilization statistics and consumer satisfaction questionnaire results were analyzed. Outcome data was collected at intake and 6-month intervals. Case managers monitored and evaluated the progress of their clients.
Products Developed
None specified.