NPIC/QAS has expertise in the design and implementation of formative and summative evaluation related to the organization, effectiveness and cost of family health care programs. Recent projects have focused on:

• Substance abuse prevention (including the development of community coalitions)
• Early / brief intervention with individuals at high risk to develop addiction issues
• Substance abuse / behavioral health treatment with a particular focus on pregnant and postpartum women
• Comprehensive services for homeless individuals/families with behavioral health issues
• Care coordination for individuals with addiction issues who are involved with child welfare / family court
• Integrating HIV/AIDS risk reduction with behavioral health treatment

Evaluation activities include the development of quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments, as well as data collection and analysis. NPIC/QAS has considerable experience with cross-site national evaluation efforts, overseeing the collection and reporting of the data required to participate in such efforts. Each evaluation is designed to monitor and measure program activities in a manner that optimizes the usefulness of the data for program staff and consumers. The NPIC/QAS evaluation team assists programs with:

• Managing data for program reporting and accountability
• Identifying best practices
• Facilitating continuous service improvement
• Transferring technology / skill sets to sites
• Promoting system efficiencies and service collaboration
• Sustaining services
  

Featured Programs/Activities

Women and Recovery from Addiction
Dr. Caldwell was selected by the RI Institute for Addiction Recovery to present at their state-wide leadership meeting "Supporting Mothers in Recovery: Strengthening Rhode Island's System of Care." This forum brought together policy makers and providers from across the State. Dr. Caldwell's presentation "Women and Recovery from Addiction" summarized findings from her team's work with Project Link, SStarbirth, the Vulnerable Infants Program, and the RI Family Treatment Drug Court. This work began with several programs in the 1990s and continues to be a primary focus of NPIC evaluation activities. The Institute for Addiction Recovery was established to strengthen Rhode Island's capacity to assist individuals, families and communities in their recovery from addiction through collaboration and coordination of academic and community resources.
   »View presentation
   »Visit www.ric.edu/addictionrecovery


BOLD (Building Our Lives Drug-free) Coalition
NPIC/QAS serves as the evaluator for the BOLD (Building Our Lives Drug-free) Coalition serving the Fall River, Massachusetts area. BOLD is a substance abuse prevention coalition comprised of community volunteers, agency representatives, educators, city government, school representatives and youth. These groups and individuals are working together to reduce youth substance abuse and create a healthy community for the youth of Greater Fall River. BOLD is funded in part by the (federal) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).

The BOLD Coalition was awarded 5 more years of funding!
   »View their recent newsletter


SStarbirth
SStarbirth is working with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to identify best practices for serving women with addiction issues in residential treatment with their children. A particular focus is how to engage fathers and/or significant others in the recovery process, how to implement a Family-Centered Treatment Model. Resources can be accessed on the SAMHSA website, including: "Funding Family-Centered Treatment for Women with Substance Use Disorders."

Evaluation Related Contracts
      Coordinated Care
      Substance Abuse/HIV Prevention
      Substance Abuse Prevention
      Substance Abuse Treatment