Children and families typically seek mental health services because they are looking for a change. For example, they may wish for their family to get along better, or for their child to reduce problem behaviors. Mental health providers and families can work together to monitor this change, measure how much the services are helping, and quickly make changes to the treatment if progress stalls or begins to get off track.

How Outcomes Are Measured

An assessment typically takes place at the beginning of services to identify needs, strengths, and goals. Results of the assessment may be simplified into a number or series of numbers, which can change over time. Periodically, providers of mental health services will 'check in' to make sure children and families are making progress and reaching their goals.

How Outcomes Are Used

Outcomes can be used to measure progress and celebrate change! It is motivating and encouraging for families to see objective evidence of their progress. Also, if outcomes aren't improving, or have stayed the same for too long, families and mental health providers will know it is time to change the treatment plan and try something new.

Our focus on evidence based practices and attention to data allows us to assist stakeholders with products that withstand critical scrutiny. APPRECOTS specializes in data analytics and helps human service organizations use clinical outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of their services.

APPRECOTS currently offers training and implementation support for the following clinical measurement tools:

• Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS®)

• Preschool and Early Childhood Functional Assessment Scale (PECFAS®)

• Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA)

• Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA)

• Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)