Research and Data Analysis

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Image of report cover 11.2702023 Caregiver Survey Report

Between September 2022 and August 2023, DSHS surveyed 1,342 caregivers (495 foster and 854 kinship) who had a child in care within six months of the sampling date (August and November, 2022; February and May, 2023). These caregivers were asked about their satisfaction with support, staff, access and process, information, licensing, and training provided by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and private agencies contracted by the Department. They were also asked to offer recommendations for change. Satisfaction with support, staff, access and process, information, training, and licensing remained high in 2023, with a majority of caregivers giving positive responses to all structured items. Kinship providers were more positive than foster caregivers on most items. There were also significant changes since 2022: more kinship providers said they were treated like part of the team; more foster caregivers said they found licensing staff knowledgeable; and fewer foster caregivers said they felt personally supported, listened to, included in meetings, and informed. In the written comments, caregivers expressed appreciation for the support from caseworkers; staff access and consistency of contact; available resources; overall quality and helpfulness of DCYF staff and related agencies; and the helpfulness of the training. Caregiver comments also identify some areas that need work, including policies and processes, service coordination, and access to financial resources. Many caregivers also commented that they thought DCYF needed additional staff.

Image of report cover 9.126Frequency of Substance Use Disorder-Related Acute Events and Services Used After SUD-Related Acute Event

In support of the Washington Health Care Authority’s strategy for improving treatment and recovery services under the SUPPORT ACT grant awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, we examined service utilization by Medicaid beneficiaries who had a substance use disorder (SUD)-related acute event during 2018. This three-report series examines:

  • Part 1: The frequency of SUD-related acute events among Medicaid beneficiaries and the rates of these events across various demographic characteristics.
  • Part 2: The rates of subsequent SUD-related acute events, emergency department and hospital utilization, and receipt of SUD services within 3 and 12 months of an initial SUD-related acute event.
  • Part 3: The rate of receipt of mental health services, support services, deaths, and arrests within 3 and 12 months of an initial SUD-related acute event.

Understanding the current utilization of behavioral health treatment and recovery support services is crucial to identifying both strengths and gaps in the existing behavioral health system in Washington state. The patterns observed in these reports highlight areas that may be underutilized as points of intervention for those receiving SUD-related acute care services.

Image of report cover 11.2672023 Social and Health Services Client Survey

Between October 2022 and April 2023, the Research and Data Analysis Division of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) conducted 1,157 telephone interviews with randomly selected clients who received services between May 2021 and April 2022. Most services covered in the survey were provided by DSHS. Medical assistance, community-based mental health services, and substance use disorder services were provided by the Washington State Health Care Authority. Children and Family services were provided by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Clients were asked about their satisfaction with social and health services and for recommendations for change. The 2023 Client Survey is the second survey to gather client feedback since the COVID-19 pandemic. Results suggest overall declines in satisfaction since the last major survey in 2021, much of which can be attributed to the extensive and continuing impact of the pandemic. Areas of significant decline indicate challenges with access to staff and ease of receiving services. Despite these challenges, clients remain highly satisfied with how they are treated by staff and the quality of the services they receive. Comments show that clients appreciate remote options for service delivery, but would like shorter wait times on the phone, faster and simpler application processes, and more user-friendly online systems.

Image of report cover 11.266Characteristics and Service Use of Young Adults in Extended Foster Care

Extended Foster Care (EFC) in Washington State allows eligible young adults who are dependent at age 18 to receive case management support and placement services through their 21st birthday. This report uses linked administrative data to measure demographic characteristics, prior foster care experiences, support needs, and service connections from ages 17 to 21 for three groups of young adults exiting foster care with different degrees of EFC participation (EFC-Full, EFC-Early Exit, No EFC) and a group of same-age young adults enrolled in Medicaid. Young adults exiting foster care, regardless of duration in EFC, have higher rates of support need indicators compared to the Medicaid group. Results highlight a need to ensure that young adults in and exiting foster care maintain connections to supportive services, such as health care, economic and housing programs, and independent living and transition services. This analysis contributes to a multipart Extended Foster Care systems assessment for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Image of report cover 11.265Factors Predicting APS Involvement Among Persons Receiving Long-Term Services and Supports

The Adult Protective Services (APS) program administered by the DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration investigates reports of self-neglect, financial exploitation, neglect, or abuse of vulnerable adults in Washington. In 2018, APS received 60,038 reports of abuse and neglect. This report is part of a series of analyses examining factors associated with the risk of being identified as an alleged or substantiated victim in an APS investigation. This report extends earlier descriptive analyses and predictive modeling (Bauer et al. 2022a, Bauer et al. 2022b) to better understand the association between potential risk and protective factors and APS outcomes among persons receiving Medicaid-paid long-term services and supports (LTSS), including services provided through ALTSA and the DSHS Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Informed by findings from the previous reports, separate risk models are estimated by age group, allegation type (self-neglect and non-self-neglect), and substantiation status.

 

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DSHS Research and Data Analysis Division provides data, analytics, and decision support tools to improve the delivery of services that transform lives. For more information.

 

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