The Persistent Benefits of Providing Chemical Dependency Treatment to Low-Income Adults
The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) provides chemical dependency (CD) treatment to low-income adults who do not qualify for Medicaid. In each of the five years subsequent to receiving CD treatment, treated clients earned more, had fewer arrests, were less likely to die, and—among those who enrolled in Medicaid—had lower medical costs when compared to similar low-income adults who did not receive treatment. Much, if not all, of the cost of providing CD treatment to this population may be offset by 1) increased earnings and the associated contributions to the state general fund, 2) reduced medical costs, and 3) reduced costs associated with fewer arrests.
Chronic Care Management Pilots Show Early Promise
The Chronic Care Management program administered by the DSHS Aging and Disability Services Administration provides high-risk clients with enhanced nurse care management services in five pilot sites across Washington State. This briefing paper examines 22-month follow-up impacts on Medicaid costs and mortality for CCM clients. Results show promising potential to improve health outcomes and control costs for patients with high medical risk and major functional limitations.
Vocational Rehabilitation Needs Assessment: Opinions of Employers, Staff and Clients about How to Improve Vocational Support Services
This report presents the results of surveys conducted with employers, staff and clients on practices and efforts important for improving employment opportunities and success for Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) clients. Between 50 and 60 percent of employers who responded said accommodations for DVR clients, support from DVR following job placement, and internships and job coaching would help them hire or retain an employee with a disability. DVR staff felt the services that contribute most to client success are Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) services and benefits planning. Clients suggested improvements in timeliness, training and assistance after job placement.
Co-Occurring Disorders Among DSHS Clients
This report provides estimates of the prevalence of co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders for youth and adults served by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) based on clinical screening data and independent indicators from administrative data. The highest rates were found among clients served by the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse where roughly half of youth and adult clients appeared to have co-occurring disorders. Rates were lower among those served by the Mental Health Division, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, and Children’s Administration which also implemented a comprehensive screening process for their clients.
DSHS Clients with Mental Health or Substance Abuse Problems and Proximity to Treatment Providers: Snohomish County, Washington.
The maps of DSHS clients with mental health or substance abuse problems were prepared to assist the Snohomish county human services planners to evaluate unmet service needs. The maps and analysis address the question: Are there geographic barriers to clients who need treatment for mental health or substance abuse problems?
2009 Client Survey: DSHS Clients Speak
Between October 2008 and April 2009, DSHS surveyed 1,217 clients who received services during state fiscal year 2008 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008). These clients were asked about their satisfaction with DSHS services and recommendations for change. The great majority of clients expressed satisfaction with DSHS services and their interactions with DSHS staff. Clients who complained often reported trouble accessing services, problems with staff, lack of providers, or other unmet needs. The economic downturn presents additional challenges for DSHS leadership. They must balance increasing need, decreasing resources, the need for streamlined services, and some clients’ need for intensive, individualized service.
White Center Service Use Trends: Comparing DSHS Service Use in King County’s White Center Area with Rates in Nearby Communities: 2001 to 2007
In 2001, residents of King County’s White Center and nearby communities were involved in a conversation with government, businesses and local leadership about how their communities need to change. A look at the extent to which DSHS services are used by residents in 2007 shows where the communities stand relative to 2001. The White Center community experienced a modest increase in its rate of using DSHS services between 2001 and 2007. In contrast, the DSHS service use rates increased more dramatically in the nearby communities of Boulevard Park, Burien and SeaTac. Although the DSHS service use rate among adults in White Center increased somewhat, the service use rate among youth in this community actually declined.
Alcohol and/or Drug Problems and Mental Illness are Key Risk Factors for Homelessness among Working-age Disabled DSHS Clients
Three groups of DSHS clients were examined to determine the extent to which mental illness and substance abuse disorders are associated with homelessness. We selected FY 2006 clients on our Aged, Blind, or Disabled Medicaid caseload, those receiving General Assistance Unemployable coverage, and those receiving ADATSA support. Clients with indications of a substance abuse problem—especially GA-U and ADATSA clients—were found to be at far greater risk of experiencing homelessness, compared to clients without a substance abuse problem. The risk of homelessness was highest among those with co-occurring indicators of mental illness plus the need for substance abuse treatment. The additional risk of homelessness associated with mental illness was significant, but not as great as the risk associated with substance abuse
DASA Treatment Expansion: Spring 2009 Update
This report provides a Spring 2009 update of findings on the progress of the DASA Treatment Expansion in achieving treatment goals and budgeted cost savings for FY 2006 through FY 2008, as required by Chapter 522 Laws of 2007 (SHB 1128).
2009 | Risk and Protection Profile for Substance Abuse Prevention for Washington State and its Counties
This report series is a comprehensive time-series collection of state, county, locale and school district data related to substance use and abuse, and the risk factors that predict substance use among youth. Data are organized and presented within a risk and protective factor framework used across the state by substance abuse prevention planners.
Activity Report, Washington State Institutional Review Board, January-December 2008
This report provides and overview of the Washington State Institutional Review Board, formerly known as the DSHS/DOH Human Research Review Board. It summarizes the Board's authority and functions, outlines the human research review process, and describes major activities during January-December 2008. It also includes a log of all research projects, which were reviewed during this period.
Employment Status of Medical Assistance Clients and Persons with Dependents with DSHS Medical Coverage; Statewide Data for CY 2007, By Firm Detail for January 2008 and June 2008
Nationally, an increasing number of employers faced with rising employee health care premium costs either have chosen to drop health care benefits for their employees or to pass on to their employees a greater share of coverage costs. As a consequence, more employees and their dependents either go without health insurance, apply for state purchased health care programs supported with public funds, or seek uncompensated care at hospitals and community clinics. This report provides aggregate and employer-specific data related to employed DSHS Medical Assistance clients and non-client parents with dependents with DSHS medical coverage. Employers are ranked by firm (high to low) by number of DSHS Medical Clients.
Washington's Medicaid Buy-In Program
Washington State's Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) program provides medical coverage to low-income workers with disabilities by allowing them to purchase full Medicaid coverage with monthly premiums based on a sliding income scale. This study found that HWD participants were more likely to be employed, had higher earnings, had more stable Medicaid coverage, and relied less on the Basic Food program (i.e., food stamps) in the year following enrollment than very similar people covered by conventional Medicaid. Findings suggest that HWD participants may be achieving greater self-sufficiency while obtaining comprehensive health care and benefits needed by workers with disabilities.
Medical Costs Decline for GA-U Clients Who Receive Chemical Dependency Treatment
This report summarizes a published study (Wickizer et al., 2006) that analyzed the impact of chemical dependency treatment on medical costs for GA-U clients in Washington State. Cost savings for GA-U clients who received chemical dependency treatment were significantly lower compared to GA-U clients who needed, but did not receive, treatment. The estimated average reduction in medical costs was $210 per member per month, or $2,520 per year. Findings are consistent with other studies that have found that chemical dependency treatment provided to individuals with established need can significantly reduce use of emergency rooms and inpatient medical care.
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