Research efforts that support the need for adequate substance abuse treatment and support systems for parenting women has increased slowly. However, examination of the lack of representativeness of this population receiving treatment along with strategies to improve connections between clients and programs during the critical first year of recovery are in great need. This service assessment of one long-term residential program considers the disparities between client needs, facilitators to service utilization (i.e. gender and culturally sensitive programming and wrap around/ancillary services), and programmatic contributions. This assessment considers the association between client satisfaction and clients' prognosis upon discharge and evaluates the usefulness of client satisfaction as a predictor of residents' prognosis. Ninety charts of former and current adult residents, along with 25 self-administered surveys to current adult residents were reviewed. Nine areas of satisfaction (physical surrounding, support/treatment staff, type/kind, quality, amount/length, and outcome of service, general satisfaction, and service procedures) considered on the 20-item survey were identified primarily by the "Client Satisfaction Survey -8 (CSQ-8)". Examination of the nature and length of admission and discharge, level of participation in treatment modalities, along with suspected sociodemographic correlates will be presented. Routine evaluation of treatment programs allow for improved service delivery, program content, and an expanded view of how clients' roles and expectations while in treatment may affect the treatment process and potentially outcomes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to recognize major problems associated with access and availability of substance abuse treatment services for parenting women, demonstrate the process for evaluating an existing substance abuse treatment program for parenting women, identify and articulate areas for improvement in service delivery to special populations
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Women
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Caton Village
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.