Draft Data Work Group Meeting Summary Notes
Vision: New Orleans will be a safe, crime and drug-free, healthy community with a good quality of life for all of its citizens
May 16th, 2013
3:00pm– 5:00pm
New Orleans Health Department
8th Floor Conference Room
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
In attendance: Dr. Ham Farris, LSUHSC; Seton Jenkins, Citizens for 1; Robert Gallati, Arc Assoc.; Donna Betzer, Healthy Life Style Choices;Erika Sugimori, NORAPAC; Debra Morton, RSD Safe Schools Healthy Students; Karen Mason, Louisiana Public Health Institute(LPHI); Natasha Dowell, New Orleans Health Department; Jenna Iberg Johnson, DHH/OPH/ IDEPI: Leo Hayden, Orleans Parish Prison, Director-South East Regional Re-entry Center. Conference Call: Rozanne Marel NYS OASIS Rep to CEWG; Virginia Williams, Office of the Judicial Administrator Drug Court Program;. Could not attend: Paulette Carter, Children’s Bureau of New Orleans; Bill Blanchard, LA DHH/OBH State SEW; David Seal, Tulane; Henry Dean, New Orleans Police Department; Chris Gunther NO Health Department Behavioral Health/Violence; Helmut Schneider, Louisiana Highway Safety; Calvin Johnson, Executive Director Metropolitan Services District; Jessica Ortner, Gulf Coast HIDTA ; Claire Norris, Xavier University;, Park Initiative; Nathaniel Weaver, New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation; Richard La Pratt, Via Link 211
Agenda and Outcomes
Brief Overview of Last meeting and Roll Call
Bob Gallati reviewed the last meeting and welcomed new members.
Progress Reports on Data Proposal and Related Activity http://arc-associates.net/datawg
Ham led the group through the outcomes of Proposal recommendations.
Proposal 1 – HIDTA Provider Surveys (Treatment and Prevention).
Proposed Action: Ensure Louisiana’s participation on the treatment and prevention provider surveys.
The group delayed discussing this proposal in the absence of Jessica Ortner. However, the group discussed the possibility of securing assistance from Dr. DeSalvo to distribute the survey at the local level utilizing the newly developed Behavioral Health Guide to identify local treatment/prevention providers.
Proposal 2 – Caring Communities Youth Survey (CCYS)
Proposed Action: Increase CCYS survey participation by at least 70% in 2014.
A meeting has been scheduled for Data Work Group members Donna Betzer, Seton Jenkins and Bob Gallati with the CCYS contractors at the Picard Center in Baton Rouge on Friday, May 17th at 10am. Donna previously sent Picard Center representatives, Dr. Gary Asmus and John LaCour, an agenda with a list of recommendations and requests concerning the CCYS survey. The group discussed the importance of also meeting with Bach Harrison representatives who provide the analysis of the survey. The DWG also discussed the importance of researching successful strategies that may be in place in other parishes to increase response rates. The group also affirmed the importance of developing a collaborative community of practice to inform the community on how to use the data. It was the consensus of the group that the importance of using the CCYS as a tool for program planning and evaluation is underutilized. Debra Morton stated that her estimation of why the survey is underutilized might be because the schools have not been appropriately motivated to participate in the survey or utilize the information in program planning. Debra’s tactic in gaining RSD school participation was to align her talking points with where the schools were heading. In other words, use the mantra of how participation in the CCYS survey is connected to student achievement. Debra also stated that the best way to approach the principals is through the peer groups. Principals are observant of principals that are successful. Therefore it would be important to garner the principals who can lead in “creating a fire.” Use a practical approach to gain enthusiasm. Ask the contractors ‘How do you see CCYS from an achievement standard?” Ham also suggested discussing with the Picard Center information related to the implementation and execution of the survey.
Proposal 3 – Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
Proposed Action: Explore potential for participation at local level. Secondary analysis of the YRBS should be conducted to address policy issues including the correlation of substance use, violence and other risks.
Karen stated that analysis of the YRBS survey will be completed shortly. She stated that the data will not include Orleans. Karen will find out what it would take to administer the YRBS at the local level. However, Karen also stated and the group concurred that the CCYS data is more relevant to our efforts and that it would be important to ensure that participation is increased.
Proposal 4 – National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
Seton reported that she is following up with Judge Calvin Johnson on the status of the request to SAMHSA to redefine the NSDUH sub state planning area to better define Metropolitan New Orleans as its own area in order to provide a baseline for trends. Next steps will be to request that SAMHSA continue to expand the number of indicators at the sub-state level, including “alcohol or illicit drug dependence” and “needing but not receiving treatment for alcohol or drug use” as well as mental health indicators.
Proposal 5- Re-Entry from State and Local Prisons
Proposed Actions: A statistical report should be developed that documents the flow of state and local inmates re-entering the community, including a description of their characteristics. A review of procedures and instruments that are used to assess the need for re-entry services should be completed, including those used to assess the need from substance abuse and mental health services. A statistical report should be developed describing the characteristics of inmates assessed for different needs and the results of those assessments.
Leo Hayden gave a review of Orleans Parish Sheriff’s South East Regional Re-Entry. The Re-entry program involves Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Parish. Leo stated that the Re-Entry Program includes a comprehensive intervention strategy that is geared toward assisting offenders to acquire life skills and other services needed to ensure success in the community and reduced recidivism. Leo said that most offenders come to the program within 18 months-6months of going home. The outcome measure of the program is to prevent recidivism. The program is funded by the Department of Correction. The curriculum is the one used by Secretary Stalder and has not been updated to include technological advancement. Leo’s program places heavy emphasis on the family. Interviewing family members –looking at a strength and weakness model- has helped to build the success of the program. Leo stated that of over 900 family interviews, the families indicate that the problem with the family member in the criminal justice system is drugs in 75-80% of the cases. The drug of choice in 99% of the cases is marijuana. Leo’s estimation is that 100% of those who are arrested “smoke weed” and do not consider it a drug. When offenders do admit a drug of choice 90% will admit heroin. He stated that poly drug users don’t consider alcohol a drug.
Leo stated that the questionnaire that he utilizes can glean what services offenders need while transitioning into society. Although the consent decree has defined that there be more services for offenders, these services have not yet been seen. Bob questioned the need to connect re-entry with community-based services. Leo stated that if the offenders do not access treatment within 72 hours of release then a window of opportunity is lost. Debra requested information regarding the wealth of information and knowledge regarding the continuum of care and dialogue with others in the community from city hall, to the behavioral health care system to small group practicums. Leo stated that a third of the offenders are between 17 and 24, a third are 50 years and older and a third are sex offenders. He stated that although there are programs such as Job One, that 90% of those released need treatment before job placement. Importantly, Leo said that the OPP multidisciplinary staffing develops a treatment plan but that the responsibility of implementing the plan is within the realm of probation and parole. -Recent recidivism rate is that 27% are returning within three years. Reducing this statistic requires services, a continuum of care and assurance of acquiring a job.
Ham discussed the importance of exploring the data and ensuring that a database would be created for the family inventory. The group concurred that it would be critical to ensure that the data collected by Leo would be used to impact programming, services and data improvement.
Leo also stated the importance of having “exit houses” in place, particularly for the sex offender. Having an “exit environment” for offenders is extremely important.
The group concurred with Leo’s statement that as a community “we should do things that work” and have a way to measure. He mentioned that the scanner has been broken and therefore it has been impossible to enter the TCU assessment-pre and post test- as well as the family questionnaire. Ham stated that he would seek the potential for interns to input the data.
Leo also stated how the data system could help enhance programming. For example, he stated that offenders are not taught relevant knowledge related to money management and budgeting.
Proposal 6-Child Abuse and Neglect (Maltreatment)
Bob reported for Paulette. Paulette had contacted Ben Francois of DFSC who is aware of the type of data that we are looking for regarding alcohol and drug-related maltreatment. DFSC collects the data and next steps will be to discover how it is recorded and how it can be accessed.
· Additional Data Proposals & Related Data Activity
Jenna gave the DWG an overview of the Louisiana Hospital Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance System. The system provides daily summaries of emergency department chief complaint data extracted from Louisiana Early Event Detection System (LEEDS), The Office of Public Health’s syndromic surveillance system from 11 hospitals in the GREATER New Orleans area to monitor systems. According to Jenna, the basic data looks at chief complaints but tags any relevant syndromes.
Jenna presented the information below that contains monthly summaries of ED visits related to alcohol, drugs and mental health in the greater New Orleans area from January-April 2013
DWG members asked Jenna if it is possible to break out the data per Region (Orleans and Jefferson ) and if it is possible to look at data by residence since residents who live in Jefferson may visit an ED in Orleans and vice versa. Natasha opined that it is helpful to view Jenna’s information and compare to the Behavioral Health Dashboard.
Bob questioned Rozanne regarding whether NY has a system similar to LEEDS. Rozanne stated that NY has a monitoring system and stated that a national model exists and will research the similarities. Rozanne also stated that there are limited sites participating in ADAM II (Alcohol Drug Arrestee Monitoring) due to budget restraints. However, Manhattan is a participant.
o N-SSATS Survey
Bob presented the status of N-SSATS in lieu of Erica. Bob stated that the Treatment Work Group (TWG) reviewed and compared information from ViaLink 211, MHSD, New Orleans Behavioral Health Directory and discovered over 70 facilities not listed in I-SATS. The TWG then developed supplemental information that they determined would lead them to the development of a better model to identify how to better serve the treatment needs of New Orleans. Having Treatment Providers complete N-SSATS and the accompanying supplemental survey will help the TWG determine how big the system is right now, how many people are presently being served and what kind of a system will be needed to serve the population. An outcome of this effort has been expanding information for the FEDS and collaborating on information that is in their systems. The efforts also have enhanced the Behavioral Health Care Guide’s information and provide a gateway to understanding what the system of care looks like. The TWG is compiling the information with the assistance of two interns.
· Development of Substance Abuse Health Profile
Bob led workgroup members in a discussion related to the Substance Abuse Health Profile asking such questions as what the profile ‘should look like’, “What do we want to call it”, “What should the organization of it look like.” Ham discussed the importance of presenting compelling data to provide the profile-no narrative. The group discussed the importance of illustrating what we will measure through our efforts with the knowledge that each targeted outcome has multiple indicators. Karen opined that what we want to do is to reduce drug use/abuse so it will important to continue to document how the needle moves. Important to build baselines-put the data out there and watch the development over time. Have a basic narrative without analysis. Karen also stated that charts are an important visual and that she could assist with. The Group also discussed the fact that monitoring resources is not a deep exercise and that it would be important to discover where we should target resources. Therefore it would be important to produce a map of indicators per neighborhood. A consensus of the Work Group was reached regarding
Handouts: Agenda, April 16 Meeting Summary Minutes, Updated proposal, DWG Roster, Louisiana Hospital Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance Handout, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office South East Regional Re-Entry Center
May 16th Data Workgroup mtg 1 of 5