1. 1 The Ohio Mental Health Consumer Outcomes System: A Brief Overview and Context Presentation prepared for Family Impact Seminar, Duke University Center for Child and Family Policy Leslie A. Brower, Ph.D., R.N. Deputy Director for Program and Policy Development Ohio Department of Mental Health

2. 2 What is the Consumer Outcomes System? A way to evaluate progress made by consumers and families who receive publicly-funded mental health services A way for consumers and families to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of services in their area One part of a performance evaluation commitment that also includes customer satisfaction, service investments and accountability for expenditures A set of surveys…

3. 3 …Actually, Three Sets of Surveys for: Adults with severe mental illness Adults receiving general mental health services Children and families …Completed by: Adult consumers and youth over the age of 12 Parents or guardians of youth Providers (typically the ones who know them best)

4. 4 …Asking questions established by a broadly representative committee, on Symptom distress (adults) or problem severity (youth) Level of functioning (work, school, home) Quality of Life (housing, family/friends, finances) Empowerment (adults with severe mental illness) Hopefulness (youth and parent) Satisfaction with services (parent) Safety and Health

5. 5 …and framed to recognize The importance of personal empowerment to recovery The critical role of parents and communities The fact that the mental illness or disturbance itself can be overshadowed by its negative social consequences: stigma, substandard housing, school failure, family disintegration, loss of work/family/friends, bankruptcy, etc.

6. 6 …and administered At intake and at regular intervals thereafter (3-6 months, 12 months, annually, termination) According to strict guidelines, recognizing that this isn’t research By accountable mental health agency staff To flow data to county boards and to ODMH

7. 7 Context of Ohio’s Publicly Funded Mental Health System ODMH DJFS “Medicaid” 500 Community Agencies 50 County Boards (MH & AOD) Community Mental Health Centers Specialized services (employment, case management, housing) Crisis/”Front door” agencies