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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jeffrey R.W. Knudsen, MA¹, Aaron M. Williams, MA², and Thomas G. Durham, PhD². (1) RMC Research Corporation, 111 SW Columbia St, Suite 1200, Portland, OR 97201, 503 223-8248, jknudsen@rmccorp.com, (2) The Danya Institute, 8737 Colesville Road, Suite 300, Silver Spring, MD 20910

From 2002- 2005, The Danya Institute, via the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (CEATTC), collaborated with the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, the Kentucky Division of Substance Abuse, and the Tennessee Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services to conduct statewide needs assessments of behavioral health professionals. Surveys were administered to agency directors and clinical staff in treatment agencies across each state. Survey content addressed multiple issues including demographics, academic and professional background, staff turnover, recruitment and retention issues, and staff proficiency and training interests. Results from needs assessment surveys were processed and summarized by RMC Research Corporation, in collaboration with The Danya Institute. The aforementioned state offices were included in the final review and editing of the survey instrument, the sampling process, and participated in review and interpretation of data. Final reports were disseminated to each state office, and have since played a role in multiple changes in each state, including: increased dialogue around workforce issues, redirected state training programs, work with local universities concerning substance abuse coursework, and increased awareness regarding topics such as leadership and clinical supervision. This session will discuss how three state offices have utilized needs assessment data to implement change to benefit the behavioral health workforce. Results from needs assessments will be summarized along with results of key-informant interviews conducted with each state office to demonstrate how data-driven decision making has helped improve the current state of addiction treatment.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Discuss the importance of needs assessment data
• Discuss the importance of data driven decision making
• Identify ways in which needs assessment data can influence state policy and/or initiatives

Keywords: Needs Assessment, Workforce

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered