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.
GA-U Clients and Mortality
This study answers the following question: Does chemical dependency treatment provided to GA-U clients reduce the risk of death? The study presents GA-U mortality data for clients who received chemical dependency treatment sometime during 2000 or 2001 compared to those who needed chemical dependency treatment but did not receive it. Findings indicate that chemical dependency treatment has an important protective impact for GA-U clients, reducing risk of death by approximately 30 percent.
Chemical Dependency Treatment, Public Safety
The Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse provides chemical dependency treatment to low-income adults in Washington State. This report examines the impact of chemical dependency treatment on criminal activity in calendar year 2007 among non-Medicaid adults served by DASA, including General Assistance-Unemployable (GA-U), Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Act (ADATSA), and other low-income adults with chemical dependency who are not enrolled in Medicaid, GA-U or ADATSA. Reductions in arrests and cost reductions to crime victims and taxpayers are provided.
Access to Recovery Services Help Contain Medical Costs for Chemically Dependent Clients
In 2004, Washington was one of 14 states that received an initial three-year ($22.8 million) grant to support the development of an Access to Recovery (ATR) program. The six counties that participated in the ATR effort in Washington State were: Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Yakima. The impact of Washington's ATR I program on DSHS fee for service medical costs was assessed for working age disabled clients who were eligible for medical coverage under the aged, blind or disabled (ABD), GAU, or ADATSA programs.
2007 Client Information, Program Descriptions
Program handouts for each of DSHS major programs describe client services. Types of services, program activities, the numbers of clients receiving each service, and the average client cost for each service is provided. The handouts also illustrate statistics and trends, as they apply uniquely to each program area.
Intensive Case Management as a Community-Based Stand-Alone Service
This report provides a preliminary examination of the impact of The Intensive Case Management pilot program in Thurston and Mason counties, where it is offered as a community-based, stand-alone service. The program has been in operation since late fall of 2005.
Intensive Case Management within a Supportive Housing Facility
This report provides a preliminary examination of the impact of The Intensive Case Management pilot program in King County, where it is nested within a supportive housing unit. The housing facility provides a range of services and support to individuals who were targeted for participation due to their high utilization of crisis services (such as, emergency departments, detoxification centers, and jails). The King County pilot has been in operation since late fall of 2005.
Welfare Fraud Investigations: Cost Savings Estimates for TANF, GA, Child Care, Basic Food, and Medical Assistance
This report estimates the amount of state and federal funds to be saved among cases referred for welfare fraud investigation during the 2003-05 Biennium. Savings are estimated across five major program areas: Medical Assistance, the Basic Food Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care, and General Assistance (GA).
ICM Pilot Participants, Baseline demographics, health conditions, criminal
These reports provide measures of Intensive Care Management pilots in Thurston, Mason, and King counties. The pilots were designed for persons known to use high levels of crisis services and who had a primary diagnosis of chemical dependency or a dual diagnosis of chemical dependency and mental illness. Comparisons are made between ICM clients and "regular" clients admitted to alcohol/drug treatment in 2006.
Children of DOC incarcerated parents use DSHS services at very high rates
This is the first of a series of analyses prepared to satisfy reporting requirements under E2SHB 1422 which requires the Department of Social and Health Services to gather information and data on the recipients of assistance who are the children and families of inmates incarcerated at department of corrections facilities.
Predictors of Out-of-Home Placement Among Children with Developmental Disabilities
This study assisted DDD in identifying children at risk of being placed in institutions so that they may receive preventive services. Important factors for risk included caregiver stress and lack of backup caregivers, as well as autism combined with problem behaviors.
County Profiles, Birth and Unintended Pregnancy Statistics 1990 to 2006
This report describes maternal characteristics, births, and abortions by the woman's county of residence. This is the first in the series of County Profiles published by RDA to include the numbers and types of obstetric providers who attended births that occurred in the stated county.
Treatment Works! For ADATSA Clients
The Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Act passed by the Washington State Legislature in 1987, provided for assessments, outpatient treatment, and financial support for indigent clients deemed unemployable due to alcohol or other drug (AOD) addiction. This analysis identifies differences in earnings, criminal justice outcomes, and medical costs for ADATSA clients who received AOD treatment compared to those who did not receive AOD treatment.
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