Research

YATA Research Commitment

Members of YATA commit to contribute to the research effort of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council (OBHC) and National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

Currently OBHC and NATSAP run the most robust outcomes data collection in the private-pay treatment milieu.  These two organizations share a database, a battery of instruments, and direction of research efforts through the University of New Hampshire under the leadership of Dr. Mike Gass.

The NATSAP database contains data from a wide range of treatment programs ranging from wilderness therapy programs to adult transition programs and even outpatient services. The diversity of this database does, and will continue, to play an essential role in understanding the overview of the private-pay treatment world.

The decision was made by the YATA board to initiate data collection in conjunction with the instruments and schedule already established by the NATSAP initiative with intentions to advance the development of unique YATA instruments and schedules over time. This parallel effort allows YATA members to harness the experience and comparison data set developed by NATSAP while leaving room for YATA programs to develop specialized measures for their unique style of treatment.

Below is a breakdown of the instruments and schedule endorsed by the YATA board:

Electronic Data Collection System:

OutcomeTools

OutcomeTools is a stand-alone web-based data collection system though it has been integrated with Best Notes.  Whether data is collected on paper or via any other method, results must be entered in to OutcomeTools.  Through this system data can conveniently be de-identified and packaged for analysis.

Consent:

Consent can be obtained on paper or electronically.  Currently the NATSAP consent form will be used. If a program engages in research that deviates from the NATSAP study, it is advised that they obtain their own consent form in addition to the NATSAP form.

Outcomes Measures:

Outcomes Questionnaire 45.2 (OQ 45.2)

The OQ 45.2 is a 45-question outcomes measure with strong psychometric properties.  It has 3 subscales that gather information on a wide range of young adult functioning. It is designed as an outcomes measure and is commonly used by thousands of treatment providers. This measure is available for $300 annually.

Family Measures:

McMaster Family Assessment Device General Functioning Scale (
FAD-GF)

The FAD-GF is a 12 question family measure. It is designed to provide a short but powerful glimpse into family functioning. This measure is open source and free of charge.

Demographic Questionnaires:

Currently, YATA will use the NATSAP demographic questionnaires developed for the adult client population. There are three different versions of the surveys:

NATSAP Adult Questionnaire: Intake (AQI)

NATSAP Adult Questionnaire: Discharge (AQD)

NATSAP Adult Questionnaire: Post Discharge (AQPD)

Each survey asks different questions that are pertinent to each stage of the treatment process. (Note: these surveys will be targeted by a team of YATA members and developed to better reflect the needs of transition programs)

Data Collection Schedule:

During Treatment

Client Admission:

Consent Form

OQ 45.2

AQI

FAD

Every 90 days until discharge

OQ 45.2

Discharge

OQ 45.2

AQD

FAD

6 Months Post Discharge

OQ 45.2

AQPD

FAD

12 Months Post Discharge

OQ 45.2

AQPD

FAD

Getting Started

Contact: Mike Petree
Petree Consulting Inc
435-669-9852
Mike@remoteresearchdirector.com

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