The Wisconsin Adolescent Project - Successful Change Effort Helps Agencies Improve Services

What is the Wisconsin Adolescent Project?

Back in December, I wrote about how NIATx was working with agencies in Wisconsin to help remove barriers to implementing Teen Intervene, an evidence-based program aimed at teens who are experimenting with alcohol and drugs, but who are not dependent.
That project, called the "Wisconsin Adolescent Project," came to an end on March 31, 2010. Organized by Susan Endres, Adolescent Treatment Coordinator at Wisconsin Department of Health Services, this was a partnership between the state of Wisconsin, Dr. Ken Winters of University of Minnesota, creator of the evidence-based practice Teen Intervene, (TI), NIATx, and three agencies that serve adolescents: University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics’ Adolescent Alcohol/Drug Assessment Intervention Program (UWHC-AADAIP); Coulee Youth Centers of La Crosse, and Options, Inc. of Appleton, which operates several sites in the surrounding area.

 
What Did the Project Consist of?

Betta Owens and Anna Wheelock worked as NIATx team coaches, helping agencies identify and remove barriers to implementing TI. After a kick-off meeting in the fall 2009, we conducted Process Improvement 101 training at the three sites, attended TI training with providers, and held monthly teleconferences. Dr. Winters participated in the teleconferences and provided the agencies with additional assistance in the use of the TI tool.
 
Improved Services through the NIATx Process Improvement Model

By the end of this six-month project, each program had made significant changes:

• Coulee Youth Centers had not only implemented TI in its main office, but is now working with all area high schools to implement it.
• Options, Inc. had expected to treat an additional 27 youth and families per year, but now expects to serve 60, and will introduce the tool in its Oshkosh office, which serves primarily college students.
• In Madison, AADAIP focused on reducing its assessment time from two to three appointments spaced out over several weeks to one appointment of less than 60 minutes, which now allows time for its staff to implement TI.

The project’s change leaders have formed a network and will continue to support each other. They are applying for a panel presentation and hoping to share their experience at an upcoming conference in Baltimore.
Susan Endres is pleased with the results, and is now writing a proposal to expand the project statewide. She says, “I would never have tried this without NIATx!”
 
The Takeaway

The NIATx model and process improvement training aren't just for early intervention -- these tools can also help agencies looking to improve services to kids with serious alcohol and drug problems, and mental health issues, who involved in the juvenile justice system.