Outcomes

One way Pinebrook can assess whether it is achieving its mission is by monitoring the quality and effectiveness of ongoing services via standardized outcome measurement tools, internal tracking systems, a comprehensive case review process, and client satisfaction surveys.

Data is collected and analyzed to better understand the impact our interventions have on children and families served, and how their lives have changed. This information is used as the basis of ongoing individual and programmatic services planning, and to establish best practice continuous performance improvement goals to meet identified needs.

Able to make informed decisions, we can ensure that children and families are safe, that their growth and development are optimized, and that Pinebrook remains responsive to the families and communities we serve.

• Of the 2,013 children and families served in all programs, 63% received behavioral health services; adoption services accounted for 2.3%; 11.6% were served in placement services and, community-based services accounted for 23.1% Individuals may be served in more than one program during the course of a year.
  
  
• 99.1% of the of all children served in all on-site programs were free from accidents such as playground and sports mishap, and falls while playing.
  
  
• Of the 1,466 children served in all, on-site programs, 9 required passive physical restraint to prevent harm to themselves or others for an overall restraint-free rate of 99.4%
  
  
• 85% of children in foster care were placed in two or fewer foster homes; 95% of children in placement at Pinebrook for less than 12 months had no more than two placements.
  
  
• Of those foster children discharged from care, 84% went to a discharge destination of less or the same restrictiveness; 10% went to more restrictive placements; 6% were discharged as runaways and subsequently did not return to Pinebrook.
  
  
• 67% of foster children were reunified with their biological families or were adopted; 2% transitioned from foster care to independent living; and, an additional 16% left Pinebrook programs for pre-adoptive placements, to rejoin siblings in placement elsewhere or to relocate closer to their families of origin; 15% were unplanned discharges.
  
  
• 54% of discharged foster children achieved all or most of their individualized service plan goals; 33% achieved some goals. We believe our outcome was affected by a growing number of children who were in placement for less than six months, 29%, and unable to accomplish goals in such a short time period.
  
  
• 81% of the time, foster children in regular-education classrooms achieved at or above ability level; school-aged foster children attended classes at least 96% of the time.
  
  
• 19 foster children and 19 community-based children received tutoring from volunteers from local colleges and communities.
  
  
• The behavioral health program served a total of 1,288 children; 58% received outpatient mental health counseling; 16% received psychiatric and/or psychological evaluations; 13% participated in the Summer Intervention Program (SIP); and, 13% received family based mental health services.
  
  
• 100% of youth receiving counseling at the Agency’s outpatient mental health program indicated that, when starting counseling, their difficulties were interfering moderately to very seriously with their daily lives. Of that group,all noted that, since coming to counseling, their problems were not bothering them as much. Quarterly results of the Massachusetts Adolescent Youth Screening Instrument (MAYSI-2) questionnaires mirror those findings.
  
  
• 100% of the families participating in the Family-Based Mental Health program rated the services they received as “good” to excellent” and all would recommend the service to friends. 50% to 63% of families participating in the program were able to maintain or improve their parental capabilities, family interactions, environment, and overall family safety via this team-based, intensive treatment intervention and support service.
  
  
• 91% of children participating in the Family-Based Mental Health program were able to be maintained in their own homes throughout the program.
  
  
• 100% of children who participated in the Summer Intervention Program (SIP) rated the program as “great” or “really great.” 100% of SIP parents would allow their child to participate in another summer program if offered.
  
  
• The Adoption program experienced a 150% jump in the number of finalized adoptions this year due to increased SWAN referrals.
  
  
• Together Families Program participants are drawn primarily from special populations of parents/caregivers at high risk for child maltreatment, such as those in substance abuse treatment/recovery, families struggling with truancy issues, mental illness, intellectual limitations, or limited English proficiency. Of all adults served by theTogether Families Program, 79% demonstrated improved qualities of parent-child interactions; 70% demonstrated improved knowledge of appropriate behavior management strategies/techniques; 99% will likely practice the information taught; and, 94% found the information taught useful.
  
  
• Thirty-three families whose children have been identified as having mental illness or autism spectrum disorder received 1,140 hours of In-home Respite services to provide temporary relief to parents/caregivers.
  
  
• 100% of Individual Family Life Education Program participants indicated that the parenting education and life skills training provided met their needs, that they would recommend the program to others, and that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the instructor’s knowledge and ability to communicate concepts and ideas clearly.
  
  
• The Transportation and Visitation Program provided 1,719 units of service to 114 families via transportation, supervised visitation and therapeutic intervention for families and their children who are in out-of-home placement settings. TVP staff covered a total of 136,882 miles.
  
  
• 100% of Individual Family Life Education Program participants indicated that the parenting education and life skills training provided met their needs, that they would recommend the program to others, and that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the instructor's knowledge and ability to communicate concepts and ideas clearly.
  
  
• 90% of all stakeholders surveyed rated the services they received from Pinebrook as good to excellent, and 92% would recommend Pinebrook to a friend or relative.
  
  
• Pinebrook Services for Children and Youth achieved re-accreditation from the Council on Accreditation. The Agency was heralded by COA for its strict adherence to best practice standards, quality performance and high level of professionalism.