Overview

This study collects costs information about the services received by all young adults participating in the National Study only. Regions are responsible for working with the VCHIP team to use existing sources of services and costs data to collect this information. If the region’s current services and costs data reporting do not provide the necessary information, then use measures provided by SAMHSA.

What Services Must be Included?

Your data collection efforts for the Services and Costs Study should include services provided by the following organizations, both public and private:

• mental health agencies and providers
• child welfare agencies and providers
• juvenile justice agencies
• education (special education services only)
• family and youth organizations
• physical health care services including those related to mental health care and psychiatric medications
• substance abuse treatment services
• general education services
• flexible funds (reported on a different form)

Include any data you may have on informal, natural support, in-kind, or volunteer services. If possible. Again this is only for young adults participating in the National study who have consented/assented to share these available data.

Your region may be using SAMHSA dollars as flexible funds. Flexible funds represent a pool of discretionary funds your region may have allocated within your plan to support children, youth, and families by purchasing items or services (e.g., rent, utilities, clothes, food, camp, car repair, etc.) that are not covered by other funding sources. If your region is providing services to young adults in the National study using flexible funds, you will need to collect information on services provided through flexible spending funds.

What Services Are Not Included?

• Physical health care services, except those directly related to mental health care (e.g., medication monitoring)
• Substance abuse treatment services
• Dental services
• Pharmacy services
• General education services

How Do We Record Services and Costs?

Services and costs data are required for clients enrolled in the National Study only for as long as that person is enrolled in services out to 24 months past intake date.

Data needs to be submitted quarterly. First quarter of data is April 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010. Second quarter of data is July 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010.

For all services that should be included in this study (see above), the following information needs to be recorded for each service event (i.e., each time that service is provided):

• Young Adult ID # (regions will receive a list of all young adults in the National Study)
• Service enrollment date(s) (i.e., intake and discharge dates)
• Service date(s) (date of specific service)
• Service type
• Provider agency/service sector
• Provider type
• Service location
• Service units and number of units
• Charges, payments, and payment source
• Unpaid service estimates

Regions should use the Services & Costs Data Collection form to record each service event. However, if it is easier for regions to use an excel spreadsheet to record service events that is also available.

Descriptions of Documents & Measures

Services & Costs Data Collection Form: This is the SAMHSA provided form for recording individual service events. Regions can choose to complete one of these forms for each service event for each young adult participating in the National Evaluation. The last page of the form provides a list of the service types, provider agencies, provider types, and locations.

Services & Costs Excel File: For some regions it may be simpler to record services and costs data using an excel spreadsheet. Each service event should be recorded on a separate row.

Services & Costs Manual: This is the complete manual describing the Services and Costs Study. Perhaps the most useful information is the glossary of terms used to understand the differences between provider types, service types, agencies, etc.

Flexible Funds Data Collection Form: This is a simple PDF form for recording the use of flexible funds received by young adults in the National Study.

Flexible Funds Excel File: This is an excel file for recording the use of flexible funds received by young adults in the National Study. You will have to enter the following password to use it: Password: [highlight bg=”#E85C2C” color=”#fff”]145pfhv$[/highlight]