Assertive Adolescent Family Treatment (AAFT) Evaluations

EMT partnered with two private non-profit agencies serving youth and families to evaluate their SAMHSA-funded AAFT programs. EMT collaboratively developed a logic model with program staff. Key activities and outcomes were then identified and a feasible measurement strategy was implemented. The AAFT projects were family-centered six-month outpatient substance abuse treatment programs targeting Latino youth ages 12 to 24, over half of whom were involved in the juvenile or criminal justice system. The evaluations examined implementation and fidelity to the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) and the Assertive Continuing Care (ACC) evidence based programs and tracked change in outcomes at multiple time points using the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) and National Outcomes Measures (NOMs) instruments. A bilingual bicultural EMT research assistant was onsite at each program to coordinate all data collection activities with project staff and to interact with youth. EMT shared fidelity and outcome data with project staff in multiple formats including monthly one-page flyers, quarterly presentations, and biannual reports and presentations. Staff input was gathered on a regular basis to structure presentation of data and data analyses. Outcome data presentations emphasized behavioral, mental health, substance use, and criminal justice indicators from GAIN.

For additional information, please contact EMT at (916) 983-6680 or email us at info@emt.org.