Project Description:
Mat-Su Services for Children & Adults (MSSCA) has received funding from the Mat-Su Health Foundation and the Alaska Mental Health Authority for a 2-year pilot project to provide services for Mat-Su residents who experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI) before the age of 22 resulting in a long-term or lifelong disability, but not severe enough to qualify them for typical federal or state assistance programs. MSSCA proposes to provide community living services: respite, in-home support, day habilitation, supported employment, and case management. MSSCA has asked the UAA Center for Human Development (CHD) to evaluate the pilot project and determine if there is any indication services may have improved the quality of life for effected individuals and their families. Funding for evaluation is limited and will rely on written surveys. Evaluation methodologies will integrate information from participant demographics, recipient perceptions, and impacts of project services/products on individuals, as perceived by the individual, and as appropriate by a primary caregiver (i.e., when the effected individual is living with a caregiver).
Data Sources:
Initial Surveys will document the population being served (demographics) and provide a baseline for measuring changes in quality of life (pre-measure) for the individual receiving services and a primary caregiver. This measure will incorporate a modified Quality of Life Index.
Six Month Surveys will document services and products being utilized and measure quality of life perceptions of the individual receiving services and the primary caregiver while receiving pilot project services. This measure will incorporate the modified Quality of Life Index.
Annual Satisfaction Surveys will determine the level of satisfaction of individuals and/or primary caregivers with pilot project services and products. This measure will ask respondents to choose the most useful services and will incorporate a selection of relevant questions measuring potential improvement in individual functioning from the TBI Survivor Satisfaction Instrument and if appropriate, the Family Member Satisfaction Instrument.
