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MISSION | EXPERTISE | STAFF | BOARD | GENERAL INFORMATION | DIRECTIONS | CAREERS | FINANCIALS The NRI staff have extensive experience facilitating task groups of diverse stakeholders to reach consensus on important issues, developing standardized models for data collection, evaluating programs, and developing user-friendly reports.
Some of the key areas of expertise and experience include: MENTAL HEALTH PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT NRI staff have coordinated activities for federally-funded multi-state performance measurement initiatives, implemented a national standardized behavioral health performance measurement system, developed risk-adjustment methodologies for performance measurement benchmarking, and provided technical assistance to individual states to support their performance measurement initiatives. NRI staff are currently coordinating an initiative involving stakeholder organizations, provider organizations, and managed care organizations to define the next generation of mental health performance measures. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Besides data collection and analysis related to performance measures, NRI compiles data from states related to the federal Community Mental Health Block Grant Program; develop revenues and expenditures reports for all SMHAs; and obtain and maintain a database on profiles of SMHAs which includes data on organization, programs, financing, quality management, information systems, and research and evaluation. A major focus of NRI data-related activities has been on utilizing data for policy development, planning, and quality improvement. PROGRAM ASSESSMENT NRI has implemented several program assessment initiatives including a multi-state evaluation related to the implementation of evidence-based practices, an evaluation to assess interventions related to the reduction of seclusion and restraint in state hospitals, and, at a broader national level, assess the impact of SAMHSA's Community Mental Health Block Grant program by developing standardized process and outcomes measures. NRI staff have also been involved with evaluations related to managed care, early childhood intervention, and deinstitutionalization. EVALUATION DESIGN / METHODOLOGY NRI has developed and pilot-tested specific instruments, sponsored the development of fidelity measures for mental health evidence-based practices, and implemented risk adjustment methodologies. NRI has also developed multiple methodologies for data submission including web-based transmission. In some of these areas, NRI has sponsored training and technical assistance. POLICY ANALYSIS NRI regularly produces both brief and longitudinal policy analyses. Recent brief reports include analyses of state mental health budget gaps and the closing of state psychiatric hospitals. More extensive policy analyses included trends on SMHA revenues and expenditures over the last twenty years and analyses related to seclusion and restraint reduction. EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES Through its Center for Mental Health Quality and Accountability, NRI coordinates activities among states to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based practices, conducts an evaluation of a multi-state initiative related to evidence-based practices "toolkits", and develops fidelity measures for evidence-based practices. The Center is also developing an initiative related to children's evidence-based practices. INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION NRI staff have been involved with the development of mental health data standards for the last 15 years and provide technical assistance to SMHAs and other entities related to data standards and information systems development and implementation. NETWORK DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT NRI has the capacity to draw on the resources of all 55 state and territorial mental health agencies and other organizations with which it has collaborative relationships to develop and respond to emergent priorities. The established network NRI has with these entities also permits rapid implementation of evaluation methodologies and assessments, including the ability to rapidly conduct national surveys related to a particular issue. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION NRI has several mechanisms to obtain and share state-of-the-art knowledge and information. NRI hosts an annual research conference that reflects cutting-edge mental health research and evaluation. NRI also conducts specialized conferences such as the Adult Evidence-Based Practices Science-to-Services Conference and workshops related to specific methodologies. NRI also has a web-site through which it disseminates its reports and data. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NRI provides technical assistance to states and other entities in the areas of its expertise. This technical assistance ranges from consultations and site visits to more long-range collaborative initiatives. NRI staff are competent in several languages including Amharic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, and Tagalog.
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