Training/Technical Assistance & Best Practices

Locality: Arlington
Contact: Lee Goldman
Phone Number: (703) 228-1510
Email Address: lgoldman2@co.arlington.va.us

Description of Best Practice: At the end of every CSA child’s treatment episode, the lead caseworker completes a Vendor Evaluation Form and forwards the form to the local CSA office within 14 days. The Vendor Evaluation Form includes information regarding client difficulties, family/guardian difficulties, provider rating by the lead CSA case manager, outcomes, etc. The local CSA office compiles the Vendor Evaluation Form responses into summary reports biannually and provides feedback to vendors for whom there are significantly positive or negative reports. Evaluative reports are considered when vendor contracts are renewed.

What have been the benefits/results of the implementation? The locality has received improved feedback regarding the effectiveness of vendors and their services. Major issues have been identified. The data has provided the locality with information that has been useful in matching client service needs with providers.

Estimated Savings: None stated

Barriers to Overcome:  The number of CSA children services in this locality does not provide enough data for a significant statistical analysis. ensuring CSA case managers follow through with the delivery of the evaluation form to the CSA office due to busy work-load schedules of the CSA case mangers can be an issue. Finally, the data from the survey is collected as a "one-time" event.