Process Evaluation of a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program in Dallas County, Texas, 1998-1999
Description
This study assessed the Dallas County Judicial Treatment
Center (DCJTC) in Texas. The DCJTC is a residential substance abuse
treatment center for drug-involved felony offenders. It provides a
treatment program of approximately six months in three major phases:
orientation, main treatment, and re-entry. Data were collected from
429 offenders admitted to the DCJTC between January and December
1998. During their first week of treatment, residents completed a
comprehensive intake battery that included (1) the Texas Christian
University (TCU) initial assessment, (2) the TCU self-rating form
(SRF), and (3) the TCU intake interview. The initial assessment gauged
mental status, background and psychosocial functioning, alcohol and
other drug use, and psychological status. The SRF assessed
psychological functioning, social functioning, and motivation for
treatment. The intake interview included detailed questions on the
resident's social background, family and peer relations, health and
psychological status, criminal history, drug use problems, and
behavioral risks for HIV/AIDS. Progress made during treatment was
measured by the TCU Resident Evaluation of Self and Treatment (REST)
and the TCU Counselor Rating of Client (CRC) forms. The REST included
all questions on the SRF, plus questions on offenders' perceptions of
the structure of the program and their experiences while in treatment,
an evaluation of the counselor, an evaluation of their own
personality, and ratings of group and individual treatment sessions.
The CRC forms rated residents on a set of attributes related to
residents' ability to benefit from treatment and indicated the extent
to which counseling activities with each client had focused on certain
activities.