NIATx E-News (December 20 2005)

December 2005

E-News Update

In This Issue

NIATx member organizations have been successfully improving access to and retention in addiction treatment by targeting the four aims: reduce waiting time, reduce no-shows, increase admissions, and increase continuation. Our member organizations have pilot-tested a variety of practices to achieve those aims. Their work has helped us to identify five promising practices for each of the NIATx aims. Representing 35 NIATx member agencies, these promising practices are now available for your reference on the NIATx Web site.

NIATX used a collaborative approach to select the five promising practices for each aim, drawing from information shared among members, coaches, and NPO staff during interest circle calls, Learning Sessions, and other meetings. Data submitted online by NIATx agencies also helped identify effective practices. The promising practices chosen have contributed to successful change projects in a wide range of member organizations. [READ MORE]

Increasing Continuation: WASTAR/STEP 2
Visual Modeling

NIATx Presentations

January 27, 2006
Los Angeles County and the Pacific Southwest ATTC Process Improvement Pilot project introductory workshop.
Contact Steve Gallon at sgallon@aol.com.
January 29– February 1, 2006
The Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York (ASAP) 9th Annual Conference.
For additional information, contact Debbie Pantin at debbie.pantin@palladiainc.org

Increasing Continuation: WASTAR/STEP 2

Jamie was only 22 but her life had become a downward spiral of domestic abuse and addiction to methamphetamine. One fateful rainy day Jamie looked for help in the telephone book and found STEP 2, a program in Reno, Nevada, that provides addiction treatment services to women. STEP 2 gave Jamie the opportunity to get off methamphetamine and provided the appropriate mix of treatment services, support, and encouragement she needed to maintain a drug-free lifestyle. At STEP 2, Jamie completed treatment for her addiction and received prenatal care and parenting education. She continued her education and set up an independent and respectable life for herself and her two young sons. Jamie was also instrumental in setting up an alumni group for STEP 2 graduates. Her story is one of a life that was truly transformed. READ MORE...

Visual Modeling Tools

Though it seems clear that the five principles promote success, how to apply these principles in practice is not so clear. We can use visual modeling tools to implement the five principles, because they allow us to map out the system and infer cause and effect, generate ideas and solutions, and manage the change process better. Read more about the 10 VISUAL MODELING TOOLS (basic flowcharts, swimlane diagrams, fishbone diagrams, inter-relationship digraph, iBoards, i2 charts, sociograms, spiderwebs, Tug-O-War diagrams, WWW charts) that facilitate process improvement.