Casa de Amparo stresses the importance of “SMART”* objectives. Measurability is key for not only our reporting requirements but also to guide us in improving and enhancing our programs and organizational structure overall. Read more…

*Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound

Efforts to Outcomes

To measure qualitative/quantitative outcomes, we use Social Solutions Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), customized software for confidential and secure data collection.  Through ETO we  identify and track trends, monitor participant attendance, analyze survey results and monitor participant information throughout the organization. Outcomes and demographic reports are reviewed monthly by Program Managers and the Director of Programs.

Our Success is Recognized--
CAMS (Child and Adolescent Measurement System)

Children’s Mental Health programs in San Diego County have been using CAMS as an outcome tool since 2005. In 2008, Casa de Amparo was identified as a top ten most successful program in obtaining and entering CAMS scores at Intake and Discharge.

Following is a summary of current ETO results by program.

Hayward Child Development Center

The average length of enrollment in the Child Development Center is 12 months. Teachers and on-site clinicians work with enrolled children and families to administer the evidence-based assessments and measures to determine individualized goals. Developmental, educational and behavioral outcomes are tracked through ETO software.

FY 08-09 measures show the following improvements from enrolled children and parents:

• 100% of children demonstrated improvements in problem-solving skills through daily activities and play
• 100% of children demonstrated improvement in cognitive competence
• 100% decrease in children’s developmental problems
• 60% decrease in children’s ADD/ADHD problems
• 33% decrease in parent depression levels
• 47% increase in parent ability to meet the overall needs of their children
• 56% decrease in families’ overall stress levels
• 56% increase in parent-child attachment (strengthened communication and interaction)

Children’s Shelter

The Children’s Shelter monitors the progress of each child using the County of San Diego’s Functional Assessment Rating Scale (CFARS) that measures the children's physical, emotional and academic progress. The CFARS is completed within 30 days of program entry, every six months thereafter and at discharge. The assessment is completed by children and clinicians to measure levels of depression, anxiety, medical needs, traumatic stress and quality of interpersonal relationships.

FY 08-09 measures show the following improvements:

• 83% of children demonstrated improved relationships: measured by hyperactivity and interpersonal relationships
• 83% of children demonstrated improved emotionality: measured by levels of anxiety, traumatic stress and depression
• 90% of children demonstrated improved safety: measured by safety to self and safety to others
• 93% of children demonstrated lessened disability: measured by thought process and medical/physical needs

Counseling Services 

Casa de Amparo offers counseling services to participants in all of our programs. During FY 08-09, our therapists provided approximately 9,300 hours of counseling and therapeutic support for children and families in the Hayward Child Development Center, former foster youth in our New Directions transitional housing program and residents in the Children’s Shelter.  Counseling services helped to achieve the outcomes reported for each individual program. 

Family Visitation

The Supervised Family Visitation Program is a court-ordered service for families working towards reunification. The County does not track the short-term success of reunification for families using contracted visitation programs. Casa de Amparo however, has an internal tracking process in place that reports the destination of families exiting our program after their services stop. In FY 08-09, 42% started unsupervised visits or successfully reunified.

New Directions

During FY 08-09, 40 young adults participating in the New Directions transitional housing program received assessments, case management and planning to determine each individual’s strengths and needs. During FY 08-09 participants in New Directions transitional housing program demonstrated the following:

• 75% of participants maintained stable housing
• 96% of program participants made timely rental payments within three months of entering the program
• 95% of program participants were able to independently access needed medical, dental, and mental health care
• 100% of participants were connected with Independent Living Services (ILS) in the first 30 days of the program and established appropriate educational/employment goals with measurable annual objectives
• 100% of program participants established a permanent relationship with a safe and supportive adult by the time of program completion

Strategic Focus
Strategic Management
Strategic Goals
Program Objectives
Organizational Capacity
Organizational Capacity Comparison
Campaign for Casa Kids
Reporting