Predicting Homelessness among Emerging Adults Aging Out of Foster Care.

This study examines risk and protective factors associated with experiencing homelessness in the year after "aging out" of foster care. Using a state-level integrated administrative database, we identified 1,202 emerging adults in Washington State who exited foster care between July 2010 and June 2012. Initial bivariate analyses were conducted to assess the association between candidate predictive factors and an indicator of homelessness in a 12-month follow-up period.

The use of administrative data as a substitute for individual screening scores in observational studies related to problematic alcohol or drug use.

Administrative data provide a rich resource for improving our understanding of individuals with substance use disorders. The validation of administrative proxies for moderate or high risk alcohol or drug (AOD) use could enhance the ability to carry out rigorous observational research (for example, for use in the construction of comparison groups). This study used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve techniques to assess how well AOD-related administrative indicators predicted self-reported AOD use obtained from AUDIT/DAST screening scores.

Evaluation of the Washington state screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment project: cost outcomes for Medicaid patients screened in hospital emergency departments.

Background: Substance abuse is a major determinant of morbidity, mortality, and health care resource consumption. We evaluated a screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) program, implemented in 9 hospital emergency departments (ED) in Washington State.

Methods: Working-age, disabled Medicaid patients who were screened and received a brief intervention (BI) from April 12, 2004 through September 30, 2006 were included in the study's intervention group (N = 1557).