Centre Working to Overhaul Data Collection System

As a result of the agency’s strategic planning session in 2023, Centre’s resident data collection and analysis methods will be overhauled to help us better understand the impacts Centre programming has on its residents and utilize the information to make improvements.

Centre has been generating reports on resident statistical information for 15 years, with little variation to the information we collect. As time has gone on, the utilization of our resident management system and the way we work with residents has evolved, so the time has come to advance our data efforts to collect and review additional data points. As we work toward closing a chapter on our current data collection methods and shifting to an updated, more in-depth version, let’s look at the similarities and differences between then and now.

In 2009, 552 residents were discharged from our transitional units, and in 2023 there were 1,139 transitional exits. Over that 15-year period, Centre increased its services to residents by over 100%. In comparing discharge rates between 2009 and 2023, they are quite similar with 73% being successful and 23% being unsuccessful. However, when comparing the reason for unsuccessful discharges, the program failure rate decreased by 10% between the 2009 and 2023 data. This decrease is the result of the evolution of our practices with handling violations of certain program rules and expectations.

In 2009, instances of a singular drug/alcohol use, lack of employment within the first two weeks of residency, being in the possession of a cell phone and having social media accounts, or not paying subsistence, were grounds for termination. Today, we find that a resident who relapses is more likely to succeed long-term if they are given an intervention, not a termination. We also find that residents who are struggling to obtain employment may need additional support from an Employment Placement Specialist or their Case Manager, or residents who aren’t paying subsistence need budgeting skills rather than an unsuccessful discharge. Our rules and practices surrounding cellular telephones, use of technology. and social media has also evolved. Residents can benefit from the use of these devices and platforms to connect with family, friends, and employers.

Centre still has a zero-tolerance stance on instances that impact the safety and security of our facility, staff, or residents, but our data shows that we are more frequently addressing instances of program non-compliance with in-house interventions as opposed to immediate program termination. Similarly, when reviewing instances of staff commending residents for positive behaviors, we have made significant strides in the last 15 years. In 2009, the documented positive-to-negative behaviors ratio was 1.2 to 1, meaning for every negative incident, we typically only had one positive to point out. In 2023, the positive-to-negative ratio was 4.7 to 1, which exceeds the evidence-based practices standard of 4 to 1, so staff should be commended for their utilization of positive reinforcement skills.

When comparing the 2009 data to 2023, many areas also trended similarly. For example, the average length of stay for a resident who successfully completed programming has consistently been around the 110-day timeframe, whereas someone who unsuccessfully discharges has remained around 69 days. While the frequency of breath alcohol concentration (BAC) tests remains statistically similar, we do see significantly fewer positive BAC tests. In 2009, there were 61,986 BAC tests completed with 64 positive (0.1%), and in 2023 there were 104,426 completed with 39 positive (0.04%). While there has been a significant decrease in alcohol use in the 15 years, instances of positive drug tests have remained essentially the same. In 2009, 6,606 total tests were conducted, 268 (4.06%) of which were positive, and in 2023, 12,278 tests were conducted with 537 (4.37%) being positive.

Based on the current plan, the goal is to have all new data collection practices finalized by the end of 2024, so they can go into effect in 2025. Once in place, we hope to look at data in a new light by comparing these numbers to resident risk areas and the services they received to better understand how aspects of Centre’s programming impacted an individual’s residency. We are looking forward to analyzing and utilizing this data in 2026 to further inform our programming, so stay tuned!



Brianna Way Guler
Compliance Director