Capacity building for outcome evaluation within two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation services in Queensland

This project, funded by the Queensland Mental Health Commission, aimed to build evaluation capacity within two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residential alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services of Pinangba located in rural Queensland. Using a participatory evaluation approach, the project supported staff and clients to co-design and implement a culturally appropriate routine data collection system that could monitor client outcomes and service experience over time.

The project was structured in two phases: Phase 1 focused on designing and piloting tools for routine data collection, including a client experience survey and a client outcome survey. Phase 2 involved the full implementation of the data system, with a focus on integrating evaluation into everyday service delivery and building the capacity of staff to manage data collection and analysis.

Key outcomes include:

1. Strengthened evaluation capability within the services, including mentoring and training for staff 2. Successful implementation of routine client experience and outcome monitoring tools 3. Direct use of client feedback to inform service improvements 4. Identification of practical strategies to embed data collection into clinical workflows 5. Recognition of the therapeutic value of outcome monitoring for clients themselves

As a result of the success of this project, the Queensland Mental Health Commission has also funded further initiatives including:

1. The development of a comprehensive model of care for Pinangba’s residential treatment services 2. The development and implementation of a community relapse prevention program to extend support beyond residential treatment.

This project contributes important knowledge to the field of Aboriginal alcohol and other drugs service evaluation and demonstrates how collaborative, culturally responsive approaches can support continuous quality improvement in practice.