Predictors of retention in a homeless veteran intervention program

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Authors
Cote, David J.
Subjects
Homeless
Veterans
Substance Abuse
Veteran Services
Advisors
Fricker, Ronald D.
Date of Issue
2012-12
Date
Dec-12
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This study assessed the value of a specific set of client variables in predicting treatment phase retention and overall program completion of an intervention treatment program for homeless veterans. Treatment programs can improve the lives of homeless individuals, but many participants leave prematurely. Certain characteristics, which are evident upon admission, may help to identify those veterans at greater risk of early discharge and program failure. Spanning three years (20092011), the records of 680 unique clients from a homeless veterans program were reviewed. Logistic regression models yielded significant association between treatment completion, graduation, and certain observable client characteristics. Ultimately, information regarding a clients mental health, chronic health, and the clients immediate prior residence before admission to the Veteran Rehabilitation Center program proved to be significant independent predictors of premature discharge from treatment. From the significant covariates for the treatment model, a simple, scoring-scheme heuristic was developed to enable treatment providers to expeditiously and accurately assess relative risk of premature discharge among a cohort of veteran clients. Using demographic information from three simple questions, the scoring scheme has a 98.3% correlation to the theoretical probability of failure from treatment and gives providers a simple and accurate way to identify those at greater risk of early exit. These results can inform targeted intervention strategies to maximize program effectiveness and efficiency. They provide a decision support tool to help high-risk veterans remain engaged in treatment, attain treatment goals, graduate, and fully prepare them to reintegrate into a sober, self-sustaining lifestyle.
Type
Thesis
Description
Outstanding Thesis
Department
Operations Research
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined
in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the
public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States
Code, Section 105, is not copyrighted in the U.S.
Collections