A new report by the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) at the University of Minnesota shows that social, emotional and behavioral health services provided by Washburn Center for Children have a significant impact on children’s well-being and quality of life.

The report, titled “Outcomes of Children Receiving Mental Health Services from Washburn Center for Children,” focuses on changes in children’s mental health symptoms, behavior and functioning in key areas of life resulting from treatment at Washburn Center for Children, a leading provider of children’s mental health services in the state. CASCW researchers connected data from Washburn Center to other data through the Minnesota Linking Information for Kids (Minn-LInK) project to understand children’s functioning and behavior across multiple systems.

CASCW’s report found that “Washburn Center is incredibly important and has a significant impact on the well-being of children in Minnesota.” The research notes:

  • The social, emotional and behavioral functioning of children served at Washburn Center improved in clinically meaningful ways over the course of treatment, based on caregiver reports. The amount of progress made was consistent across race/ethnicity, gender and age.
  • Children’s improvements were better than expected after receiving mental health services at Washburn Center, compared to typical progress reported for similar services.
  • Children who completed treatment at Washburn Center scored significantly higher on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments than children served by Washburn Center who did not complete their treatment.

“Through its partnership with CASCW, Washburn Center informed children’s mental health treatment and service delivery for future use by practitioners,” said Dr. Traci L. LaLiberte, Executive Director at CASCW. “In this way, Washburn Center may serve as a model for children’s mental health centers and use this information to support improvements in policy and practice in the state of Minnesota.”

“This third-party evaluation validates what Washburn Center for Children has long believed: the impact of early mental health intervention is critical in improving children’s lives,” said Matthew Witham, LMFT, co-director of the United Health Foundation Training Institute at Washburn Center for Children.

This research partnership is made possible through the United Health Foundation Training Institute at Washburn Center for Children (http://www.washburntraininginstitute.org), which provides introductory and advanced training to children’s mental health clinicians, interns and professionals in related fields such as education, pediatrics, health care, child welfare and childcare.

In partnership with United Health Foundation, Washburn Center for Children launched an innovative, children’s mental health training program to enhance the emotional health of children and families; increased training opportunities for professionals working with children across the nation; and developed a nationally recognized training site for children’s mental health interns.

Read the full CASCW report here.

About Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare
The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), established in 1992, is an internationally known research and training center in the field of child welfare. CASCW brings the University of Minnesota together with county, tribal, state and community social services in a partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and families involved with public child welfare. More specifically the research and training activities carried out at CASCW are designed to improve the well-being of children and families who are involved in the child welfare system by: educating human service professionals, fostering collaboration across systems and disciplines, informing policy makers and the public, and expanding the child welfare knowledge base.

About United Health Foundation
Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health Foundation has committed more than $285 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org or follow @UHGGives on Twitter or Facebook.com/UHGGives.

About Washburn Center for Children
With more than 133 years of experience in assisting high-risk children in the Twin Cities area, Washburn Center for Children is the state’s leader in helping children with social, emotional and behavioral problems and their families. As a community mental health center focused on children’s mental health, Washburn Center provides therapeutic services to children from birth to age 18. In 2015, Washburn Center for Children served more than 2,800 children and approximately 8,500 family members of all races and incomes.

Washburn Center’s three office locations – Brooklyn Park, Minnetonka and Minneapolis – serve the entire Twin Cities metro area. The nonprofit also offers in-home services, and its school-based services serves the Eden Prairie, Bloomington and Minneapolis school districts. Washburn.org

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