Representatives from the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences presented their work on Nov. 14 at the American Evaluation Association’s Annual Conference in Kansas City.
Presenters included:
- Anna Davidson Abella, PhD, assistant research professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies
- Annette Christy, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice and director of the Baker Act Reporting Center
- Jordyn Lord, program planner/analyst with the Baker Act Reporting Center
- Lillian Deaton, program planner/analyst with the Baker Act Reporting Center
- James-Angelo Suarez, doctoral candidate in the Behavioral and Community Sciences program and graduate
research assistant
Anna Davidson Abella, Annette Christy, Jordyn Lord, Lillian Deaton, and James-Angelo Suarez.
Their presentation, "The Importance of State-Required Data Reporting for Improving Outcomes of Minors with Repeated Involuntary Mental Health Examinations," shared findings from a qualitative evaluation examining why some children and teens experience repeated Baker Act examinations. The team conducted interviews with staff at receiving facilities to better understand patterns behind multiple involuntary examinations of minors.
Over a three-year period, 55,840 minors underwent 95,598 involuntary examinations, with nearly one in four experiencing six or more. Interview findings pointed to several contributing factors, including limited caregiver awareness of services and resources, training and policy gaps for professionals initiating examinations, barriers to accessing follow-up care, and misuse of involuntary examination procedures.
The evaluation highlights the importance of coordinated efforts across systems to address the root causes of repeated involuntary examinations. The team emphasized how statutory data-reporting requirements can strengthen program evaluation, support informed decision-making, and help system leaders take actionable steps to improve outcomes for minors.