Our Impact
Ongoing evaluation and outcome analysis are built in to Pine River Institute’s (PRI) vision and mission, and we are leaders in this area. In addition to process evaluation (inquiry, admissions, and program engagement), client-centred outcome evaluation is central to the Pine River program. Using both qualitative and quantitative measures, we gather data at several critical points throughout the program, starting from the initial inquiry and continuing for several years post-program. The data collected from PRI families allow us to understand the health and behaviour of youths and their families before and after Pine River, including quality of life, functionality, and substance use information.
Student Engagement
Treatment completion is known to foster healthy outcomes. Here are our known percentage of youth completed the programs over the past years.
Since Pine river opened in 2006, hundreds of youth have rediscovered lives beyond addictive behaviours, forging paths to brighter, healthier, hopeful futures. pine river works!
BEFORE PRI
AFTER PRI
Collaboration & Best Practices
Knowledge Sharing
PRI is committed to making a meaningful contribution to best practices knowledge with regard to helping adolescents and families deal effectively with mental health and addiction issues.
We work in collaboration with major organizations (York University, SickKids Hospital, National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, Ontario Centre of Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health) to continually evaluate what we do and how our students are doing, and ensure we are providing the best possible care to youth and their families.
We are members of the Research Consortium for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), and serve on their Ethics and Research Boards, as well as the Public Relations Committee.
We are partnering with the University of New Hampshire to explore health and behaviour outcomes for troubled youth who seek treatment.
PRI is leading a province-wide project to develop and implement evaluation in youth addiction agencies. On behalf of 12 collaborative agencies, we secured initial support from the Ontario Centre of Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health and from Addictions and Mental Health Ontario. We also received a grant of $327,500 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and $210,262 from Health Canada’s Drug Treatment Funding Program to support this collaborative initiative, Evaluation Plan for Youth Care (EPYC).
We work with a variety of research partners to explore issues related to adolescent development and treatment approaches that are particularly effective with youth and their families. We are proud to be associated with Dr. Debra Pepler, Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at York University & Senior Adjunct Scientist at SickKids Hospital. Dr. Pepler is our Senior Research Advisor and has nurtured our growth in research-related projects since our early days.
We strive to share our learnings through publications and presentations across Canada and with stakeholders including parents, staff, funders, and Board members.
Publications
The Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (JTSP) is primarily a forum of exchange on issues of theory, research, and practice aimed at clinicians, administrators and educational consultants active in residential treatment and wilderness programs in the U.S.
Pine River is a member of the Research Consortium for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), and we serve on their Ethics and Research Boards.
Articles authored by Pine River staff appearing in this journal by category:
