Comment to SAMSHA Proposed Data Collection Method | October 29, 2024
Read the PublicationIn August 2024, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) proposed a new data collection tool, entitled the SAMHSA Unified Client-level Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT), designed to improve data consistency and incorporate new measures to capture the diversity of client experiences. SUPRT is intended to streamline current data collection methods into a multi-component SAMHSA Client-Level Performance Tool, providing insight into the breadth of SAMHSA-funded services delivered.
The Center on Addiction and Public Policy at Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute commends SAMHSA’s efforts to improve consistency and reduce burden for clients as well as grantees. To that end, the Center encourages the meaningful engagement of people with lived and living experiences throughout the design and implementation of this tool. Further, the Center recommends that SUPRT incorporate recovery-oriented measures, with guidance and leadership from SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery. Finally, equity must be woven throughout this tool, in collaboration with SAMHSA’s Office of Behavioral Health Equity.