Many unemployed people want to work but have personal, social and attitudinal problems that have become barriers to employment. This is particularly applicable to unemployed individuals that deny, minimize and may even try to conceal their personal problems from others. Before anyone can adequately correct or engage in remedial treatment they and their helpers must understand what the problem or problems are. Only then can people engage in effective problem-solving programs.

Prior to problem awareness, employment readiness and employment per se usually involved trial and error. A much more effective technique uses a self-report test that is focused on specific issues like client truthfulness when screened, substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse, work attitudes and motivation, and how well the client handles stress and pressure. The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) meets these needs.

There are two versions of the Self-Assessment Index (SAI): 1. Self-Assessment Index (SAI) for welfare recipient screening in welfare-to work programs. And 2. Self-Assessment Index-C (SAI-c) for use in employment and work programs that want the term client used instead of welfare recipient. Both versions of these tests are discussed on Behavior Data Systems (BDS) website www.bdsltd.com. On this website the Self-Assessment Index (SAI) is discussed.

The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) is designed for welfare recipient screening in welfare-to-work programs. The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) identifies and measures the severity of problems (if present) with regard to the truthfulness or openness of the client while being screened, substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse, work-related attitude and motivation, and stress (pressure) handling abilities.

Why develop the Self-Assessment Index? Job training, placement and employment success often depend upon helping welfare-recipients overcome barriers to employment. The most effective welfare-to-work programs identify barriers to employment early so staff can help participants overcome these obstacles. The SAI was specifically designed to meet these needs-early identification of barriers-to-employment so that staff can refer needy individuals to appropriate intervention, counseling and remediation programs available in their community.

To be effective staff must know the "severity" of the client’s (recipient’s) problem(s). Severity of client problems is established by Self-Assessment Index (SAI) five (5) scales (measures). Staff can then match problem severity with treatment intensity. Most experienced assessors understand that matching problem severity to treatment program intensity is very important for intervention, counseling and treatment success.

1. Truthfulness Scale: measures how truthful the client (welfare recipient) was while completing the Self-Assessment Index (SAI). This scale identifies and measures the severity of denial, guardedness, problem minimization and attempts to "fake good." Many new welfare recipients are skeptical and distrustful or suspicious when asked to provide personal information. Despite staff attempts to allay these concerns, some welfare recipients continue to deny and minimize their problems. And that is where the Truthfulness Scale is important. The Truthfulness Scale score reveals when the clients, Self-Assessment Index (SAI) scores are accurate or distorted by the client’s denial, defensiveness, attempts to minimize their problems, etc. It is important that staff is confident that the test data is accurate because it will influence their recommendations.

2. Alcohol Scale: measures the severity of alcohol use and abuse. Alcohol refers to beer, wine and other liquor. Alcohol use is frequently associated with vocational rehabilitation dropouts and sustained employment failures. When alcohol problems are present and not addressed (e.g., Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, group counseling, intensive outpatient treatment or inpatient treatment) the client’s drinking problem usually becomes worse.

3. Drugs Scale: measures "other drugs" use and abuse. Drugs refers to marijuana, crack, ice cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, ecstasy, heroin, etc. The Drug Scale measures the severity of illicit drug use or abuse. Drug abuse screening is important because drug use is increasingly associated with vocational rehabilitation and sustained employment failure. The Drug Scale identifies illicit drug use and when present measures the severity of abuse. This enables staff to match drug problem severity with treatment (educational classes, NA and CA meetings, group counseling, intensive outpatient treatment or outpatient treatment) intensity.

Inclusion of both the Alcohol Scale and Drugs Scale helps identification of a client’s substance of choice as well as polysubstance abuse. Most experienced staff would agree that substance (alcohol and/or other drugs) abuse is often a barrier to welfare recipient programs drop-outs, obstacles to obtaining employment and barriers to sustained employment.

4. Work Index Scale: measures attitude and motivational factors that influence welfare recipient program success, obtaining a job and sustained employment. Attitudes are shaped over years and are a complex product of experience and learning. They include enduring preferences, aversions, beliefs and prejudices. Attitudes influence welfare recipients’ decisions and behavior. Many attitudes such as how the welfare recipient perceives the value of working, work-related expenses (clothes, transportation, etc.), family support (or lack of it) and child care responsibilities, etc. influence the success of many welfare-to-work programs and recipient’s subsequent success. The Work Index Scale helps staff better understand the client’s attitudes and motivation. With this awareness staff can now help resolve many of these realistic and practical issues. Many of these motivational factors may seem trivial, but when taken together they are important factors that influence welfare-to-work recipient’s success. An elevated Work Index Scale score is indicative of serious problems.

5. Stress Coping Abilities Scale: measures how effectively the client handles stress (pressure, anxiety). Aside from alcohol and drugs a common relapse trigger is stress - or more specifically, how the individual copes with stress. It is now known that stress, if not handled properly, exacerbates symptoms of mental and emotional problems. Thus with a very high (severe) Stress Coping Abilities Scale score (at the 90th percentile or above), it is likely that the client manifests an identifiable mental health problem. In these instances referral to a certified/licensed mental health professional might be considered.

These navigational Links connect with topic pages in the BDSLTD.com website
Self-Assessment Index Description	Cost
Five Scales (Measures)	HIPAA Compliant & ASAM Compatible
Advantages of Screening	www.online-testing.com
Reliability and Validity	Annual "Summary" Report
Four Ways to Administer the Test	Example Report
Alternative for Reading Impaired Assessment	Scale Interpretation

Why use the Self-Assessment Index? The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) is an objective welfare recipient screening instrument or test with impressive reliability and validity. This testing procedure is fair and avoids extremes, i.e., over-identification or under-identification of barriers (problems) to employment. Indeed, more welfare recipients will receive needed help. Without a screening program there is usually more risk of over or under utilization of additional professional services.

The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) is a welfare recipient (client) test for use in welfare-to-work programs. The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) identifies barriers (problems) to employment. Simultaneously the SAI measures problem severity. This enables staff to match problem severity and treatment program intensity which facilitates quicker and more effective treatment. This is particularly important in welfare-to-work programs like TANF that must get welfare recipients gainfully employed within two (2) years.

The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) "SAI: Manual" explains the SAI and how it works. To review this document click on this SAI Manual link.

A link to the discussion on "Reading Impairment testing" explains Behavior Data Systems (BDS) proprietary alternative for reading impaired assessment. Some estimate that 20+ percent of welfare recipients have reading problems. BDS’s Human Voice Audio program is available in English and Spanish. To date it has resolved many welfare recipient’s reading and cultural differences issues. A welfare recipient’s passive vocabulary (what they hear and understand) is often greater than their active (spoken) vocabulary. And hearing items read aloud often helps reduce cultural and communication problems. Human Voice Audio requires a computer, earphones and simple instructions regarding how to operate the up-down arrow keys on the computer keyboard. Without this "Human Voice Audio" option welfare-to-work programs could be limited.

Staff Training assistance is offered by BDS staff to departments, programs and statewide agencies (U.S.) that are using (or going to use) the Self-Assessment Index. Sometimes smaller agencies or departments coordinate a joint Self-Assessment Index (SAI) training session. BDS prefers that these training sessions incorporate a minimum of 25 attendees.

Free Examination Kits. A one-test demonstration diskette is available on a 30 day cost free basis. Demo diskettes are provided in windows format. A one time windows setup procedure is required. BDS asks that the demonstration diskette and test booklet are returned within 30 days.

Interested in more testing websites? If so, click on this Testing Websites link.

Behavior Data Systems welcomes screeners, assessors and evaluators input. Our telephone number is (602) 234-3506, our fax number is (602) 266-8227 and our e-mail address is skarca@bdsltd.com. You're also invited to visit our website www.bdsltd.com.