Turn consumer experience data into clearer insight, stronger reporting, and better behavioral health systems.
State behavioral health agencies need reliable, accessible, and actionable consumer experience data to meet federal reporting requirements and improve the systems people depend on. MDR helps states administer Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program (MHSIP) and SAMHSA-aligned consumer experience surveys with the technical rigor, field experience, and reporting expertise needed to produce high-quality data agencies can trust.
Since 2017, MDR has administered required MHSIP surveys for several states and supported agencies with research protocols, survey implementation, analysis, reporting, and federal reporting requirements through the Universal Reporting System. Our experience includes work with Maine, Oregon, and Wyoming, as well as broader patient and consumer experience survey work for clients across the country.
A trusted partner for SAMHSA-aligned consumer experience reporting
MHSIP surveys are more than a reporting requirement. They are an opportunity to understand how consumers experience care, identify strengths and service gaps, and support quality improvement across behavioral health systems.
MDR provides a turnkey approach that helps states meet SAMHSA consumer experience reporting needs while reducing administrative burden, improving response rates, and delivering consistent, high-quality data. We work with agencies to design, administer, analyze, and report surveys in ways that are technically sound, accessible, and useful to behavioral health leaders, program staff, external partners, and the communities they serve.
Why states choose MDR for MHSIP surveys
MHSIP and behavioral health survey experience
MDR has administered MHSIP surveys for multiple states and has direct experience with adult consumer, youth, family, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment survey populations.
Built for federal reporting and quality improvement
Our work helps states meet federal reporting requirements while also producing data that can inform quality improvement, strategic planning, and service delivery decisions.
Multi-mode data collection, managed in-house
MDR can support telephone, online, mail, and qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews and focus groups. Our most frequently used approach pairs web and telephone survey instruments, with accommodations for people with disabilities through mechanisms such as relay services or proxy completion.
Accessible, inclusive, and responsive survey design
MDR’s approach is grounded in Universal Design principles and supports survey processes that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to diverse consumer needs.
Actionable reporting, not just data delivery
MDR provides analysis and reporting designed to be accurate, precise, and useful to behavioral health departments, staff, external agencies, organizations, and individuals.
What MDR can support
MDR can help state agencies and behavioral health organizations with every stage of MHSIP and SAMHSA-aligned consumer experience survey work.
Survey planning and design
We help agencies define survey populations, align survey design with reporting needs, and enhance instruments to capture more detailed information about consumer experiences, service needs, and quality improvement opportunities.
Sampling strategy
MDR supports sampling approaches that can vary by cohort, including adult consumers, youth and family populations, case status, region, and type of services received.
Data collection
MDR offers flexible data collection options, including telephone surveys, online surveys, mail surveys, and qualitative research. Our use of the Voxco multi-mode survey platform supports complex survey items, multiple question types, imported data for survey logic, and tracking of contact outcomes.
Analysis and reporting
MDR develops comprehensive research reports that include trending analysis and clear findings to support federal reporting, quality improvement, and planning. Our reporting processes are designed to reveal actions that can be taken, measures to improve performance, and areas of strength.
Survey enhancement and customization
MDR collaborates with agencies to enhance their surveys beyond core MHSIP items, helping collect more detailed information on priority concerns and emerging service needs.
Designed for the people who manage this work
Across states, consumer experience survey work is often managed by quality management, performance improvement, data, research, evaluation, or federal reporting teams rather than procurement or communications offices. MDR understands the needs of these functional owners and supports the practical realities of survey implementation, vendor management, reporting deadlines, and stakeholder communication.
Whether your agency currently administers surveys internally, works with an external vendor, or is looking to modernize a fragmented process, MDR can help create a more consistent, efficient, and actionable approach.
Our MHSIP Experts
| Brian Robertson, PhD | |
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Brian provides overall technical leadership for Market Decisions Research projects, including research and survey design, sampling methodologies, data collection methods and analysis. Brian has been involved in MHSIP projects since 2017 and continues to lead all MDR’s MHSIP projects. |
| Contact Brian |
| Candace Walsh, MA | |
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Candace came to MDR with years of experience in mental health and disability insurance. Since 2019 when Candace joined MDR, she has worked on our many MHSIP projects. Candace specializes in behavioral health, vocational rehabilitation, and health insurance research, including leading all MHSIP projects. |
| Contact Candace |