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The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) is designed for welfare recipient screening in welfare-to-work programs. The SAI identifies barriers to employment. The SAI measures substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse, motivation to work, work attitudes and stress coping abilities.

Many welfare recipients don’t have to deal with barriers to employment. However, to identify the recipients that are experiencing alcohol or drug problems, negative work attitudes, motivational issues or are overwhelmed by stress-related emotional problems, we need to screen all program participants. Then, the people with "problems" can be referred in a timely manner for help. In addition to identifying recipients needing help, the SAI-generated information can help provide continuity among involved agencies, such as counseling, rehabilitative and treatment service providers.

A truly unique feature. The Truthfulness Scale establishes how truthful the welfare recipient was while completing the SAI. Some welfare recipients are initially defensive to personal inquiry and tests. It’s important to know that the recipient was cooperative and truthful while completing the SAI.

1. Truthfulness Scale: Identifies guarded and defensive recipients that are attempting to minimize their problems and concerns.
    
2. Alcohol Scale: Measures alcohol use and abuse. Alcohol refers to beer, wine and other liquors, which are licit substances.
    
3. Drugs Scale: Measures "other drug use" like marijuana, crack, cocaine, LSD, amphetamines, barbiturates, ecstasy and heroin.
    
4. Work Index Scale: Identifies cloaked issues (value of work, expenses, family responsibilities, people problems, baby sitting concerns, transportation problems, money problems, etc.).
    
5. Stress Coping Abilities Scale: Measures a person’s ability to handle stress, pressure and tension. Aside from substance abuse, stress is a common relapse trigger.

How does the SAI system work? SAI tests are usually administered via paper-pencil test booklets and answer sheets. The SAI contains 103 items that can be answered in 20 to 25 minutes. Answer sheets are then computer- scored with reports printed on-site within 2½ minutes. SAI’s can be given individually or in group settings. These reports eliminate tedious, time consuming and error prone hand scoring. And, staff report writing, substantiation of decision making and record keeping needs are met with SAI reports.

• Establishes recipient test-related truthfulness
   

• Demonstrated reliability, validity and accuracy
   

• Standardized (everybody takes the same test)
   

• Sound basis for welfare-to-work decisions
   

• Designed for welfare-recipient screening
   

• Five important measures or scales
   

• Timely: 20 to 25 minutes for test completion
   

• Computer scoring and reports in 2½ minutes
   

• Affordable! Volume discounts available

To review Self-Assessment Index (SAI) cost, click on the SAI Test Unit Fee link. This link is also presented at the end of this webpage.

The "Delete Client Names" feature is noteworthy because it protects recipient confidentiality. When all tests on a diskette (25 or 50) have been used and before returning it to Risk & Needs Assessment, Inc. (Risk & Needs), staff can eliminate recipient names with a few keystrokes. This insures client confidentiality. The demographics and test data are downloaded into the SAI database for subsequent research analysis and testing program summary, which are included at no additional cost. Annual test program summary reports are free.

The Self-Assessment Index (SAI) is one of the few, if not only, tests designed specifically for welfare-recipient screening. If you’re looking for an objective, standardized welfare-to-work assessment instrument that has demonstrated reliability, validity and accuracy, we suggest you consider the SAI.

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