What factors were taken into consideration in developing the reporting specifications for TEDS?

TEDS reflects SAMHSA’s interest in increasing correspondence to the behavioral health model within the healthcare reform. Several factors were taken into consideration in developing reporting specifications, such as measures and categories that continue to be important for SAMHSA, appropriate reporting of outcomes for substance use consumers, and state comments on the feasibility and burden of reporting specific data elements. SAMHSA considered the reporting burden on states by limiting the required data elements to only the essential information for National Outcome Measures (NOMs) reporting. SAMHSA’s NOMs serve as performance targets for states and federally funded programs for substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion, early intervention, and treatment services.