NCJ Number
50266
Journal
EVALUATION Volume: 3 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1976) Pages: 98-105
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
PRAGMATIC RESPONSES TO THE PROBLEMS OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER (CMHC) MANAGEMENT IN TAMPA, FLA., ARE THE FOCUS OF PROGRAM EVALUATION AND CENTERWIDE RESEARCH.
Abstract
RESEARCH AND EVALUATION AT THE HILLSBOROUGH CMHC ARE VIEWED AS TOOLS FOR OBTAINING GREATER EFFICIENCY IN CENTER PROGRAMS. THE CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORTS TO A SELF-PERPETUATING GOVERNING BOARD REPRESENTING 35 TO 40 PERSONS FROM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. BASIC TO ALL PROGRAM EVALUATION SYSTEMS ARE THE TASKS OF DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING, AND AT THE HILLSBOROUGH CMHC THE PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT FOR PATIENT DEMOGRAPHIC DATA IS THE PATIENT INTAKE FORM. A MONTHLY REPORT ON THE DELIVERY OF PATIENT SERVICES IS PROVIDED TO CENTER STAFF, THE CENTER'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE TAMPA AREA MENTAL HEALTH BOARD, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS. THIS REPORT INCLUDES DATA ON ADMISSIONS, DISCHARGES, AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY, PATIENTS SERVED, AND OTHER RELEVANT VARIABLES FOR EACH SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE CENTER. EVALUATIONS VARY FROM PROGRAM TO PROGRAM. BY DESIGN, NO PROGRAM MEASURES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST. A COMPOSITE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DEVISED FOR USE WITH COMMUNITY REFERRALS TO THE CENTER. THE QUESTIONNAIRE COLLECTS INFORMATION ON SOCIAL SUPPORT, ECONOMIC SUPPORT, PHYSICAL HEALTH, INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, AND MENTAL HEALTH. RESEARCH STUDIES CONDUCTED BY THE CMHC ARE NOTED, AND A SAMPLE GOAL TREATMENT PLAN FORM IS INCLUDED. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND THE BUILDING OF AN EVALUATION APPROACH ARE ADDRESSED. ADMINISTRATIVE AND DELIVERY EFFECTS OF SERVICE INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES ARE EXPLORED. (DEP)