Community mental health centers: Movement away from the model?

Abstract

What happens to community mental health centers when federal funding declines and then ends? Analysis of service utilization patterns over a five year period for a cohort of “graduate” community mental health centers indicates two distinct patterns. One group appeared to assure their fiscal viability by maximizing the traditional inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services while cutting back less lucrative services, such as consultation and education, home visits, and partial hospitalization. The other group maintained a balanced mix of all the services, but apparently did so at some risk to their financial status. Implications for the future of community based mental health care are discussed.