1. Development and evaluation of drop-in centers operated by mental health consumers.
- Author
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Kaufmann CL, Ward-Colasante C, and Farmer J
- Subjects
- Ambulatory Care economics, Ambulatory Care organization & administration, Ambulatory Care standards, Community Mental Health Centers economics, Community Mental Health Centers standards, Financing, Government, Humans, Mental Disorders economics, Mental Disorders psychology, Patient Care Team economics, Patient Care Team organization & administration, Patient Satisfaction, Pennsylvania, Program Evaluation, Public Health Administration, Self-Help Groups economics, Community Mental Health Centers organization & administration, Consumer Organizations, Mental Disorders rehabilitation, Self-Help Groups organization & administration
- Abstract
As part of a statewide initiative begun in 1989 to promote consumer involvement, the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health initially funded the development of nine consumer-operated drop-in centers. This paper describes some of the programs and services developed by the centers and presents results of a survey of consumers' use of and satisfaction with services. During the six-month survey period, a total of 478 consumers used services; average daily attendance at each center was 28. Most centers had one paid position supplemented by heavy use of volunteers. Most projects had collaborative relationships with a few providers who maintained a low profile in daily operations. Although consumers were highly satisfied with the drop-in centers, they desired improvements in the number of paid staff, hours of operation, management, and transportation.
- Published
- 1993
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