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Utilization of Public Sector Behavioral Health Systems and Jails Study
(Archived Project)
Investigator (PI): Morrissey, Joseph P
Performing Organization (PO): (Current): University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
Supporting Agency (SA): John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Initial Year: 1999
Final Year: 2001
Record Source/Award ID: HSR/0
Award Type: Grant
Abstract: Users of both the public sector behavioral health and criminal justice systems present special problems for service system coordinators across the country. Detainees with behavioral health service needs present management and financial burdens to criminal justice systems, and are thought to suffer from poor clinical care, victimization by fellow inmates, and unjust treatment by social service systems. Poorly managed transitions from jail to community based treatment may contribute to avoidable symptom relapse for people with behavioral health needs that could lead to further criminal justice involvement or expensive hospitalizations. Further, cost controls are being implemented in the public sector treatment system, which may or may not exacerbate these coordination and access to care problems. However, neither the prevalence of these problems, nor managed care's effects on users of both behavioral health and criminal justice systems, are known. The purpose of the study is to explore utilization and cost patterns of people with behavioral health treatment needs using jails, and behavioral health treatment funded by the state, county, and Medicaid. We will explore utilization and cost patterns of people with behavioral health treatment needs using jails and behavioral health treatment funded by the state, county, and Medicaid in King County, WA. This study has two primary goals: To understand the service needs and experiences of people utilizing multiple systems of care-specifically the mental health, substance abuse, and criminal justice systems. To determine if these utilization and intake patterns have changed in response to King County's implementation of managed outpatient mental health care in April 1995. This study is based on an analysis of existing electronic records. We are obtaining data from several local agencies to link treatment records for a variety of behavioral health and jail datasets to compile complete histories of behavioral health services and jail time for a group of King County residents from July 1, 1993 to December 31, 1998. The richness of this data set will allow for findings of interest to both local and national behavioral health and criminal justice policy makers.
MeSH Terms:
  • Health Care Costs /statistics & numerical data
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Managed Care Programs
  • Medicaid
  • Mental Disorders /economics
  • /*therapy
  • Mental Health Services /economics
  • Outpatients
  • * Prisoners
  • Public Sector
  • Washington
Keywords:
  • research support, non-U.S. Gov't
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Zip Code: 27599
UI: 20010092
Project Status: Archived