The hostel outreach program: assertive case management for homeless mentally ill persons.
OBJECTIVE
This study measured the impact of an assertive case management program for psychiatrically disabled homeless persons in metropolitan Toronto. It was hypothesized that the program would improve residential stability, reduce psychiatric symptoms, improve social functioning, improve social networks, and increase use of appropriate services.


METHODS
For 59 clients admitted to the program, assessments for the nine-month period before program entry were completed and were repeated nine months later. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and a version of the Scale for Level of Functioning were the main measures of outcome.


RESULTS
At follow-up significant improvements in residential stability and reductions in psychopathology were demonstrated. Improvements in social functioning and increases in social network size were significant. Although no baseline data about service use were collected, clients used basic support services during their first nine months in the program.


CONCLUSIONS
The success of the program demonstrates that a difficult-to-treat patient population can be helped in a humane fashion if trained personnel are available.
Wasylenki
D A
DA
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Goering
P N
PN
Lemire
D
D
Lindsey
S
S
Lancee
W
W
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011638:Public Housing; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population