Development and evaluation of drop-in centers operated by mental health consumers.
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.
Kaufmann
C L
CL
Western Psychiatric Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213.
Ward-Colasante
C
C
Farmer
J
J
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003255:Consumer Organizations; D005380:Financing, Government; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010414:Pennsylvania; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*