title: The role of effective discharge planning in preventing homelessness.
abstract: Effective discharge planning can contribute significantly to preventing homelessness. As part of a larger continuum of care, this process can help people reach goals of stable housing, recovery, and increased quality of life in the community. Discharge planning identifies and organizes services a person with mental illness, substance abuse, and other vulnerabilities needs when leaving an institutional or custodial setting and returning to the community. A three-component model is presented, relating discharge planning to institutional assessment and treatment, and to community services. Service challenges, innovative programs (based on a state-by-state analysis), and recommendations for enhancing discharge planning also are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Human Interaction Research Institute, 5435 Balboa Boulevard, Suite 115, Encino, CA 91316, USA. hirila@aol.com
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Backer
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Garrett E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Moran
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010351:Patient Discharge