The Rochester Regional Forensic Unit: an innovative management approach to improving the continuum of care for...

The Rochester Regional Forensic Unit is a good example of how a highly specialized, high-risk, complex, and expensive service can be provided in an acceptable, safe manner to a specific geographic region so as to reduce the dollar costs of such a service to all involved. The success of the program during its first 27 months is attributed to an effective planning and management process designed and implemented by staff from the Office of Mental Health Bureau of Forensic Services and hospital and unit administrators. This process identified specific security, treatment and continuity of care objectives for special attention and provided for implementation of a system to manager these concerns on a daily basis. A survey of county mental health and criminal justice officials whose counties receive services from the program indicated that for the most part continuity of case needs, which include speedy problem identification and referrals as well as follow-up and aftercare, are being met in a highly satisfactory manner. Furthermore, problems identified through the consumer satisfaction survey process are being used to enhance services, communications and training provided by the unit to the local law enforcement and mental health providers. Others concerned with the development of programs for civil forensic populations are encouraged to consider some of the approaches taken as cost effective and beneficial ways to better serve public need within limited public dollars. Most important is the fact that human technology now exists which can make the successful management and administration of community-oriented forensic programs as successful as any other community mental health concept.