A systems design developmental model for programs of deinstitutionalization: marketing base for follow-up care

Devising plans to maintain individuals with a chronic mental disability in the community following a long-term hospitalization is a highly complex problem. One of the significant aspects of this problem is the availability of adequate living arrangements that promote individual growth and development, provide professional support and care, and elicit the concern of members in the community who will provide these living arrangements. Alternate living arrangements require social experimentation in efforts to ascertain and appraise which one(s) are most appropriate for any given community. This paper devises a method of sequential development of alternatives in which each arrangement is appraised as it emerges in the community in relation to cost, knowledge acquired and utilized, technology advanced, and other resources required. It was assumed that each living arrangement produces different results in development. It further assumes that each living arrangement learns in development to the best interest of the chronic mentally disabled. The result of this innovative systems design is that professionals can make decisions on placement based on knowledge, information, technology, and cost as it emerges in juxtaposition to the results such programs are having on those in need.