Retraining hospital staff for work in community programs in California

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services
• Community Psychiatry Training
• Public Health Workforce Development

Background:

• California's 1972 initiative to close state hospitals.
• Need for retraining state hospital employees for community roles.
• Establishment of training courses by Centers for Training in Community Psychiatry.

Purpose of the Study:

• Describe the development, implementation, and structure of a Los Angeles-based retraining course.
• Analyze participant outcomes regarding community mental health employment.
• Identify factors influencing career choices post-retraining.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of a 1972 retraining program.
• Description of course content and structure.
• Survey/analysis of participant employment decisions.

Main Results:

• Participants found the retraining course valuable.
• Majority of participants returned to state hospital roles, not community mental health centers.
• Those accepting community jobs were younger, more educated, with less state hospital experience.

Conclusions:

• Retraining efforts were perceived positively but did not fully shift workforce to community settings.
• Demographic and experience factors influenced career path choices.
• Challenges existed in transitioning state hospital staff to community-based mental health services.