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Evaluation of family support services: changes in availability and accessibility
1Services Research Division, Michigan Department of Mental Health, Lansing 48913.
Mental Retardation
|December 1, 1991
Summary
New policy and funding increased family support services availability in Michigan. However, family wait times for these mental health services remained unchanged, indicating access challenges persist.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Mental Health Policy
Background:
- Family support services are crucial for mental health.
- Understanding the impact of policy changes on service delivery is essential.
- Previous research indicates variability in access to mental health services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of new policy and funding on family support services in Michigan.
- To evaluate changes in both the availability and accessibility of these services.
- To inform future mental health policy and funding decisions.
Main Methods:
- Survey of county mental health authorities in Michigan.
- Data collected before and after policy/funding implementation.
- Analysis focused on service availability and accessibility (wait times).
Main Results:
- Overall increase in the availability of family support services.
- No significant change in accessibility, as measured by family wait times.
- The study highlights a gap between increased service availability and actual access.
Conclusions:
- Policy and funding changes can enhance service availability.
- Improving accessibility requires addressing systemic barriers beyond funding.
- Further research is needed to optimize family support service delivery and access.