Implementation of case management for batterer program participants

Among the recommendations for improving batterer counseling is additional services for African American men, which might be obtained through case management that includes individual intake screening, service identification, service contact review, and follow-up calls. A formative evaluation of a case management project was conducted through direct observations of procedures, semistructured interviews with staff, and tabulation of referrals (N = 202). The men's impressions and recommendations were collected through subsample phone interviews ( n = 72). Most men were referred for job or financial assistance, and few were referred for substance abuse or mental health problems. Barely half of referred men were contacted in the supportive case management phone calls. The average number of referrals per man increased over time, as did referral contacts. Interviews suggest, however, that the referral system had little impact. The case management was not implemented as designed primarily because of time constraints during intake and staff shortcomings. A fuller implementation would cost much more in terms of staffing, supervision, and administration.