Clubhouse costs and implications for policy analysis in the context of system transformation initiatives

Documenting service costs is important for psychiatric rehabilitation programs to make persuasive arguments to policymakers/funders about their role in system transformation efforts. The purpose of this study was to report program costs, annual costs per member, and costs per day over three years (2003-2006) for 29 clubhouses that are part of the Pennsylvania Clubhouse Coalition (PCC).

This study utilized data elements that are submitted annually by coalition members to the Pennsylvania Clubhouse Coalition.

Our results indicate that clubhouses play a substantial role in the Pennsylvania mental health system, providing almost 180,000 units of contact to more than 2,400 people across the state.

Most relevant to Pennsylvania's system transformation is our finding that clubhouse costs are substantially lower than the costs of partial hospital services. Clubhouses are likely serving an important role in lowering costs associated with supporting those who would otherwise utilize partial hospital programs.