Case management and social role theory as partners in service delivery

This article proposes a reorganized model of case management for persons with a serious psychiatric illness, including a substance abuse disorder. The model was designed as a response to the changing demands of federal laws public funding sources, and social work licensure requirements in some states. It partners case management with social role theory and uses the person-in-situation paradigm and social functioning as organizing concepts. This model may be helpful for those adult mental health agencies serving this population who are faced with making adjustments to changing demands of federal law, public funding sources, and the requirements of social work licensure in some states, all of which place restrictions on service delivery. An important feature of the model is partnering case management with social role theory in a way that enhances the delivery of case management services. It is being implemented at Touchstone innovaré, a mental health agency serving adults who have a serious psychiatric condition or a co-occurring disorder.