Community support for the psychiatrically disabled: a state perspective

The National Institute of Mental Health initiated the community support systems program in 1977 to improve services to the mentally disabled living in the community as a result of the deinstitutionalization movement. Georgia was one of several states to receive a contract for a community support implementation project. The project has focused on helping local, regional, and state personnel reorder their priorities and policies in program planning and implementation, documenting the extent and severity of the need for services, and building a foundation for community support systems among citizens' groups and direct service agencies. Specific project activities during the first and second years are described.