Services for clients of community support programs in rural Wisconsin

To improve understanding of services provided or coordinated by rural community support programs (CSPs) for people with severe mental illness, this article identifies services most used by clients and the amounts of services used. Data on publicly funded services for more than 900 clients in 13 rural CSPs in a midwestern state have been analyzed. Virtually all clients were Caucasian. Information about types and amounts of client services for 12 consecutive months was obtained from county information systems, local records, and Medicaid claims. Most CSP clients use case management, community support, medication checks, counseling, and medication counseling services. Much smaller percentages use other outpatient, residential, vocational, and inpatient services. Significant amounts of only two services, case management and community support, are reported. The findings emphasize the ability of rural mental health providers to supply general services, but some limitation in provision of specialized services and facilities.