Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
4-5-2012
Abstract
This study is the first ever initiative to merge administrative data base in Massachusetts to evaluate an important public mental health program. It examines post-incarceration outcome of adults with serious mental illness (SMI) enrolled in the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) Forensic Transition Team (FTT) program. The Program began in 1998 with the goal of transitioning offenders with SMI released from state and local correctional facilities utilizing a core set of transition activities. In this study we evaluate the program's effectiveness using merged administrative data from various state agencies for the years 2007 - 2011, comparing FTT clients to released prisoners who, despite having serious mental health disorders, did not meet the criterion for DMH services. By systematically describing our original study design and the barriers we encountered, this report will inform future efforts to evaluate public programs using merged administrative databases and electronic health records.
Recommended Citation
Hartwell, Stephanie, "Evaluating Effectiveness of a Public Mental Health Re-entry Program: Strategic Statewide Partnerships" (2012). Office of Community Partnerships Posters. 5.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/ocp_posters/5
Included in
Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Public Health Commons
Comments
Presented as part of the poster showcase at the Office of Community Partnerships' Community-Engaged Partnerships Symposium on April 5, 2012 at UMass Boston.