Describes the Connecticut Unit of Service System, a unified system for quantifying services and service delivery that is administratively useful in monitoring and allocating resources. Includes a Relative Value Scale which incorporates staff time and related work to allow a comparison of inpatient and outpatient service. (JAC)

Illustrates some of the principles of consultation, describing a year-long consultation to a department of psychiatry under new leadership. The aspects of consultation described include: (1) the consultation request; (2) the orientation of consultant and consultee; (3) the consultation contract; and (4) the consultation process. (Author)

The Special Care Program represents a new community placement option for mentally retarded children. In contrast to traditional models of foster care, it involves a comprehensive five-step system designed to maximize effective care delivery. This article describes the method developed for determining fee schedules and reimbursement rates for…

Describes and evaluates a model for agency-based staff development training for a county mental health unit. Concludes it can be a useful way to identify and resolve problems. (Author/MCF)

Discussed the State of Colorado's introduction of performance contracting into its relationships with community mental health centers. Describes the nature of the contract and its implementation. Particular emphasis is placed on the implications of the contract for program evaluation. (Author)

Accurate assessment of the client's ability to pay is the cornerstone to fee collections in any service organization. York County Counseling Services implemented a new method of fee assessment and collection based on the principles of providing a service worth paying for, accurate assessment of ability to pay, and a budget-payment system. (Author)

Describes a process that measures the varying performance of county mental health systems in achieving goals. Performance and relative need are then used to make differential allocation of state funds for services. The process reinforces attempts to meet goals, and has lowered the gap in per capita funding. (Author/JAC)

Reports the implementation of a quality assurance program in Colorado mental health facilities, designed to help managers know how they were doing on operational issues. The program was simple, low cost, and easy to implement. All levels of management found it a useful tool. (Author/WAS)

Describes a course in psychiatric administration which is part of a "standard" psychiatric residency training program. The course combined both didactic and experiential learning for senior residents performing administrative duties for the first time. Includes details of each week's seminar. Discusses course evaluation by both teachers and…

Conducted a management and organization development program in eight mental health agencies. Describes the stages and activities of this 18-month effort and the results of its evaluation. There were significant, positive results for almost all the participating management teams as well as for their organizations. (Author)

Reports on the use of applied behavioral science techniques to develop a performance appraisal instrument and system in a mental health organization. The system integrates individual, professional, and institutional values into an overall framework including parts of the organization in conflict. (Author/WAS)

Summarizes conference proceedings and provides an overview of the nature and key issues of cut-back management in community mental health services. Discusses leadership and management, leadership strategies and values, the management of organizational resource reduction applied to human services, the process of reorganization, and…