Consumer initiatives are supported through funding, consumer leadership training, education of professionals and the public about consumer initiatives and evaluation using appropriate methods. Funding is provided to family groups who also participate in planning and evaluation of care delivery. There is a free-standing mental health reform policy based on an explicit vision that is shared among various stakeholders, including consumers and families. There is a planned strategy for implementing policy. Policy preserves the mental health envelope, prevents losses due to downsizing of institutions and increases the proportion of funds spent on community care.
Policy defines concrete, measurable targets for reform.
Monitoring and Evaluation Regular monitoring of all services and supports is the basis for program and system accountability and for continuous quality improvement. Preset goals, performance measures and time lines are established. There is a sufficient, protected evaluation budget. The authority uses clinical, administrative and fiscal mechanisms to promote cost containment, transfer resources from institutional to community care, implement best practices and increase accountability. Diverse funding sources are consolidated into a single funding envelope that can be flexibly used.