THE IMPACT OF ALTERNATE FUNDING MECHANISMS UPON THE OUTCOMES OF CARE FOR SERIOUSLY EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED YOUTH IN VIRGINIA.
Contributors: University of Virginia.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 150
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Mental Health.; Psychology, Clinical.; Political Science, Public Administration.
Description: The transition of systems of care for the seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) youth is based upon the model and philosophy presented by Stroul & Friedman in 1986. As systems of care are adopted nationwide, restructuring the financing and provision of services has occurred.

The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of an alternative funding mechanism upon the delivery of public mental health services for SED youth. This study examined the effectiveness of pooled versus more traditional funding mechanisms upon service delivery for rural and urban communities.

A repeated measures design was selected to examine the changes in public psychiatric hospital utilization patterns for youth in Virginia. This secondary data analysis utilized inpatient data collected by the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

The findings did not statistically demonstrate changes in public psychiatric hospital utilization patterns. There were descriptive indications that a shift in service patterns was occurring over time.

It was concluded that the influence of this incremental policy and the lack of stronger incentives influenced the inpatient utilization patterns.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-04, Section: B, page: 1939.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, 1995.

School code: 0246.