USE OF STATE-HOSPITAL STAFF TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR STAFF OF COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

State hospital staff and other hospital resources in a region of Washi ngton State were used to train staff of community residential faciliti es in the care of persons with serious mental illness, Forty-six staff members from 17 community facilities received week-long training in t he program's first year. Participants expressed a high level of satisf action with the program, and facility administrators indicated that it had a positive impact on the overall quality of services in their fac ility. The annual staff turnover rate among participants was dramatica lly lower than among other staff in the community facilities.