A FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF STATE-HOSPITAL CLOSING

This article provides a framework for the evaluation of shifting servi ces to persons with severe mental disorders from state hospitals to co mmunity programs. A case study of the closing of a state psychiatric h ospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the scaling down of other fac ilities in the area is used as an illustration. The proposed framework provides answers to longterm management questions and information for policy development through the use of integrated systems and client-s pecific outcome data. Data bases, client outcome scales, and the desig n of the evaluation are described.