A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF CHANGING PUBLIC-POLICY ON COMMUNITY MENTAL-HEALTH CLIENT RESIDENTIAL PATTERNS AND STAFF ATTITUDES

Three studies of perceived residential needs and community residential patterns of adults with severe and persistent mental illness over a p eriod of 12 years are used to assess the effect of changing public pol icy in this area. During a period in which public policy shifted from advocacy of congregate living in treatment settings to independent liv ing in generic community housing, there were significant changes in co mmunity residential patterns and in the attitudes of case managers. Cl inical and demographic data collected in the most recent survey provid es a much more complete profile of the community living situation of a dults with severe and persistent mental illness than was previously av ailable.