R. Rosenheck et al., SERVICE SYSTEM INTEGRATION, ACCESS TO SERVICES, AND HOUSING OUTCOMES IN A PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS PERSONS WITH SEVERE MENTAL-ILLNESS, American journal of public health, 88(11), 1998, pp. 1610-1615
Objectives. This study evaluated the hypothesis that greater integrati
on and coordination between agencies within service systems is associa
ted with greater accessibility of services and improved client housing
outcomes. Methods. As part of the Access to Community Care and Effect
ive Services and Supports program, data were obtained on baseline clie
nt characteristics, service use, and 3-month and 12-month outcomes fro
m 1832 clients seen at 18 sites during the first year of program opera
tion. Data on interorganizational relationships were obtained from str
uctured interviews with key informants from relevant organizations in
each community (n = 32-82 at each site). Results. Complete follow-up d
ata were obtained from 1340 clients (73%). After control for baseline
characteristics, service system integration was associated with superi
or housing outcomes at 12 months, and this relationship was mediated t
hrough greater access to housing agencies. Conclusions. Service system
integration is related to improved access to housing services and bet
ter housing outcomes among homeless people with mental illness.