Successful systems integration strategies: The access program for persons who are homeless and mentally ill

In 1993, the Access to Community Care and Effective Services and Supports ( ACCESS) federal demonstration program was initiated. Using a quasi-experime ntal design, the 5-year demonstration program sought to assess the impact o f integrated systems of care on outcomes for homeless persons with mental i llness. The authors report on which integration strategies were chosen and how their implementation is quantified. Data collected primarily through an nual site visits revealed that only two strategies were used by all nine sy stems. The systems integration strategies employed remained relatively stab le over the 5 years. Successful implementation appears to be related to the strategies selected.