the nimh community support program: pilot approach to a needed social reform*

摘要: This year, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) launched a modest but potentially significant pilot program titled Community Support Program (CSP). CSP is designed to improve services for one particularly vulnerable population—adult psychiatric patients whose disabilities are severe and persistent whom long-term skilled or semiskilled nursing care inappropriate. Specifically, involves contracts (not grants) between NIMH State mental health agencies, many will subcontract with local agencies demonstration projects. To date, 19 States have been awarded amounting total approximately $3.5 million first year's activities. Although so new that little has published about it, interpretations beginning appear in press professional literature. The New York Times (February 7, 1978), example, while emphasizing need Federal leadership chronic patients, referred initiative an editorial as "belatedly pulled together" "meager." Professional literature viewed it more positively. A recent article Scientific American (Bassuk Gerson 1978, p. 53), highlighted importance "the acknowledgment specific needs severely disabled person," willingness government accept responsibility mentally ill." APA Monitor (Herbert 1977, 4)