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Strategies for cutback management in community mental health centers

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate administrative strategies which community mental health center directors were utilizing to confront declining financial resources. Thirty-two out of a total of 41 area directors in North Carolina who met certain criteria were the subjects, and their responses to a thirty item questionnaire were analyzed. Four strategies were both utilized and perceived as being effective: (1) increased efficiency of services; (2) increased efforts to obtain fees for service; (3) more economical modes of treatment; and (4) service reduction, but this strategy was recommended only as a last resort if all other strategies fail.

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This study is based in part on the senior author's doctoral dissertation completed at Nova University.

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Edwards, L.G., Mitchell, C.C. Strategies for cutback management in community mental health centers. Community Ment Health J 23, 140–151 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00757169

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