Mental Health Under the Umbrella

In recent years many states, with the aim of integrating fragmented human services, have reorganized their human-service programs into comprehensive or umbrella agencies. The agencies vary widely in the number and kind of programs they include. Mental health staffs should not view these agencies as a threat, the author says, but as a chance to develop new linkages and allies and even new sources of funding. And the mental health field can exercise some leadership in the agencies' development because of its experiences in coordinating diverse and autonomous mental health services into comprehensive community mental health networks. The author lists some principles learned from that experience that are applicable to reorganizing all human services, including the need for common goals, written agreements, designated liaison staff, and a commitment to coordination.