Community Families: An Alternative to Psychiatric Hospital Intensive Care

For the past four years Southwest Denver Community Mental Health Services, Inc., has had a system of alternative families who take one or two psychiatric patients who need intensive treatment Into their homes; the clients' average stay is ten days. Thus far approximately 220 client placements have been effectively carried out in a network of five homes. Clients who receive psychotropic medication have its effects monitored by a staff psychiatrist, medical nurse coordinator, and nurse cliniclan. A study conducted by independent researchers over the initial two-year period Indicates that the homes are more effective In certain respects than a psychiatric hospital in providing intensive care.