ABSTRACT
In this article we present an overview of descriptive and longitudinal outcome data collected by the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health for Children and Their Families Program. This program, supported by the federal Center for Mental Health Services at the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, has established systems of care for mental health services in 67 communities throughout the United States. Among the 22 communities receiving grants in 1993 and 1994, descriptive information was collected on 44,640 children who received services. Longitudinal outcome study enrollment included 18,884 children, with data collected on 2,580 children who continued in services through 24 months. The average age of children served was 12.1 years; 61.9% were boys, 54.7% were White, and 60.3% had annual household incomes below $15,000. Primary diagnoses included conduct-related disorders (29.3%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (13.6%), and depression or dysthymia (26%). Changes in children’s behaviors and functioning were examined to 2 years in services; 44.6% of children exhibited clinically significant improvements in behavioral and emotional symptoms at 2 years, and 49.5% showed similar changes in functional impairment.
