Continuous Treatment Team provided participants with an unlimited amount of community-based services and an individualized plan to address their specific needs. Clinical case managers worked closely with clients to create their individualized plan; address their health needs; and help them access housing, transportation, and money management services. The service population included adults without housing who had a severe psychiatric disorder; no history of violent behavior; and an intention to stay in the St. Louis, MO, area for the duration of the study. The intervention lasted 12 months.
Comparing Continuous Treatment Team to Drop-In Center showed the effect of being referred to a set of services that were unique to Continuous Treatment Team or how much better Continuous Treatment Team met participants’ needs. In contrast to Continuous Treatment Team, Drop-In Center provided services such as daytime shelter, food, clothing, showers, and recreational activities. This study also examined the effectiveness of Outpatient Treatment.
The intervention provided adults without housing with traditional outpatient treatment from a state mental health clinic to improve their housing, income, and well-being. This evaluation compared Continuous Treatment Team to a separate intervention, Drop-In Center, to better understand which intervention might be more effective. Continuous Treatment Team featured case management, financial education, and mental and physical health services.