Evaluation outcome update community-alternative to psychiatric residential treatment facilities Indiana intensive youth services

Abstract

On September 30, 2012, Indiana and eight other states completed a five year Medicaid grant to demonstrate that intensive community based services can be effective for youth complex behavioral health. These are youth who might otherwise be treated in a psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF). This interim report reviewed findings from Indiana between January, 1 2008 and June 30, 2011. In addition to usual Medicaid clinical and rehabilitation services, grant services were coordinated using the wraparound process (Suter & Bruns, 2009). Non-traditional grant services included: habilitation (skill development), clinical consultation, family training and support, respite, flex funds and non-medical transportation. The Deficit Budget Act grant was to determine the cost effectiveness of home and community based services as an alternative to using a PRTF. This analysis specifically examined under what circumstances youth and families benefit from intensive community based services.