School-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS) has an established evidence base in general education settings, and emerging evidence suggests that SWPBS may be effective in alternative settings (e.g., alternative, residential, or hospital schools; psychiatric hospitals). Given the intense educational and behavioral needs of students typically…

Unfortunately, racial disparities are well documented in the delivery of behavioral health services. This study examines the effects of implementing a decision support process, integrating clinical information into the administration of mental health services, on racial disparities in psychiatric hospital admissions for children in state custody.…

The objectives of a mental health program in Illinois are: (1) to have the patient wish to choose a field of work, and (2) to get him to obtain a job in his chosen field. (CK)

This article discusses the response of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) to the perceived problems with long-term residential treatment and psychiatric hospitalization. The IDCFS implemented a process of residential placement review and a system of residential facility gatekeepers to ensure more appropriate placement and…

Objective: To predict psychiatric hospital length of stay (LOS) for a sample of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services wards across 4 fiscal years. Method: A prospective design was implemented using the Children's Severity of Psychiatric Illness scale, a reliable and valid measure of psychiatric severity, risk factors, youth…

Describes "linkage agreement" system between Illinois community mental health centers and Anna Mental Health and Developmental Center serving 28 rural counties. Agreements specify responsibilities of community centers and hospital staff regarding referrals, client treatment, and discharge. Describes improvements over previous…

At least three circumstances have converged to focus attention on the outcomes associated with residential treatment. First, the reduction in lengths of stay in the psychiatric hospital has resulted in residential treatment becoming the most expensive service on a per episode basis. Second, the increasing emphasis on the identification and use of…

Of the 720 emotionally disturbed children under 18 years of age in state mental institutions, 150 were selected by the Illinois Interdepartmental Committee for intensive study; 35 youths were also selected by the Illinois Youth Commission as being in need of mental treatment. Two schedules were designed for automatic data processing and cases were…