The evolution of an acute day treatment program.

The day treatment program of a community mental health center has evolved from a relatively unstructured drop-in-program set up ten years ago to a comprehensive four-part service. The acute day treatment program is able to provide transitional services to meet the needs of three local inpatient units and an alternative to inpatient care to clients with an adequate community support system. The unit has also developed an extended and less intensive program for clients who need services beyond the maximum 14 weeks of the basic program and a long-term aftercare medication and monitoring clinic.