A model for service delivery research and evaluation: management implications for alcohol, drug abuse and mental health organizations.

Public alcohol, drug and mental health organizations have failed to adequately demonstrate their impact. Historically, the justification for these programs have relied more on good intentions and good faith to support their efforts than on their documented efficacy. This lack of documentation has contributed, in part, to recent federal and state mandates for better management, control, and evaluation of publicly financed mental health, alcohol and drug abuse care. This paper presents a model of applied research and evaluation designed to enhance the capabilities of public mental health, drug and alcohol programs in demonstrating their clinical and rehabilitative results.