NCJ Number
123715
Journal
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry Volume: 12 Issue: 2/3 Dated: (1989) Pages: 211-229
Date Published
1989
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article describes a program in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) designed to serve chronic recidivists who require a combination of criminal justice, mental health, and social services.
Abstract
The Multi-Service Network (MSN) is designed to coordinate the services of various community agencies that often serve the same client simultaneously. One objective of the MSN is to improve client services by providing a more effective coordination of existing services and establishing effective systems for maintaining service plan records and communications among agencies. It also aims at more efficient service delivery by eliminating service duplication, the development of a data base of client information, and the evaluation of project effectiveness. MSN also acts as an advocate to correct agency problems. Process and cost evaluations indicate that MSN is functioning effectively and providing improved services at a cost savings. Some problems being addressed by MSN are referral agency resource strain, the sharing of confidential client information among agencies without the client's consent, and the duplication of roles in exclusive ministerial jurisdictions by MSN staff implementing case conference plans. 4 tables, 18 references.