A strategic planning model for community mental health centers

Abstract

Community mental health centers are facing dramatic changes in the way they carry out their missions. As federal and state programs are being cut back, community mental health centers are faced with the issue of their own survival while public demands on them continue to increase. In order to help other public service organizations plan for the future, this report outlines a strategic plan developed at a specific community mental health center, the Summit Center for Human Development. The strategic plan was, in essence, an examination of the current and prospective services offered by Summit Center and how the Center can continue to provide mandated public mental health programs while increasing its financial capability to offer a variety of optional services. The strategic plan, then, outlined the directions that need to be taken to enhance the mandated and optional services being provided while improving the financial viability of Summit Center.