Leadership, Budget Restrictions, and the Recovery Model

Abstract

This exploratory survey considers how lingering aftereffects of the 2008 U.S. economic recession may have affected the delivery of Mental Health Recovery Model services. The Recovery Model is a social reform movement that has driven current mental health policy. Forty-six employees of a California Recovery Model agency working in five northern California counties responded to a survey assessing their perceptions of whether cost containment strategies focused on increasing billable hours, productivity, and quality control affected consumer services. Results show that employees felt the organization’s ability to engage clients had been affected. Employees also expressed ambivalence about whether cost containment efforts are positive or negative. The results of this exploratory research lead to some preliminary reflection on the impact that reduced budgets may have on Recovery Model services. To truly assess how such services are being impacted nationwide, more in-depth assessment of a large national sample is necessary.