Funding growth and service match: Doing more of the same, or doing things better?

Abstract

We evaluated service access and match in Southeastern Ontario following community mental health funding increases using repeated samples drawn before and after the enhancements. Access to care increased by an estimated 12% (350 clients) between 2001 and 2006, but only about a third of clients were appropriately matched to their needed level of care. Service match increased slightly after the funding increases, but changes were non-statistically significant. Almost half of the clients remained underserviced and 20% were overserviced, suggesting that a more targeted and systematic approach to care planning is necessary to shift systemwide resources to client groups who are in the greatest need.