The Clinical Resources Center

Abstract

Most correctional mental health services suffer from diffi culties in recruiting and maintaining well-qualified staff members and from producing much nonfunctional work. The use of a Clinical Resources Center (CRC), in which staff and functions are directed toward specific performance objectives, is suggested as an alternative organization of services. The CRC would offer (1) screening, targeted to actual transfer and organizational de cisions and conducted at the lowest staff level necessary; (2) in tensive individual evaluations for early identification and agency program planning; (3) direct treatment services; (4) field and consultation services throughout the system and within the in stitution, including management and training functions; and (5) program development, personnel development and training, and research. By concentrating substantial numbers of behavioral professionals in one location, the CRC mobilizes their skills toward meeting specific departmental objectives. It is designed to serve as both a test laboratory for program ideas and a means of extending mental health resources and skills through a cor rectional system.