Variations on Assertive Community Treatment: A Study of Approaches and Client Outcomes of Four Teams in South Eastern Ontario

Principals: Shirley Eastabrook and Terry Krupa
Location: Kingston

In a quasi-experimental naturalistic design, this project will evaluate four local adaptations of assertive community treatment in Kingston. Data will be collected over a two-year period, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The research will examine:

• program impacts over time with respect to key program differences – e.g., availability of vocational specialists, long-term housing supports and structured day activities
• program implementation and how program differences influence team activities
• costs for client subgroups based on severity of illness and past hospitalizations
• the relationships between specific team dimensions and outcomes
• client experiences in programs (through qualitative, participatory research)

Outcome variables will include clinical status, quality of life, social functioning, satisfaction with services, substance abuse, community integration, and empowerment.