Community Living Services

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By April 17, 2015 No Comments

Authors: Counties Manukau District Health Board: Provider Arm Mental Health Services; • Counties Manukau District Health Board: Mental Health Funding & Planning and Service Development; • Mahitahi Trust • Penina Health Trust • Affinity Services Limited • Pathways Trust • Challenge Trust • Framework Trust • Pathways Trust Intensive Community Living Services

Year: 2007

Event: 2007 TheMHS Awards

Subject:

Type of resource: TheMHS Awards

Award state: NZ

Award level: Winner

Award category: Non Government Organisation (NGO) Provided Services

Abstract: The Community Living Service (CLS) was developed in Counties Manukau in 2004 in response to a shortage of individualised community living options and supports for service users. This shortage had resulted in people remaining for a longer time than necessary in inpatient services and residential rehabilitation, and contributed to a high level of inpatient occupancy, extended admissions and ongoing pressure on acute inpatient and crisis respite services. To address these issues, Counties Manukau District Health Board’s (CMDHB’s) Mental Health Development Team established community services designed specifically to assist services users previously in inpatient services and residential rehabilitation to obtain suitable housing and to live full lives in the community. This application is a summary of the results of a comprehensive evaluation undertaken by CMDHB over 2006 using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings show that CLS is an effective and cost efficient programme resulting in positive outcomes for consumers. Description of Facility/Organisation: Counties Manukau District Health Board is responsible for the funding and provision of health services for a population of approximately 440,600 people. It is the fastest growing area in New Zealand and is noted for its high numbers of Maori and Pacific peoples and their relative youthfulness. By the end of 2006, the six Community Living Service (CLS) providers together employed a total of 28 FTEs and offered support services to approximately 257 consumers who had a history of high usage of mental health services. The total amount of funding targeted for Community Living Services is $3.5M and represents 7 % of the available budget for CMDHB community mental health services for adults. A unique feature of the service is that each provider has a flexifund which is used to pay for additional supports for a consumer to achieve a full life in the community, based on their particular needs.

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