Statewide evaluation shows coordinated specialty care programs in Pennsylvania improved clinical and functional outcomes for early episode psychosis. 

Background

About 100,000 individuals experience symptoms of first episode psychosis each year. Coordinated specialty care combines individual and family therapy, low-dose medication, and supported education and employment services. Together, these can reduce the time someone’s symptoms of psychosis go untreated. This program evaluation examined changes in health and functional status of individuals engaged in selected coordinated specialty care programs in one state, using standardized measures collected at six and 12 months following treatment enrollment.

Findings

Assessments and clinical data from 230 individuals at nine coordinated specialty care sites in Pennsylvania were reviewed at intake, six months, and 12 months following the start of treatment. The state programs had high fidelity and offered services in alignment with evidence-based standards of care. Participants in the sample had fewer hospitalizations, increased rates of employment and satisfaction with services received, and improved symptoms and social functioning, among other outcomes. Most improvements were observed at the six-month mark and remained the same at the 12-month assessment.

Program/Policy Takeaways

Coordinated specialty care programs in Pennsylvania reported improvements in health and functional outcomes for individuals with first episode psychosis over 12-months of participation. Other states implementing coordinated specialty care using Mental Health Block Grant and other funds can use the findings in this study to evaluate the fidelity and outcomes of their programs.