An Analysis of the Mental Health Services Delivery System in New York City
The Office of the Bronx Borough President requested a Capstone team analyze service delivery to New York Citys mentally ill population. The Capstone team completed an overview of the system's present capacity and service delivery strategy to analyze the coordination of services between city and state agencies. The Capstone team conducted a more comprehensive assessment of the services for the mentally ill in the criminal justice system to determine whether gaps in mental health services contribute to criminal justice involvement. The Capstone team conducted an extensive literature review of and interviews with experts in the City's mental health services and policy fields. The research and fieldwork culminated in the Capstone team's development of recommendations to increase system capacity, and enhance interagency coordination and accountability to improve service access and delivery to all New Yorkers. The Capstone team also developed a provider survey instrument to measure system capacity and barriers to care, and a directory of City mental health service agencies for the client's future use.