A collaborative approach to the development of psychiatric rehabilitation services in a public behavioral health managed care environment

This article summarizes the collaborative effort that took place between providers, managed care administrators, and state and county officials in Pennsylvania to create a fluid system in the development of psychiatric rehabilitation services. The stakeholders involved solved the numerous logistical problems that are inherent in the start-up of new services and were able to cooperatively create procedures for service delivery, service coordination, and reimbursement across systems and funding mechanisms. The article reviews that process and highlights the services of Welcome House, a psychiatric rehabilitation program exemplifying the products of their collaboration.