Effectiveness of Mental Health Clinical Training Programs Cannot Be Evaluated
HRD-84-37
Published: Jun 12, 1984. Publicly Released: Jun 14, 1984.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the extent to which the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has allocated clinical training funds among mental health disciplines during fiscal years 1980 through 1983 and targeted such funds to priority mental health needs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should discuss with cognizant congressional committees the acceptability of continuing to use estimates as the bases for measuring program effectiveness. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Due to the continued shortages of funds and staff needed to develop more precise data on program effectiveness, and the continued uncertainty of receiving funds each fiscal year, NIMH stated that it will have to continue to use estimates.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should instruct the Director, NIMH, to estimate the funds and staff needed to develop reliable data to measure program effectiveness for Congress to consider. |
Closed – Implemented
Despite NIMH awareness of the need for more precise program effectiveness measurements, the continued shortages of funds and staff have made it impossible for NIMH to initiate any actions concerning this recommendation and it is unlikely that any actions will occur in the near future.
|
| Department of Health and Human Services | The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Director, NIMH, to develop a system requiring recipients of stipends with payback obligations to report to NIMH, in a timely fashion, as to how they are satisfying that obligation and a system for monitoring this process and enforcing the payback obligation. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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