Clinical & Social Outcomes

Certainly, recovery from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and/or body is an essential outcome we seek for each person we serve. However, the results we strive for go beyond that goal. We work tirelessly for a wholesale change in the quality of a person’s life that permits them to live independently, safely and with dignity.

Having long recognized that positive social outcomes are the necessary underpinnings of positive health outcomes, our approach proactively addresses both.  What distinguishes our programs is that, by addressing quality-of-life/quality-of-health benchmarks, Volunteers of America's Behavioral Health Services consistently achieves the kinds of outcomes that are the essential foundation for life and health. 

We focus on all quality-of-life/quality-of-health indicators developed by World Health Organization (WHO) and used by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, including the following key indices:

• Mental health
• Emotional well-being
• Exposure to infectious disease
• Personal security
• Exposure to trauma and domestic violence
• Exposure to abuse
• Educational attainment
• Stable employment and income
• Equity
• Happiness

Our programs aim to reduce rates of readmission to the hospital, help people adhere to treatment plans, bring about the relief of symptoms and ensure the long-term stabilization of individuals’ health.  Our trailblazing focus on the three components of long-term optimal health – patient engagement, adherence and recovery – lays the foundation for the positive health outcomes our programs consistently achieve.

In each state in which our affiliates operate, our clinical and social outcomes attract funding from a variety of sources. Our behavioral health services are funded by, among other entities, the respective state, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS), and block grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).