Periodic surveys of community resources: A project to improve referrals for direct services

This report is based on a demonstration project in which outpatient psychiatric and counseling agencies available to residents of Prince George's County, Maryland, were surveyed by mail questionnaire every 3 months over a 15-month period. The purpose of the project was to review current services available in each agency. All agencies offering their services to county residents participated in the surveys. The results of each survey were fed back to the participating agencies as well as to other agencies who were known to refer to mental health resources. An evaluation of the project by the above agencies was conducted by mail questionnaire after the demonstration period. It revealed that this kind of service is of considerable value when interagency referrals are made.