Mandated Evaluation in Community Mental Health Centers: Framework for a New Policy

Experience with federally mandated Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) program evaluation (P.L. 94-63) is examined in terms of three issues: (1) the purposes which evaluation serves; (2) the values about evaluation held by key participants; and (3) limitations in both evaluation technology and CMHC context and resources. Eight generic principles for government role in evaluation are derivedfrom this experience. The principles suggest two different roles—accountability to the public and program amelioration. Government requirements should be concerned solely with the former. Specific recommendations for implementing these two roles are given.