The birth and demise of a planning unit in a state mental health department

The development, over a 5 -- yr period, & the sudden dissolution of the Division of Planning & Evaluation Services of a major state Dept of mental health is described. The new division was set up with federal funds, with the intent to make it permanent. Insights into the effort to establish a rational base of planning in a complex bur'cy are presented. The characteristics of the division are explored in relation to the rest of the Dept of Mental Health & its relationship to the State Mental Health Planning Board & its avisory councils is described. It is found that rational planning & evaluation do not mix well with pol. The peculiar relationship of the Planning Division with the rest of the dept made it more vulnerable to changing admin's than other sections & units. The division's role was rather transitional & it did not have an adequately close liaison with the director's office on matters of policy & planning. Whether a more rational org'al structure will emerge, now that the division is dissolved, remains to be seen. Modified HA.