Characteristics of State Mental Health Agency Data Systems

December, 2008 State mental health agencies (SMHAs) are responsible for funding and providing mental health services to more than 6 million persons every year. The backbone of their service infrastructure is the information technology (IT) systems that support SMHA functions such as paying providers for services rendered, assessing clients' access to care, evaluating the quality of care provided, planning for adequate system capacity, and monitoring outcomes. SMHAs vary widely in their IT system capacities and structures. This report reviews the current status of mental health IT in the States and their efforts to improve these critical systems. This report was . . .