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Objective:

The study examined the relationship between fidelity of strengths model case management (SMCM) and client outcomes of psychiatric hospitalization, competitive employment, postsecondary education, and independent living.

Methods:

Data were collected over an 18-month period during regularly scheduled fidelity reviews for 14 case management teams representing ten agencies serving an average of 953 clients diagnosed as having a serious mental illness. Time-varying covariate linear growth modeling examined the relationship between fidelity scores and client outcomes.

Results:

A statistically significant association was found between fidelity scores and psychiatric hospitalization, competitive employment, and postsecondary education.

Conclusions:

The study results offer promising evidence that higher SMCM fidelity has a positive effect on clients over an 18-month period, thereby providing an effective complement to current mental health treatment. (Psychiatric Services 63:708–710, 2012; doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201100373)