CCS: Data Brief, 2019 - Issue 3

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Comprehensive Community Services

Data Brief, 2019 - Issue 3


Using Evidence on Acute Services to Support Recovery through Comprehensive Community Services

A goal of Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is to reduce costly, acute services such as inpatient, crisis, and emergency services for its participants. An individual’s timing of acute services in relation to their participation in CCS may paint a picture of their ongoing needs and the program’s impact on their recovery.  This document features the results of an analysis of statewide Medicaid data on crisis events and CCS participation as well as data from the public mental health system on psychiatric hospitalizations for a recent group of CCS participants. This information was presented by Department of Health Services staff at a recent conference attended by mental health and substance use services professionals.

Key findings:

  • CCS reduced the likelihood of experiencing acute services after enrollment by 28%.
  • 47% of individuals experienced acute services before CCS enrollment, 30% during, and 34% after leaving CCS.
  • Participants’ likelihood of experiencing acute services increased after leaving the program, but remained lower than before enrollment.
  • CCS participants were more likely to experience acute services if they:
    • Were older youth (aged 15-18).
    • Identified as a non-white racial or ethnic group.
    • Had ever had an involuntary commitment.
    • Had ever been involved in the criminal justice system.
  • There were a number of CCS participants who experienced multiple acute services events, while there were several others who experienced few or none.
  • The 58% of CCS participants who experienced crisis events before or during CCS were less likely to experience another crisis event after CCS, but, for those who did experience another crisis event, CCS had almost no effect on the number of events experienced.
  • Among the 28% of participants who experienced a hospitalization, CCS reduced the overall likelihood of experiencing a hospitalization.

View a full description of the analysis and detailed findings..


The CCS Data Brief is part of an effort to provide CCS stakeholders with timely data insights to help inform quality improvement efforts. Previous CCS Data Brief bulletins can be viewed on the DHS website.