Evaluating SAMHSA’s PATH program
DC
Opportunity
Under subcontract to RTI International, we worked with SAMHSA to evaluate the effectiveness of federal programs like the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) which help people with serious mental illness or substance use disorders (or both) access permanent housing.
Approach
Safe and stable housing is a critical component of recovery from mental health or substance use disorders, and SAMHSA seeks to increase access to permanent housing through its homelessness programs. These programs provide funds to states and territories to support a variety of behavioral health treatments and recovery-oriented services.
Analyzing data from grantees’ annual reports, along with data we collected through web surveys of state coordinators and service providers and through site visits with grantees and consumers, we were able to answer questions of interest to SAMHSA:
- Whether the services funded with PATH dollars were appropriate
- Whether the grantee programs were well administered
- Whether outcomes and process goals were achieved
Impact
Our evaluation of SAMHSA’s PATH program—examining 2010-2012 data and 2013-2015 data—showed that the program achieved its intended outcomes and expanded its reach, providing services to more than 180,000 people each year, and was highly regarded by the people it served.