A systems analysis of a campus community mental health facility: A preliminary investigation

Faced with increasing demand and relatively static resources, community mental health facilities need to evaluate their functions in terms of time, cost, and performance effectiveness. For this study, the technology of systems analysis was applied to the functions of a progressive university counseling center. The systems analysis provided a management and information flow analysis and a time and cost analysis, as well as a performance analysis. This study focused on the preliminary results of the time, cost, and performance analysis.Gratitude is extended to the remainder of the systems analysis team for their assistance in the project, as well as the staff of The University of Texas Counseling-Psychological Services Center for their cooperation. This project was partially funded by National Science Foundation grant GJ 509X3, by the Counseling-Psychological Services Center, and by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Special acknowledgement is made of the support of Ronald M. Brown, Vice President for Student Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin. The systems analysis team included T. Bishop, C. Black, J. Byars, R. Byars, P. Caroom, J. Littlefield, A. Nutt, M. Rood, E. Salsbury, and C. Weinstein.