Mental Health Center Adaptation in a Changing Environment.

The shift in policy and funding authority from the federal to the state level of government has caused local mental health centers to reconsider some of their operations. Actions aimed at altering center relations with the external environment are not undergoing radical changes, and executive directors are not significantly increasing their contacts with state authorities, community groups, or local service agencies. Relations with state mental health authorities were described as positive or improving, as was the influence of statewide associations of center directors. The implications of this lack of increased attention to external relations for long-term center viability are discussed.