Initial Evaluation of the Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) program

Background. The NYS Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) program serves adults with serious mental illness (SMI) and SMI/substance use disorders (SUD) dual diagnosis.  PROS is a rehabilitation model including individualized treatment plans and use of evidence-based treatment practices in a group-centered approach. Service utilization and social outcomes are examined over time.

Methods. The employment and substance treatment analyses sample includes 3,543 individuals who were in PROS for at least 6 months (46% have a SUD). The hospitalization analysis uses a subsample of 1,526 discharged individuals. McNemar’s chi-square was used to examine pre and follow-up changes for the following outcomes: employment, educational activity, substance treatment engagement, and psychiatric hospitalizations. Mixed effects regression will be used to examine repeated measures of change over time on these outcomes. Data sources were the OMH state operated and community operated data systems and Medicaid.

Findings. From pre-admission to post-discharge, psychiatric hospitalization rate decreased significantly, from 24% to 14%. Substance related hospitalizations also decreased significantly (4% to 2%). Of those with a SUD, 55% were in treatment in the 6 months prior to admission, and 70% were in treatment at most recent follow-up; 40% moved to a later stage of treatment while in PROS. Competitive employment increased from 7% to 11%, and educational activity increased from 5% to 9%.

Implications. PROS serves a high number of dual diagnosis patients, yet successfully engages patients in employment and educational activity, and decreases psychiatric and substance related hospitalizations.