The Impact of Forensic Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (FPATH) on Competency Services and Other Key Measures—An Outcome Evaluation

Forensic Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (FPATH) programs provide outreach and case management services to people involved in Washington State’s forensic mental health system who face substantial barriers to behavioral health care and community supports. This study evaluates the impact of FPATH programs in three Washington regions by comparing outcomes for Medicaid-enrolled FPATH participants with a statistically matched comparison group of people who did not participate in the program. Key outcomes examined included use of competency services, behavioral health treatment, homelessness, and criminal legal system involvement. Results demonstrated that FPATH participants used crisis services, outpatient emergency room services, inpatient substance use disorder treatment, and Foundational Community Supports more frequently and for longer periods than the comparison group. There were no meaningful differences between groups in competency orders, arrests or legal charges, inpatient or outpatient mental health services, or homelessness during the outcome period.