Forensic mental health services (FMHSs) are high-risk and high-cost tertiary services, serving people with serious mental illness and criminal justice involvement, often with histories of violence and co-occurring substance use. FMHSs are expected to develop agreed-upon standards that are guided by an overarching model of care (MOC). A MOC integrates organizational processes with best-known practices and innovations to guide the development and evaluation of clinical services. We describe a MOC developed in a Canadian forensic program that included standards for clinical pathways and processes, treatment resourcing and outcome measurement. A MOC is imperative to a FMHS fulfilling its mandated role of public protection.

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