Retaining Your Clients and Your Sanity: Using a Relational Model of Multi-Systems Case Management

SUMMARY Addressing women's special needs in substance abuse treatment might increase the retention of women clients. This paper reviews the theoretical and empirical support for the use of two particular strategies, an emphasis on relationship and an empowerment approach. One particular program, Project Second Beginning, which utilizes a relational model of multi-systems case management to address women's special needs, is described in detail. This program has had an unusually high retention rate. Case illustrations are used to illustrate the implementation of the model.