PERC is an applied mental health services evaluation group whose key functions are to:

• Describe, monitor, and forecast changes in the VA substance abuse treatment system;

• Evaluate the process, environment, staffing, and outcomes of substance abuse treatment;

• Provide relevant and timely information about these issues to VA policymakers, program managers and treatment providers.

The Veterans Health Administration is organized into 22 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), each of which is composed of local VA Health Care Systems and Facilities. The Mental Health Strategic Health Group (MHSHG) in VA Central Office provides substance abuse treatment policy guidance, helps develop practice guidelines and treatment models, and oversees program monitoring and evaluation. PERC is part of the Center for Health Care Evaluation (CHCE), which also includes the Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), the Substance Abuse Module of the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) and a VA HSR&D Center of Excellence. CHCE is affiliated with Stanford University, specifically the Departments of Health Research and Policy, Economics, Sociology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. PERC is composed of experts trained in mental health program evaluation, clinical epidemiology, clinical psychology, neuroscience, public policy and management, statistics and applied research methodology.

PERC has a diverse group of stakeholders. We provide information to MHSHG and other organizational entities in VA Central Office. In addition, we disseminate our findings and reports widely throughout the VA to VISN directors and Clinical Services Managers, Facility Directors, and Chiefs of Staff, and substance abuse and mental health program coordinators and staff.

PERC also fulfills the important role of informing interested groups outside the VA about the VA substance abuse treatment system. Either through MHSHG or directly, we disseminate our findings to the White House Office on National Drug Control Policy, the Government Accounting Office, the Office of the Inspector General, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration and the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees. PERC also disseminates information to other government and community groups, such as the National Institutes of Health and veterans' service organizations.