Assertive Community Treatment

Assertive Community Treatment ACT Model of Care Nationally recognized treatment approach which has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment and oversight of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.

ACT demonstrates Significantly less time in hospitals More time in independent living situations Greater success in the employment arena More positive social relationships Clients express greater satisfaction with life Clients experience a decrease in symptoms

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill ACT Study Only 18% of the ACT clients were hospitalized in the first year 88% of the non-ACT comparison treatment group was hospitalized

Key Features of MHCD ACT Teams Case Management services community- based Psychopharmacologic treatment including new atypical antipsychotic and antidepressant medications Individual supportive therapy Mobile crisis intervention

Key Features of MHCD’s ACT Teams Substance abuse treatment In vivo skills teaching Structuring time Handling activities of daily living Supportive employment paid and volunteer work Support for resuming education

Key Features of MHCD’s ACT Teams Collaboration with families and assistance with children Residential and housing opportunities Hospitalization

Assertiveness is Essential Frequent contacts with staff Most services are provided in the community- vs.- the office Collateral services Housing/Residential Vocational Emphasis is on learning and enhancing community living skills

ACT Characteristics Primary Providers of Service Services Are Provided in the Community Services are Highly Individualized Have an Assertive “Can Do” Approach

Primary Provider of Service Act teams help consumers with all their needs. The team may not provide all of the service but will refer and link consumers to all of the services they need. Act teams start with the idea that “everything is our job.”

Services are Provided in the Community. It’s essential that we see people where they live so that we can understand their situation, strengths and needs. Working with people in the community helps consumers stay in treatment and eliminates the need for the transfer of learning.

Services are Highly Individualized Getting to know consumers in all realms of their life allows us to help them develop goals that are meaningful and specific to them. The program fits the consumer instead of the consumer needing to fit the program.

We Have an Assertive “Can Do” Approach We always remain optimistic that consumers can achieve their goals. We always remain optimistic that we can find creative methods to help consumers achieve their goals.

ACT Teams Have favorable case ratios Are multi-disciplinary Have extended hours of operation Help the consumer develop a relationship with many members of the team Promote team work Meet frequently

ACT Teams Continued Deliver services according to the consumers need at the time Complete a comprehensive assessment with each consumer Provide facilitated treatment planning meetings which include everyone who the consumer wants to invite.

Right Service at the Right Time Every 6 months we complete a Recovery Needs Level to determine the consumers level of care. We look at a variety of areas in their lives: Housing status Hosp. stays CM needs Legal issues Medication adherence, etc

Right Service at the Right Time We have teams designed to offer the correct amount of services to fit the individual needs of the consumer: HITT CTT Outpatient

Right Service at the Right Time By looking at the RNL we can determine what the consumer needs and connect them to the right Team.

High Utilizers High Utilizers would be on a HIT level team. HITT Case Managers have a lower caseload and are able to spend a high number of hours with each individual consumer.

High Utilizers Other small grant teams with different specialties We have several HIT Teams: Arapahoe HITT- focuses on Dual –Diagnosis consumers Stout St. HITT- focuses on Homeless Consumers Downing HITT-focuses on all High needs consumers Welcome Home- focuses on re-offenders 21st Century – focuses on medically compromised consumers Other small grant teams with different specialties

High Utilizers Case Managers on HIT Teams have time to meet with and collaborate with outside agencies to brainstorm on ways to best help the consumer and help them in their recovery. With collaboration, care and patience even the most difficult consumer can recover!