—by Paul M. Kubek
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include current activities.
The State of Ohio continues to make Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) a top priority for people with severe mental illness who are most at-risk of homelessness, psychiatric crisis and hospitalization, and involvement in the criminal justice system. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Department of Medicaid are supporting the implementation of ACT in local communities with help from the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University. The Center is providing consultation, evaluation, training, and learning communities for behavioral healthcare organizations that are implementing ACT or thinking about starting the process.
About ACT
ACT is one of the oldest and most widely researched evidence-based practices in behavioral healthcare for people with severe mental illness. ACT takes a multidisciplinary team approach to service with assertive outreach in the community. The consistent, caring, person-centered relationships have a positive effect upon outcomes and quality of life. People receiving ACT services tend to utilize fewer intensive, high-cost services and tend to have less involvement with criminal justice. They also experience more independent living and higher rates of treatment retention.
Learn more about ACT and our technical-assistance services for ACT (click here).
Training Series & Learning Communities
Our training series and learning-community events are supported by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and include the following:
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): Making the Case and Getting Started
- Regional Meetings for ACT
- ACT Team Leader Conference Calls
- ACT Team Leader Training
- Leadership Essentials for Intensive Treatment Teams, Day 1 (Building Resilient Teams) & Day 2 (Sustaining Resilient Teams)