Healthinmind/Mental Health Disorders/Psychoses/Schizophrenia/Rehabilitation

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

ACT is a team approach designed to provide comprehensive community-based treatment, rehabilitation, and support to persons with serious mental illness (SMI).

Research studies show that people who receive ACT are less likely to be hospitalized and more likely to have stable housing, a better quality of life, and more satisfaction with the services they receive than people in more traditional case management programs,. The critical ingredients that make ACT different from other services include the following:

Team approach to service delivery:
Each ACT team is multidisciplinary (people from psychiatry, nursing, social work, substance abuse treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and housing services). The members work closely together to provide consumers with a highly integrated array of services that best meet their needs.  The team members share offices, and their roles are interchangeable when necessary to ensure that services are not disrupted because of staff absence or turnover. 

Small staff-to-consumer ratio:
One reason that ACT teams can provide personalized services is that teams work with only a relatively small group of consumers. This way, the team members get to really know the individuals they are working with and can closely monitor how they are doing.

Services in natural environments:
Most ACT services are provided in the consumers’ homes, where they work, parks, nearby stores, and in other community settings where support is needed. ACT teams are also proactive with consumers, helping them to participate in and continue treatment and rehabilitation.

Highly individualized services:
Treatment plans, developed with the consumer, are based on individual strengths, needs, and desires. The plans are modified as needed through an ongoing assessment and goal setting.

Timely services:
The team meets frequently, often daily, to discuss how things are going with their consumers so that necessary interventions and modification in interventions are made in a timely manner.  Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; someone is always available whenever support is needed. Because of the team’s ongoing involvement and flexibility, emergencies can often be avoided.

Time-unlimited support:
ACT teams understand the persistent and chronic nature of SMI and make a long-term commitment to the consumers. Teams provide timely support and services for as long as they are needed. 

Areas in Which ACT Teams Provide Assistance:

	Daily Activities:   Grocery shopping and cooking   Purchasing and caring for clothing   Using transportation   Social and family relationships
	Family Life   Crisis management   Counseling and psycho-education for family members   Coordination with child welfare and family service agencies   Supporting people in carrying out their roles as parents
	Work Opportunities   Help in preparing for employment   Help in finding and keeping employment   Job coaching   Educating employers about serious mental illness
	Entitlements   Assisting with applications   Accompanying consumers to entitlement offices   Managing food stamps if needed   Assisting with re-determination of benefits
	Health   Education to prevent health problems   Medical screening   Scheduling routine visits   Linking people with medical providers for acute care   Sex education and counseling on reproductive health
	Substance Abuse Treatment   Substance abuse treatment provided directly by team members
	Medication Support   Ordering medications from pharmacies   Delivering medications, if needed   Educating consumers about medications   Reminding individuals to take medications   Monitoring side effects
	Housing Assistance   Finding suitable housing   Helping negotiate leases and pay rent   Purchasing and repairing household items   Developing relationships with landlords   Improving housekeeping skills
	Financial Management   Planning a budget   Troubleshooting financial problems (e.g., disability payments)   Assisting with bills   Increasing independence in money management
	Counseling   Oriented toward problem solving   Built into all activities   Goals addressed by all team members   Includes development of communication skills

For more information on ACT, please visit: 

Act Association

NAMI

                                                                                                                                Last updated  12/19/03