Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based practice designed to provide comprehensive treatment and support services. ACT aims to provide intensive, highly integrated, community-based services that are provided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. ACT services are intended for individuals who have a Serious Mental Illness and who often have a co-occurring diagnosis of substance use disorder that impair their capacity to live in the community. These are individuals who do not typically come into a clinic setting for traditional treatment. ACT services are designed to be provided in the most integrated settings as possible to maximize independence and community integration. The ACT Team takes treatment services to homes, shelters, sidewalks, etc.

ACT is designed to be able to provide almost all treatment services which includes:

  • Case management
  • Counseling/Psychotherapy
  • Psychiatric services
  • Medication support
  • Crisis services 24/7 (ACT crisis consult line)
  • Groups
  • Substance use disorder recovery support
  • Employment/Education support
  • Housing support
  • Skills training related to recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders
  • Support to families and other natural supports

Some Key Components of ACT are:

  • ACT clients are seen an average of 4 times a week.
  • Most services (about 80% or more) are provided in the community, meeting the client where they are in a more natural setting.
  • Focus on employment and educational attainment – Work and education are keys to achieving personal goals, financial self-sufficiency, and improved quality of life. The ACT team supports everyone receiving services who chooses to pursue education and employment by directly providing Supported Employment Services.

Benton County offers Supported Employment services for individuals enrolled in the ACT and EASA programs. The Supported Employment program follows an evidence-based practice model called Individual Placement and Support (IPS). The IPS model helps people living with mental health conditions (such as schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, depression) work at regular jobs of their choosing. For more information about Supported Employment, please visit the website for the Oregon Supported Employment Center for Excellence: https://osece.org/supported-employment/

Long-terms services with planned transition – ACT services are provided for as long as an individual wants and needs intensive treatment. ACT teams use a transition readiness assessment tool to help determine when individuals may be ready to step-down to a lower level of services. Transitions are gradual with assured continuity of care.

Benton County ACT is a mid-sized ACT Team consisting of 12 professionals:

  • 1 Psychiatrist
  • 1 Mental Health RN
  • 2 Substance Use Disorder Specialists
  • 3 Qualified Mental Health Professionals
  • 2 Qualified Mental Health Associates
  • 1 Supported Employment/Education Specialist
  • 1 Peer Support Specialist
  • 1 Team Lead/Program Manager

Benton County ACT also utilizes the Benton County Complex Care Team for medical Primary Care.

Goals of ACT include:

  • Provide services and supports that lessen or eliminate the debilitating symptoms of mental illness and minimize or prevent acute episodes of the illness.
  • Assist clients in meeting their basic needs and enhancing their quality of life.
  • Promote recovery principles of dignity, hope, and well-being.
  • Working through a trauma informed and harm reduction lens.
  • Teach community living skills and help clients reach a variety of personal goals, such as employment, education, and having fulfilling social relationships.
  • Foster community integration and encourage use of natural supports.
  • Provide education and support to families and other natural supports.
  • Help clients to establish economic self-sufficiency and housing stability.
  • Decreased emergency room visits and hospitalizations related to mental health.
  • Decreased involvement with the criminal justice system.

Links:

Referral process: Please call (541) 766-6835 for more information