ACT offers a full range of support services to people with serious behavioral health needs. ACT promotes rehabilitation and independence by teaching people coping skills needed to live in their own communities safely and productively, engaging them in normal daily routines and healthy social interactions. People receiving ACT services often experience significant reductions in crisis situations such as homelessness, incarceration, or repeated hospitalizations.

 Who’s on each SSCS ACT Team?

• Psychiatrist
• Masters Level Team Leaders
• Licensed Professional Counselors and other Mental Health Professionals
• Certified Substance Abuse Counselors
• Registered Nurses
• Vocational/Employment/Education/Housing Specialists
• Peer Support Specialists
• Administrative Coordinators

How can ACT help people with mental health needs?

• Comprehensive assessments & follow-ups
• Psychiatric care & coordination of other health services
• Substance use treatment
• Intensive case management
• Personal care & skills training for activities of daily living
• Treatment and support to people with all levels of acuity of illness, all within the least restrictive setting
• Education on mental health & medication self-management
• Housing assistance
• Going back to school
• Finding a job or acquiring job training
• Assistance in applying for food stamps & other forms of assistance

ACT Criteria Checklist

The individual must have one of the following diagnoses:
Schizophrenia

Other psychotic disorder

Bipolar disorder

Major Depressive Disorder

These may also be accompanied by any of the following:
Substance abuse disorder

Developmental disability

Include one or more of the following service needs:
Two or more acute psychiatric hospitalizations in last six months (OR)

Four or more emergency room visits in the last six months.

Persistent and severe symptoms of a psychiatric disability that interfere with the ability to function daily life.

Must have one of the following:
Inability to participate or remain engaged or respond to traditional community-based services.

Inability to meet basic survival needs, or residing in substandard housing, homeless or at Imminent risk of becoming homeless.

Services are necessary for diversion from forensic hospitalization, pretrial release or as a Condition of probation to lesser restrictive setting.

Must have three (3) of the following:
Evidence of co-existing mental illness and substance abuse/dependence.

Significant suicidal ideation, with a plan and ability to carry out within the last two (2) years.

Suicide attempt in the last two (2) years.

History of violence due to untreated mental illness/ substance abuse within the last two (2) years lacks support systems.

History of inadequate follow-through with treatment plan, resulting in psychiatric or medical instability.

Threats of harm to others in the past two (2) years.

History of significant psychotic symptomatology, such as command hallucinations to harm others.

Global assessment of function of 50 or less.

Two or more interactions with law enforcement in the past year for emergency services due to mental illness or substance abuse (this includes involuntary commitment, ACT/forensic assertive community treatment.

One or more incarcerations in the past year related to mental illness and/or substance abuse.