ReEntry ACT

behavorial health services

behavorial health services

The REH Community Treatment Team provides “Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services. ACT is a evidence-based national model that has been used throughout the United States for decades. ACT is an array of holistic services provided by a multi-disciplinary community based, mobile treatment team. The team consists of a psychiatrist, a team leader (mental health professional), practitioners (dually qualified for mental illness and chemical dependency), nursing, and vocational counselors.

Assertive Community Treatment services adhere to certain essential standards and the following basic principles:

• PRIMARY PROVIDER OF SERVICES: The multidisciplinary make-up of each team (psychiatrist, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation, etc.) and the small client to staff ratio, helps the team provide most services with minimal referrals to other mental health programs or providers. The ACT team members share offices and their roles are interchangeable when providing services to ensure that services are not disrupted due to staff absence or turnover.
• SERVICES ARE PROVIDED OUT OF OFFICE: Services are provided within community settings, such as a person’s own home and neighborhood, local restaurants, parks and nearby stores.
• HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES: Treatment plans, developed with the client, are based on individual strengths and needs, hopes and desires. The plans are modified as needed through an ongoing assessment and goal setting process.
• ASSERTIVE APPROACH: ACT team members are pro-active with clients, assisting them to participate in and continue treatment, live independently, and recover from disability .
• LONG TERM SERVICES: ACT services are intended to be long-term due to the severe impairments often associated with serious and persistent mental illness. The process of recovery often takes many years.
• EMPHASIS ON VOCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS: The team encourages all clients to participate in community employment and provides many vocational rehabilitation services directly
• SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES: The team coordinates and provides substance abuse services.
• PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL SERVICES: Staff work with clients and their family members to become collaborative partners in the treatment process. Clients are taught about mental illness and the skills needed to better manage their illnesses and their lives.
• FAMILY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION: With the active involvement of the client, ACT staff work to include the client’s natural support systems (family, significant others) in treatment, educating them and including them as part of the ACT services. It is often necessary to help improve family relationships in order to reduce conflicts and increase client autonomy.
• COMMUNITY INTEGRATION: ACT staff help clients become less socially isolated and more integrated into the community by encouraging participation in community activities and membership in organizations of their choice.
• ATTENTION TO HEALTH CARE NEEDS: The ACT team provides health education, access, and coordination of health care services.

Referral Information for ReEntry ACT