Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an integrated community-based mental health service model.
ACT is an integrated, comprehensive wrap-around, community-based mental health service in Minnesota that provides psychiatric rehabilitation and treatment to individuals with severe mental illness who may not engage in traditional forms of mental health services. The primary focus of ACT is to help individuals live and succeed in more integrated community settings. ACT services strive to improve functioning in roles related to living, learning, working, social and cultural to enhance an individual’s quality of life and recovery.
ACT is most effective with individuals who have a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depression with psychotic features and bipolar. ACT is a model that has an organizational framework around skill development, evidenced based clinical approaches, such as wellness management and recovery, integrated dual disorder treatment, peer support, supported employment, family psychoeducation, therapy, as well as medication management through psychiatric and nursing services. The team promotes person choice, recovery, and natural community integration. The relationship is key to successful outcomes from ACT services.
Members eligible to receive ACT services must meet the following criteria as assessed by an ACT team:
- 18 years old or older (Individuals ages 16 and 17 may be eligible upon approval by the commissioner)
- Have a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic features or other psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder
- Have a significant functional impairment demonstrated by at least one of the following:
- No indication that other available community-based services would be equally or more effective as evidenced by consistent and extensive efforts to treat the individual
- Written opinion of a licensed mental health professional that the member has the need for mental health services that cannot be met with other available community-based services, or is likely to experience a mental health crisis or require more restrictive setting if assertive community treatment is not provided
Forensic assertive community treatment (FACT) is a service delivery model intended for individuals with serious mental illness who are involved with the criminal justice system.
FACT builds on the evidence-based assertive community treatment (ACT) model by making adaptations based on criminal justice issues—in particular, addressing criminogenic risks and needs. In this sense, FACT is an intervention that bridges the behavioral health and criminal justice systems.
FACT is designed to do the following: improve individuals’ mental health outcomes and daily functioning; reduce recidivism by addressing criminogenic risks and needs; divert individuals in need of treatment away from the criminal justice system; manage costs by reducing reoccurring arrest, incarceration, and hospitalization.
ACT and FACT provide:
- Psychiatry, Nursing, Vocational, Chemical Health and Harm Reduction, Peer Support, Case Management, Housing Support, Therapy, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, and a 24/7 Crisis Line
- Groups offered: Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment, Clinical Skills, Health and Wellness and Recovery
- FACT periodically offer groups focused on addressing criminogenic risks and needs, such as Thinking for Change
Recipients referred to FACT services need to meet all the eligibility criteria that ACT services require. In addition, they need to have criminal justice involvement and an agreement to allow a collaboration and partnership with their probation team and/or other criminal justice partners.
Ivy Supported Housing Apartments:
Eligible recipients for Ivy Apartments are active members of the SpringPath ACT or FACT team that are in need of housing with supports. They are assessed for eligibility by the Program Manager of Ivy, as well as their ACT or FACT team. Factors considered for eligibility are; if they’ve had difficulty keeping housing due to lack of support, have unstable or no housing, would benefit from an intentional community.