A Guide for Implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment

A Guide for Implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment

JUNE 2012

Created for mental health professionals to implement assisted outpatient treatment for

individuals with severe mental illness

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"A Guide for Implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment"

? 2012 by the Treatment Advocacy Center

Written by Rosanna Esposito, Jeffrey Geller and Kristina Ragosta

The Treatment Advocacy Center is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illness. The organization promotes laws, policies and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supports the development of innovative treatments for and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Comments on Assisted Outpatient Treatment

FROM A PARTICIPANT I never knew I could feel so well.

FROM A PARENT Without AOT, my son would either be in jail or dead ... It alone has made a difference for him by helping him to stay on his meds.

FROM A JUDGE [Assisted outpatient treatment] has provided life-saving services to individuals suffering from mental illness ... and has reduced the need for action by law enforcement, medical emergency personnel, and the Courts, and lessens the trauma and anguish of family and friends.

FROM A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL The clients involved in [AOT] were given the opportunity to recover at home with the support of their families and, by doing so, avoided being sent to the state hospital ... The successes achieved by these individuals are inspiring; watching these people move forward in their lives was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

For additional testimonials please see pages 53-56.

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Contents

About the Guide .........................................................................................................1 Introduction ................................................................................................................3 What is Assisted Outpatient Treatment? ....................................................................7 Who is a Candidate for Assisted Outpatient Treatment?..........................................11 Research Findings on AOT Benefits ........................................................................13 Steps for Effectively Implementing AOT...................................................................17 Case Studies from AOT Sites ..................................................................................25

Akron, Ohio.........................................................................................................26 Columbus, Georgia .............................................................................................30 Iowa City, Iowa....................................................................................................32 Salt Lake City, Utah ............................................................................................ 35 Queens, New York..............................................................................................40 Nevada County, California ..................................................................................47 Seminole County, Florida....................................................................................51 Testimonials .............................................................................................................55 Bibliography ............................................................................................................. 59 Appendices .............................................................................................................. 63

Appendix 1: Sample AOT coordinator descriptions

Appendix 2: Sample forms for procedures, evaluations, court applications and orders, treatment plans, patient expectations

Appendix 3: Legal system experiences with AOT, letters from judges and attorneys

Appendix 4: Sample patient assessment and outcome measurement forms, database

Appendix 5: Sample pamphlets, guides, presentations, guidelines

"A Guide for Implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment," including all appendices and future updates, is available online at solution/aotguide

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