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ACT is a "full service" community based treatment team, comprised of a psychiatrist, a nurse, substance abuse and vocational specialists, social workers, and a peer support specialist. The team serves adults with serious mental illnesses who are not well-engaged with traditional mental health services through 24/7 availability and assertive outreach. ACT is the most researched community mental health intervention, and the evidence for the effectiveness of ACT is more rigorous and abundant than for any other service.
The Ohio Coordinating Center for ACT was created to promote ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) as an evidence-based practice within the state of Ohio. When implemented according to the model, ACT teams can expect certain results with clients, such as housing stability, reduced hospitalizations, and other positive outcomes.
The Ohio Coordinating Center for ACT is a resource for current and future Ohio ACT teams and for Ohio communities who are interested in learning more about the ACT model. The ACT Center has three overall tasks:
- Training and Technical Assistance: Promote ACT throughout the state of Ohio, including introducing stakeholders to the ACT model, training providers in ACT, and consulting with established and developing ACT teams.
- In 2007 we provided over 60 days of training and technical assistance to 21 providers in 28 Ohio counties
- Quality Improvement Through Data Analysis: Coordinate and monitor the evaluation of ACT teams around the state.
- In 2007 we developed data use best practices, evaluated outcomes data for all "certified" Ohio Department of Mental Health ACT Teams and implemented an evaluation of Forensic ACT Teams
- Policy Change Through Advocacy: Collaborate with state agencies, and community leaders to develop strategies and promote services which engage adults with serious mental illness who are "un-reached" by traditional services.
- Over the last three years we authored and successfully passed (into Ohio Administrative Code) the ACT Certification Standard; developed the policy strategy for youth transitioning from child to adult mental health services ; and are helping to create the only evidence – based community practice for adults with severe mental illness returning from prison
For than more than 2,100 Ohioans served through ACT, there are multiple measures of "success". Among the most salient are:
- Reduction of hospital use by 60%
- Reduction of prison recidivism from 50% every three years, to 24%
- Reduction of mean mental health spending from $17,300 to $11,500 per person
- Increase to independent living (from institutional settings /homelessness) by 78%
For more information: Jon Ramos: 513-458-6684, jramos@ohioactcenter.org