Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a form of community-based mental health care for individuals experiencing serious mental illness that interferes with their ability to live in the community, attend appointments with professionals in clinics and hospitals, and manage mental health symptoms. It is an evidence-based practice and is characterized by an intensive, integrated approach to community mental health service delivery. What this means is that mental health services are provided in a community setting as the mission of ACT is to help people become independent and integrate into the community as they experience recovery. ACT teams help reduce reliance on hospitals by providing round-the-clock services to the people who need it most with other results including the reduction of preventable outcomes of mental illness, such as homelessness and substance abuse.

The people we serve are often characterized by:

• Persons with severe symptoms of mental illness
• People with significant thought disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder
• People with stigmatized mental illnesses
• Persons with high rates of substance abuse
• People with a significant history of trauma
• Those with frequent hospital stays or arrests
• People experiencing homelessness due to mental illness
• Persons with overlapping physical and mental illnesses
• Persons experiencing psychiatric crises
• People unlikely to attend appointments at hospitals or clinics
• People who have not responded well to traditional outpatient care

As an ACT Case Manager you will offer:

• Initial and ongoing assessments
• Psychosocial rehab services such as coping with psychotic episodes or crises
• Substance abuse services
• Help with employment and housing
• Education for family members about mental illness
• Treatment planning and monitoring
• Help with finances (such as managing money and paying bills)
• Helping clients grow confident with housekeeping, shopping, cooking, and transportation
• Employment support such as finding and keeping a job

As an additional note, another benefit that the ACT model may also be helpful for reducing burnout among mental health professionals. Despite serving individuals with intensive needs, research has found that ACT case managers report less work pressure and greater job satisfaction. The shared responsibility that comes from being part of a healthcare team, the abundance of peer support, and clear job roles are possible reasons why those who work in assertive community treatment are less prone to burnout.

All Betty Hardwick Center campuses are Tobacco Free. Use of any tobacco products is not permitted on any of our grounds.

Betty Hardwick Center strives to provide a trauma-sensitive culture of safety, compassion and choice. We value applicants who have training and personal experience in Trauma Informed Care.