Citrus assisted outpatient treatment (caot) - the citrus assisted outpatient treatment (caot) located in crystal river, florida, operated by lifestream behavioral center, is a comprehensive outpatient…

Citrus assisted outpatient treatment (caot) - the citrus assisted outpatient treatment (caot) located in crystal river, florida, operated by lifestream behavioral center, is a comprehensive outpatient program that focuses on the all-around health and wellness of adults living with severe and persistent mental illness as well as CO-occurring substance use disorders. This program utilizes the evidence-based practice of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT), allowable under florida statue 394, to deliver community-based outpatient treatment under court order. AOT, was created to assist those "who need ongoing psychiatric care to prevent relapse, RE-hospitalization, and/or dangerous behavior, and who have difficulty following through with community-based treatment" (swartz, 2001). The caot program will work with adults (18 or older) of any gender, race, or ethnicity who have not been successful in managing their mental health diagnosis due to an inability to understand that they have mental illness or difficulty engaging in treatment and/or following recommendation. Criteria for services includes at least two episodes of illness within the immediately preceding 36 month period resulting in involuntary admission to a receiving or treatment facility (as defined s. 394.455) or receipt of mental health services in a forensic or correctional facility, where the episodes do not include serious violent behavior towards self or others, or attempts at serious bodily harm to himself or herself or others. Citrus assisted outpatient treatment will utilize "integrated treatment for CO-occurring disorders", an evidenced-based practice that integrates both mental illness and substance use treatment to best meet the individual's needs. Project goals include 1) implementation of a new citrus county program for assisted outpatient treatment to serve 265 individuals (50 in year one, 65 in year two, and 75 for year three and four) with serious mental illness, who meet the statutory requirements for involuntary outpatient placement according to the florida's baker act; 2) evaluate the psychiatric, social, and medical needs of individuals prior to admissions, during participation in the program, and following discharge. Project performance will be measured by an expected 70% decrease in the number on incidents of hospitalization and/or incarceration, as well as the length of stay/days incarcerated. Additionally, lifestream behavioral center will utilize the national outcome measures determined by samhsa to monitor and determine increases in the four dimensions - home, health, purpose, and community.