Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) program for individuals with SMI - a safe place empowerment network (ASPEN) proposes the community stabilization assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) program in…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded A Safe Place Empowerment Network Inc. one million dollars on September 30, 2026, under the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program (CFDA 93.997) to implement the Community Stabilization Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program in Gaston County, North Carolina.

The program delivers individualized, evidence-based community-based treatment for at least 225 adults with serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders over five years. A multidisciplinary team including case managers, peer support specialists, licensed clinicians, and SOAR workers provides care using critical time intervention, motivational interviewing, psychiatric advance directives, and community services. The program targets individuals requiring court-supported treatment to improve engagement and reduce repeated crises, hospitalizations, and justice involvement. Expected outcomes include improved treatment retention and satisfaction, reduced emergency department visits, reduced hospitalizations, reduced suicidal ideation, and reduced incarceration.

The award runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2031, with place of performance in Gastonia, North Carolina. The program emphasizes person-centered care and reduced coercion while supporting treatment adherence and fidelity monitoring.

Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) program for individuals with SMI - a safe place empowerment network (ASPEN) proposes the community stabilization assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) program in gaston county, north carolina, serving at least 225 adults with serious mental illness or CO-occurring disorders over five years. The program targets individuals requiring court-supported treatment to improve engagement and reduce repeated crises, hospitalizations, and justice involvement. A multidisciplinary team, including case managers, peer support specialists, licensed clinicians, and soar workers, will provide individualized, evidence-based care using critical time intervention, motivational interviewing, psychiatric advance directives, and other community services. The program emphasizes person-centered care, reduced coercion, treatment adherence, and fidelity, with expected outcomes including improved retention, satisfaction, recovery, and reductions in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, suicidal ideation, and incarceration.