Program design is inclusive of service coordination, rehabilitative services, psychiatric services, nursing services, medication management, housing support, substance abuse treatment, and vocational services. The ACT team also works with families to provide education and support. The ACT team maintains 24-hour responsibility and availability for covering and managing psychiatric crisis for ACT consumers. Team staffing includes 4 hours of dedicated psychiatrist time per week per 20 consumers served and there is at least one registered nurse providing direct services. A typical ACT team consumer has schizophrenia or another serious mental illness such as Bipolar disorder or Major Depression and has experienced multiple psychiatric hospital admissions either at the state or community level.
Costs differ around the state based on cost of living and salaries.
ACT services were provided to 2,778 individuals in FY 1999. Longitudinal studies consistently produce positive outcomes for the system, consumers and families. Consumers and family members of consumers receiving ACT services continue to relate the positive impact of ACT upon their satisfaction with overall mental health services. The most recognized benefit since program implementation has been the reduction in hospitalization of high system utilizers.