Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

ACT is an effective, evidence-based, recovery-oriented mental health service delivery model that utilizes a trans-disciplinary team approach providing intensive outreach-oriented services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders.  Utilizing a client-centered approach, team members are responsible for addressing the needs of consumers and carry low caseloads to allow for individualized care and frequent contracts (1:10 staffing ratio).  Ideally, services are available 24/7 and are directed to consumer needs with most (75%) treatment services delivered in the community.  ACT is ideally suited for people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders or bipolar disorder, who have difficulty with role functioning and frequently access high intensity services (e.g., inpatient, jail).

Through the menu to the right, you can learn about the SPIRIT lab’s various work supporting ACT implementation in Washington state as well as nationally. To learn more about Current Trends in ACT Research and Practice, watch this 90-minute keynote and panel presentation led by Dr. Maria Monroe-DeVita.

In addition to our work within Washington State, we also support the SAMHSA-funded Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (NW-MHTTC), which has a national focus on evidence-based practices for individuals with serious mental illness, including ACT. You can use these links to learn more about our focus on ACT as well as see a list of Northwest MHTTC training resources.