Assertive Community Treatment

Assertive Community Treatment

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based service model that provides intensive community-based treatment for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) who have needs that affect their daily functioning. ACT is not intended for individuals with needs primarily related to a traumatic brain injury, developmental disability, or personality disorder. Research shows that individuals with SPMI who receive ACT are more likely to spend less time in hospitals and have more successful community integration.

The ACT program is intended for individuals who show signs of ongoing high service needs. Evidence of high service needs may include:

• Going to a mental health hospital two or more times per year or needing emergency services for mental health.
• Ongoing major mental health needs, such as depression, psychosis, or thoughts of self-harm. 
• Recent arrest of involvement with the police or courts.
• Lives in a supervised community home but could live more independently with intensive support serves.
• Has difficulty with using regular in-office or other community-based mental health services. 

The Yamhill County ACT is made up of a team of mental health providers from various disciplines who offer mental health education and counseling, substance use treatment, peer support, living skills training, assistance accessing needed resources, supported employment and education services, psychiatric evaluation, crisis services, and medication support.

Assertive Community Treatment Referral Form

Please email completed referral forms to CSSreferrals@yamhillcounty.gov.

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to engage clients in a collaborative partnership to promote personal recovery and well-being, decrease psychological and emotional distress, decrease and stabilize symptoms, and promote increased community living and personal independence.

Our philosophy is to provide individualized and voluntary services that promote hope and recovery and empower each person to reach their full potential. Services are provided in a comprehensive and holistic manner to ensure that people with mental illness have access to the level of services they need to maximize their quality of life.

The range of treatment and services is comprehensive and flexible. The majority of interventions take place out of the office and within the community (e.g., in the client's own residence and neighborhood, at employment sites in the community, and in other places of leisure such as coffee shops, parks, restaurants, etc.).

Choice Model

The Choice Model, which has also been known as the Adult Mental Health Initiative (AMHI) and the Community Integration Initiative (CII), was initiated in September of 2010.

The target population for the Choice Model is individuals over 18 years of age who:

• Are currently residing at the Oregon State Hospital; or
• Are currently residing in a licensed community-based setting; or
• Have been civilly committed and accepted on the Oregon State Hospital waitlist

For individuals who reside in Yamhill County, Yamhill County Adult Behavioral Health provides oversight and care coordination for clients within the targeted population. The goal is to ensure that clients receive consistent access to services that help the individual live in the least restrictive environment possible.

We strive to provide services and supports that promote hope and recovery, while also empowering each individual to reach their full potential and fully integrate into our community. Principles of recovery, wellness, and person-centered planning are integral in our Choice Model work.