Assisted Outpatient Treatment

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

In 2008, Nevada county behavioral Health faced a tough task: convincing some individuals with untreated mental illnesses that they were in need of treatment. The Nevada County Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program offered a unique solution that bridged the gap for people that are dangerous and in need of treatment, but do not meet criteria for emergency involuntary hospitalization. Nevada County was the first, and is currently the only California County to fully implement this program. Of 24 eligible referrals over the past 31 months, 19 met program selection criteria in varying degrees and continue to receive AOT. Data from the Milestones of Recovery Scale indicated that 50 percent of the candidates succeeded with recovery, and are stable and receiving voluntary intensive mental health treatment. Program costs of $482,443 were offset by savings estimated at $986,064, based on decreased hospitalization costs and reduced incarcerations in local County Jail. This represents a total net savings to the county of $503,621.