Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Program (FACT)

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

The Telecare San Bernardino Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Program (FACT) is a program contracted with the County of San Bernardino Department of behavioral Health. The program opened in March of 2008, and has provided services to 78 adults who have both severe and persistent metal illnesses as well as extensive histories of contacts with the criminal justice system. Case management, mental health rehabilitation, and medication support services are provided primarily in the community where the clients live, using a “whatever-it-takes” individualized approach based on each client’s hopes and dreams. An on-call after-hours crisis line is available 24/7. In-house group therapy and peer-run Dual Recovery Anonymous meetings are held weekly. A probation officer is assigned to work full time with the treatment team in order to improve coordination between the mental health and criminal justice systems. Clients receive advocacy services from staff in five Mental Health Courts throughout the County of San Bernardino. Graduation from mental health Court may result in a reduction of felony charges and a chance for clients to have a “fresh start” on their road to recovery. Outcomes are evaluated based on the program’s ability to reduce the number of re-incarcerations and psychiatric hospitalizations.