Florida Assertive Community Treatment Teams (FACT)
Program Description
FACT Teams strive to help adults diagnosed with serious mental illness by supporting independent, integrated living in the community. FACT Teams provide care in the office or where people live and are available 24/7.
The goal of FACT Teams is to prevent crisis situations and hospitalizations by improving community involvement and overall quality of life.
Program Eligibility
FACT Teams deliver comprehensive care to adults aged 18 and over who:
- Are experiencing serious mental illness, primarily diagnosed with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; and
- Have a prior history of multiple behavioral health placements and hospitalizations or episodes of involvement with law enforcement; and
- Have several characteristics impacting their ability to function within their community without significant assistance from others.
FACT Teams are expected to prioritize enrolling participants directly discharged from a State Mental Health Treatment Facility.
Where to find services
There are 39 FACT Teams providing services to individuals throughout the state. To find a team that serves your county, visit the Specialty Treatment Team Maps (Link to the Multidisciplinary Treatment Team Maps).
Treatment Team Staff
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a widely recognized and effective evidence-based practice. FACT uses a team of individuals to comprehensively address the needs of the participants that includes:
- A Team Leader,
- Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Advanced Nurse Practitioner,
- Nursing Staff,
- Certified Peer Specialist,
- Substance Abuse Specialist,
- Vocational Specialist,
- Case Manager, and
- Administrative Assistant.
Services Offered
FACT Teams provide a range of services that are recovery-oriented, strengths-based, and person-centered to improve individual functioning.
A few of the services offered by FACT Teams are described below:
Crisis Intervention
Crisis intervention is a short-term intervention used to address an immediate mental health emergency, stabilize the individual in crisis, and create and implement a safe, appropriate plan for next steps and future treatment.
Comprehensive Assessment and Recovery Planning
Assessment specifically includes efforts to identify the person’s key medical and psychological needs, competency to consent to treatment, history of mental illness or substance use and indicators of co-occurring conditions, as well as clinically significant neurological deficits, traumatic brain injury, physical disability, developmental disability, need for assistive devices, and physical or sexual abuse or trauma.
Natural Support Network Development
Natural support network development is the process of establishing and strengthening personal associations and relationships, typically developed in the community, that enhance the quality and security of life for recipients. A natural support network may include family relationships; friendships reflecting the diversity of the neighborhood and the community; association with fellow students or employees in regular classrooms and workplaces; and associations developed through participation in clubs, organizations, and other religious and civic activities.
Case Management
The primary case manager, along with the team, coordinates care, advocates on behalf of the participant, and provides access to a variety of services and supports, such as primary health care, basic needs such as housing and transportation, educational and employment services, and legal services.
Family Engagement and Education
With consent of the participant, families are engaged in the treatment process and are educated on topics related to their family member’s recovery goals, diagnosis, and illness management.
Psychiatric Services
Psychiatric services include psychiatric evaluation, prescribing, administering and reviewing medications and their side effects, including medication management, as well as supports and training to the recipient.
Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitation services are provided by FACT Team members. These services provide structured, community-based services delivered in an individual or group setting. These services utilize behavioral, cognitive, or supportive interventions to improve a recipient’s potential for establishing and maintaining social relationships and obtaining occupational or educational achievements. Rehabilitation services are provided to restore a recipient’s skills and abilities necessary for independent living.
Substance Use and Co-occurring Services
Both mental health and substance use needs are addressed through integrated screening and assessment, stage of change readiness determination, and therapeutic interventions consistent with the participant’s readiness to change behaviors. The treatment approach is based on motivational interviewing and is non-judgmental, encourages engagement, and does not make sobriety a condition of continued treatment.
Therapy
Clinicians provide and coordinate individual, group, and family therapy services. The type, frequency and location of therapy provided are based on individual needs and utilize empirically supported techniques for that individual and their symptoms and behaviors.
Wellness Management and Recovery Services
The team assists participants to develop personalized strategies for managing their wellness, set and pursue personal goals, learn information and skills to develop a sense of mastery over their psychiatric illness, and help them put strategies into action in their everyday lives.
Transportation Assistance
Staff assists with transportation to medical appointments, court hearings, or other related activities outlined in the care plan.
Supported Housing
The team assists the participant in accessing affordable, safe, permanent housing of their choice through provision of multiple housing options with assured tenancy rights regardless of progress or success in services.
Competency Training
For participants who are adjudicated incompetent to proceed, the team will provide competency restoration training and assist the participant through the legal process.