Ready to Launch
New self-guided online training materials help communities set up AOT.
The Treatment Advocacy Center, in partnership with the American Psychiatric Association (APA), launched an eight-part series of online learning modules on assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) in May 2020. Since then, 182 people have participated in the modules from all over the country.
AOT is the practice of providing community-based mental health treatment under civil court order to individuals with SMI who have demonstrated difficulty engaging with treatment on a voluntary basis. When properly implemented and resourced, AOT can dramatically reduce hospitalization, criminalization and other adverse outcomes for its target population.
“We are delighted with the initial response to the modules. It is especially gratifying to see such a wide variety of stakeholders making use of them, from all types of communities,” said Amy Lukes, project coordinator at Treatment Advocacy Center. “But we view the modules as only a starting point, allowing AOT implementers to get the basics covered before receiving more detailed and personalized technical assistance directly from our team.”
The modules are the first guide to systematic implementation of AOT. Its online format allows the program to reach a wide audience from New York all the way to Texas and California with diverse backgrounds in in social work, psychology, psychiatry, research and nursing, among various others. Reviews of the modules have been positive, and participants have found the modules to be beneficial to improving the AOT programs in their communities.
“The AOT modules were an essential part of our community’s efforts to get our program up and running. The modules were easy to navigate and well thought out to provide both a general understanding of the program and essential content for getting a program started,” said Laura Fullenkamp, an assistant clinical professor for the criminal justice program at Bowling Green State University. “Our community used the material from the implementation section to assist in our planning discussions as we developed our policies and procedures for the program. Points arose from the content that we would have certainly missed otherwise, making this resource a must have in our process. The modules were something that we referred back to as we planned each section, and the resources included within provided helpful examples for us to use and further our knowledge.”
“We are delighted with the initial response to the modules. It is especially gratifying to see such a wide variety of stakeholders making use of them, from all types of communities,” said Amy Lukes, project coordinator at Treatment Advocacy Center. “But we view the modules as only a starting point, allowing AOT implementers to get the basics covered before receiving more detailed and personalized technical assistance directly from our team.”
The modules are the first guide to systematic implementation of AOT. Its online format allows the program to reach a wide audience from New York all the way to Texas and California with diverse backgrounds in in social work, psychology, psychiatry, research and nursing, among various others. Reviews of the modules have been positive, and participants have found the modules to be beneficial to improving the AOT programs in their communities.
“The AOT modules were an essential part of our community’s efforts to get our program up and running. The modules were easy to navigate and well thought out to provide both a general understanding of the program and essential content for getting a program started,” said Laura Fullenkamp, an assistant clinical professor for the criminal justice program at Bowling Green State University. “Our community used the material from the implementation section to assist in our planning discussions as we developed our policies and procedures for the program. Points arose from the content that we would have certainly missed otherwise, making this resource a must have in our process. The modules were something that we referred back to as we planned each section, and the resources included within provided helpful examples for us to use and further our knowledge.”
Even though AOT has been authorized by law in nearly every state, implementation in many communities has been lacking. The learning modules provide practical guidance on establishing and maintaining successful AOT programs in communities across the country. The modules are divided into two courses: Basic Concepts and Principles (modules 1-3) and Implementation (modules 4-8).
“I appreciate all the work the [Treatment Advocacy Center] team is doing to ensure the AOT program truly impacts communities across the nation in a meaningful way,” said April Corral, a recovery and community integration director with Emergence Health Network of El Paso, Texas. “The team also ensures that county differences in process or implementation are considered. The modules offer a clear picture as to the overall purpose and mission of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program. After much reading and research, it was such a relief to complete the modules and really visualize all the different parts that make this program work.”
To learn more about the AOT implementation learning modules and to join the #MissionForBetter, visit www.SMIadviser.org.