On October 10-11, 2019, nearly 250 advocates, officials and family members gathered in Columbus, Ohio, for the first National AOT Symposium and Learning Collaborative. The purpose of the free event was to provide a road map on how to implement effective AOT programs and improve existing programs. Communities were encouraged to send teams made up of judges, mental health professionals, attorneys, advocates, family members, and individuals living with mental illness to hear from the experts and discuss concerns, challenges and successes with their counterparts. Participants reported coming away with a strong sense of purpose and eagerness to put the knowledge they gained into action by growing and improving the AOT programs in their communities.
During the Symposium, the Treatment Advocacy Center, in conjunction with the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), unveiled the first-of-its-kind AOT implementation white paper. It is our hope that this document, Implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment: Essential Elements, Building Blocks and Tips for Maximizing Results, will serve as the definitive informational starting point for anyone interested in implementing a quality AOT program and will help ensure AOT becomes a routine practice of every mental health system in the U.S.
The white paper was developed in partnership with the American Psychiatric Association’s SMI Adviser, funding for which is provided through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The national AOT symposium was sponsored by Peg's Foundation, a long-time Treatment Advocacy Center partner whose mission is to improve the lives of people with serious mental illness by investing in innovative projects in Northeast Ohio having national transformational impact.
Links to other resources shared or referenced at the Symposium are available below. For additional information on AOT implementation, please visit our Implementation Home Page.
White Paper
Complete PowerPoint Presentation
Conference Program
