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The Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) model has been in existence nationally for nearly 30 years and is an effective, evidenced-based, outreach-oriented, service delivery model using a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week approach to community-based mental health services. PACT delivers comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services to consumers in their homes, at work and in community settings. The program reaches clients that traditional services can’t seem to engage. A major goal of PACT is to reduce the need for inpatient care by providing assistance with basic needs, increasing medication adherence, keeping families together, and securing competitive employment.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) recognizes PACT as the leading treatment model of choice for people with severe mental illness. Over 40 states across the country have adopted the PACT model. NAMI represents the driving force behind Oklahoma’s PACT initiative and continues to pursue additional funding, along with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) and other mental health advocates, to expand PACT program capacity in Oklahoma.
A PACT program is a self-contained clinical program that assures the fixed point of responsibility for providing treatment, rehabilitation and support services to consumers with serious mental illnesses. The PACT team uses an integrated service approach to merge clinical and rehabilitation staff expertise, such as psychiatric, substance abuse, and employment, within one service delivery team, and is supervised by a qualified program director. Accordingly, there is minimal referral of consumers to other program entities for treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. The PACT staff is responsible to ensure services are continuously available in natural settings for the consumer, in a manner that is courteous, helpful and respectful.
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