Consumers' perceptions of forensic assertive community treatment

The evidence for forensic assertive community treatment (FACT) is promising; however, a number of gaps in our knowledge about FACT remain. For example, only one study in the extant literature includes the perspectives of FACT consumers and more information about what consumers like and/or dislike about FACT is needed.

To address this gap in our knowledge, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 FACT consumers from four FACT teams in Ohio. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed and open coding analysis techniques were used to identify themes.

Findings suggest most consumers have no complaints or dislikes about FACT and found housing assistance, access to mental health services, and access to medication and psychiatrists particularly helpful.

FACT consumers have profound needs and teams must be prepared to provide a wide array of intensive services, especially in early stages of intervention. Collaborations with local Housing First or other initiatives may be particularly important to facilitate consumer engagement and build therapeutic rapport. This study contributes to the growing literature on FACT; however, more research is needed about how FACT needs to be adapted to serve justice-involved consumers, the critical ingredients of FACT, and FACT's impact on psychiatric functioning and other outcomes.