Enhancing Implementation of a Multisystem Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program to Support Positive Mental Health...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Work
• Mental Health Services Research

Background:

• Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) programs aim to improve care for adults with serious mental illness (SMI).
• Coordinating multiple care systems for AOT clients presents significant challenges.
• Untreated SMI can lead to increased emergency psychiatric care and legal system involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of multisystem liaisons in the Houston AOT Program.
• To explore how social workers can be integrated as liaisons to improve client care.
• To reduce provider burden in managing AOT clients' complex needs.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of multisystem liaisons, including social workers, within the Houston AOT Program.
• Liaisons coordinated client referrals, enrollment, and ongoing service provision.
• Collaboration between liaisons, public health providers, and probate court staff.

Main Results:

• Multisystem liaisons significantly reduced provider burden related to hospital and court documentation.
• Enhanced coordination of care for high-need clients with SMI.
• Facilitated smoother referral, enrollment, and service provision processes.

Conclusions:

• Integrating social workers as multisystem liaisons can enhance care delivery in AOT programs.
• Multisystem liaisons are effective in reducing provider burden and improving client outcomes.
• Recommendations are provided for integrating social workers into joint mental health and civil commitment programs.