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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Gary Cuddeback, PhD, MSW and Joseph Morrissey, PhD. Program on Mental Health Services Research, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, 725 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., CB#7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, 9199660995, cuddeback@mail.schsr.unc.edu

Purpose: Throughout the country, Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams have been developed to keep persons with severe mental illness out of jail; however, little information exists about FACT eligibility criteria and who is served by FACT. How different are jail-based samples typical of FACT from community-based samples that are typical of ACT? Does enrollment site make a difference on who is served and what their needs are? This study proposes one definition of FACT eligibility and compares the demographic, clinical, and criminal justice profiles of ACT and FACT consumers.

Methods: Administrative data from health, mental health and substance abuse providers and the local jail from King County, Washington were used to identify 743 ACT-eligible persons and 641 FACT-eligible persons over a 5.5-year study period (1993 – 1998).

Results: Compared to ACT consumers, FACT consumers were more often male (51% vs. 74% for ACT and FACT, respectively), persons of color (15% vs. 40%) and more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia (69% vs. 74%), psychosis (34% vs. 49%), antisocial (9% vs. 20%), and co-occurring substance abuse disorders (67% vs. 75%). Also, FACT consumers were more likely to have experienced homelessness (19% vs. 46%) and have been charged with violent crimes (17% vs. 64%).

Conclusions: Enrollment site does result in distinctive profiles. FACT consumers may present additional challenges that require treatment teams to have specialized competencies, engagement strategies, and interventions that go beyond those of the typical ACT team. This information is important for communities who are planning to develop FACT teams.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to discuss the demographic, clinical and criminal justice characteristics of consumers of FACT and ACT.

Keywords: Mental Health Services, Mental Illness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered